The Gordon Horror Picture Show

I picked up one of the free toot papers on the way home from work today because I wanted to find out the latest in the MPs expenses scandal and do a nice easy crossword. I spotted a story about PM Gordon Brown that really made me feel sorry for him a bit.

Having had a probably the worst month in world political history without being overthrown by the army, people or opposition, I didn't think it was possible for anything else to happen that could generate more ridicule on his behalf.

I was wrong. A junior civil servant left papers in a taxi which amongst other things contained a photocopy of instructions for the PM explaining to him how to apply his make-up correctly. I am reliably told that it was straight out of the beauticians handbook and even included a layer of fake tan to make him appear more healthy.

The thing is, I know and appreciate why make-up is worn legitimately by male public figures for TV appearances but it didn't stop a certain image entering my head. Perhaps that says more about me than the PM. After all I know that the idea of him in sexy underwear is normally an abhorrent prospect, but at the end of the day on the train home from work, who knows, who cares, it made me laugh as I pondered the possibility of him getting his instructions mixed up with with those of Jacqui, Harriet or Tessa!