It never ceases to amaze Guido how many MPs get away with shagging twentysomething research assistants. It is a tradition which is unlikely to change unless human nature changes. In Washington the pages who act as runners are often teenagers, a temptation which proved too much for the now disgraced Congressman Foley.

Instant messaging allows instant gratification, for Foley who likes “to grab the one-eyed snake” it meant he could have some online jollies with a young dumb page, at one point his young friend has to quit because “my mom is yelling”. Full transcript here.