An exceptionally well-placed source whispers to Guido that the Speaker has tried, perhaps successfully, to broker a meeting between Julian Lewis with Dame Joan Ruddock to help him seek Labour support for his bid for Defence Select Committee Chairmanship. Also, Bercow called Lewis in Defence Questions yesterday, despite  him not being on the Order Paper – just as he did at last week’s PMQs. It would appear the neutral Speaker of the House is doing his utmost to help out his old chum and campaign manager.