WHAT was all that about? Damian Green, a senior Tory frontbench MP, being arrested by anti-terror police and held for nine hours over alleged information leaks to the press.

No 10 denies it, but the police would surely not have behaved like this without Gordon Brown's approval or knowledge. Would they?

I've met Mr Green. He seems decent. But I would not wish this treatment even on a thoroughly bad man – not over such a trivial issue.

The BBC's website quotes Mr Brown as follows: "I had no prior knowledge, the Home Secretary had no prior knowledge, I know of no other minister who had any prior knowledge."

Pull the other one, Gordon.

Labour MP Dennis McShane apparently said: "I am not sure this is good for British democracy."

Dennis may not be sure. But we can be. It isn't!