Adam Boulton blogs…

“Two important sectors of our society now feel under a great deal of pressure, beset by plunging fortunes and public esteem: newspapers and politicians. As they go down they are turning in on each other with increasing viciousness – politician against journalist, politician against polititian, journalist against journalist.”

The weekday lunchtime Boulton & Co news show has started this week, it has a lot of that U.S. style presenters walking around talking to each other stuff, news, interviews and a bit of chat. So far it has had no fireworks. The first reactions suggest that it could do with a bit more pace and excitement. That is what the producers must have in mind bringing Alastair onto the show with Adam this afternoon. Will it kick off again?

Will Adam miss the open-goal presented by Campbell now finally admitting he was behind the “psychologically flawed“ line about Brown that he denied over and over again. Will Adam hold him to account over his lying?

Have just watched Adam Boulton’s interview with Gordon this morning. (Replay is available by pressing the red button on Sky News). Adam was firm with Gordon, calling him on his credit boom being responsible for the bust, effectively questioning his lying and twisting of Osborne’s words in his speech. Brown looked shifty and uncomfortable, quoting from his notes and saying that everyone has got it wrong except him. Boulton reminded Brown that in a previous interview he had told him explicitly no one would lose out over the abolition of the 10p tax rate – that was untrue. Brown glowered. Jeff Randall also gave Brown a tough interview earlier in the week on Sky News as well.

Andy Marr should watch and learn how it is done.