Guido understands that the plates are starting to move within the Portsmouth LibDems concerning the disgraced Mike Hancock, who is not only their MP but also a senior councillor. The LibDem Council Leader Gerald Vernon Jackson was said to have been rallying support for the battered MP at his Christmas Party on Saturday night. However just hours later the Sunday paper bombardment hit the news stands, rendering the efforts in vain.

Guido has heard of more than a little disquiet from various Liberal Democrats today who are extremely unhappy with the situation. Vernon Jackson isn’t helping matters by refusing to take emergency questions, or even discuss Mr Hancock’s predicaments at tomorrow’s council meeting.

So not only do Clegg, the LibDem whips and Cowley Street have their head in the sand over the liability on their benches, it seems the LibDems are willing to turn a blind eye at every level. Hancock is a wrong ‘un and the longer he is allowed to remain a LibDem MP, the more he will bring his already beleaguered party into disrepute.