“I would like to be in Israel right now. And I nearly went to Israel last weekend. I was going to go out on the Sunday and come back on the Wednesday. And, you know, do at least a few days before coming back to do Strictly. So there are practical considerations around this. You are torn in that you would like to be out in the story right now. And the fact that I’ve committed to this other thing means that it’s not that easy. But as soon as I’m out of Strictly, I’m sure I’ll be out there and doing that. But in the meantime, in a strange way, and I’m sure it’s very hard to understand. I actually find it’s kind of helps me switch into both serious and Strictly quicker, having these two very intense things going on at the same time.”

Jacob Rees-Mogg has been freed from the burden of collective responsibility and is back to doing what he does best: criticising government from the backbenches. Speaking to Krishnan Guru-Murthy on Channel 4 News last night, the former Business Secretary spoke out against fiscal drag and the absence of commitments on efficiency reforms. He added he was “simply making the case for conservatism”.

Unsurprisingly, Krishnan then asked about the prospect of re-joining the EU, citing OBR figures on the impact of Brexit. Jacob rightly pointed out that economic forecasts are often inaccurate, before saying Krishnan was “Just like Nicola Sturgeon” for seeking to go back on referendum results. He then reminded Krishnan of his expletive antics and commended the fact he made an apology. Krishnan was able to get through this interview without resorting to abuse. Clearly his time off has done wonders for his temperament.

Since last night Jeremy Hunt did have time to react to criticism from the right. Speaking to Sky News this morning Hunt said:

“There is nothing conservative about spending money you haven’t got. There is nothing conservative about not tackling inflation. There is nothing conservative about ducking difficult decisions… and that’s why this is a very conservative package”

If he says so…

Channel 4 have benched Krishnan Guru-Murthy for a week after his awkward hot-mic moment last night with Steve Baker. The broadcaster announced:

“C4 has a strict code of conduct for all its employees, including its programming teams and on-air presenters, and takes any breaches seriously. Following an off-air incident Channel 4 News anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy has been taken off air for a week.”

What is this country coming to when you can’t call an MP a c*nt?

Krishnan Guru-Murthy was caught out in a telling off-air blunder following a Downing Street heckling match with Minister Steve Baker last night. After a testy exchange, he was caught saying “what a c**t” in reference to the Northern Ireland Minister. The unguarded incident only exposes what co-conspirators already know about Channel 4’s editorial balance. It doesn’t exist.

Of course he did then offer a grovelling apology, saying it was “beneath the standards I set myself”. Steve came off much the better party as he graciously accepted the overture. A lesson in Channel 4’s kinder, gentler politics…

UPDATE: Krishnan isn’t the only media personality making c**t-y mistakes…

Marina Hyde has a new book out based on her often hilariously opinionated and searing columns – usually decrying Brexit and roasting the political players involved. In a real turn up for the books, the Guardian columnist has some sound opinions that Guido heartily agrees with – particularly on the Guidoisation of politics. This is the idea that democratic politics, which has long been recognised as a branch of show business for ugly people, is increasingly a sub-genre of reality television, with interchangeable characters. That’s not a particularly left/right belief.

In an interview about the book she argues that generally we have an “unbelievably bad crop of politicians”. More specifically soundly, when Channel 4’s Krishnan Guru-Murthy asks the classic beauty pageant contestant’s question, “If you could change anything in the world, what would you change now?”, instead of calling for world peace, Marina calls for the simplification of the tax system, implicitly endorsing a long standing policy goal of the Taxpayers’ Alliance. She praises Hong Kong’s slimmed-down system, which whilst progressively starting at 2%, goes up to a maximum top rate of just 17%. It also has clear and simple tax rules with few loopholes. James Roberts, managing director of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, says “It’s heart-warming to hear of comrade columnists now calling out the complex and burdensome tax system. Get in touch and we’ll sign you up!” Something to splurge the royalties on, Marina.

“What Just Happened?!: Dispatches from Turbulent Times” – Marina Hyde