Another Sir Humphrey tantrum courtesy of Sue Cameron in the Telegraph today. Attacking shadowy briefings yet anonymously urging their favourite pet to have a pop is rich even by mandarin standards:

“Watching ministers publicly rubbishing their senior civil servants, either in general terms or, even worse, by name, is an unedifying spectacle. It is also a puzzle. The ministers bring themselves into disrepute; they sour relations inside government; they undermine the reputation of officials who cannot defend themselves; and they make it twice as hard for Whitehall to attract high-calibre outsiders. Well, would you want to work for such a shabby bunch?”

Even Andrew Mitchell helpfully provides a quote, keeping the civil servants he needs to approve his potential job in Europe sweet:

“This behind-the-hand rubbishing of public servants is extremely unattractive.”

Come back Steve Hilton, all is forgiven…