UKIP might be barking up the wrong tree selecting Roger Helmer in Newark, but it is the Tories who have suffered the first casualty of next month’s by-election. Therese Coffey has been in hospital this afternoon after being bitten by a pugnacious pooch while out canvassing.

She tells Guido the unfortunate incident was the “first time in 25 years of campaigning. It was a little terrier.” It happened while she was “giving it a treat, so it was literally biting the hand that fed it”.

Fortunately she was checked out after minor treatment. Guido sends his best wishes…