There is a fairly incredible editorial in this morning’s Telegraph that challenges the Prime Minister to fire his Chief Whip:

“It is, of course, unfair that a successful ministerial career should end thanks to an intemperate outburst. Certainly, Mr Mitchell is entitled to feel aggrieved at the role played by the Police Federation. Whether or not its officers were complicit in the row first becoming public, they have done everything possible to stoke it since, as part of a wider campaign against the Government’s police reforms. Yet that – like the question of what was actually said that day – is almost beside the point. In the end, it is not so much a matter of principle as of politics. If he stays, Mr Mitchell can do little good, and much damage. For the sake of his party, he should do the decent thing and stand down.”

Guido suspects such demands from the press might stiffen the Prime Minister’s resolve. If Mitchell does go this afternoon, questions are likely to be asked about who is really running the show…