Poor old Damian McBride, Lord Mandelson shakes his head in his Third Man book and says that McPoison was trouble waiting to happen – as he had warned Gordon.

Damian has told people that he will do two years of penance (in a Catholic school) and then come back. Guido understands that he offered his services to the struggling Ed Balls campaign. Ed Balls told him “thanks, but no thanks”, he didn’t want him anywhere near the campaign. Labour sources say the realisation that he is too toxic even for Ed Balls has driven home to him that he is finished in politics for ever.

Should have written those memoirs when they had some value Damian…