International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell is a master of his own spin. At any one time over the last two years he’s been a contender for Defence, the Foreign Office or the position of Chief Whip. The latter was the only idea not greeted with howls of derision and the weekend’s papers were full of the speculation that David Davis’ former campaign manager could be about to spin himself into the job. The position of keeping the troops in line requires a paragon of virtue – or the closest thing you can get to that in Parliament – so there is an interesting turn of phrase from Ben Brogan this morning on the subject:

“He’s admired in No 10, but even his friends recognise that Thrasher’s bedside manner might not be to everyone’s taste.”

Whatever could he mean?