Archer plot twist

The Tories, understandably, are a bit frazzled going into the British general election

The Tories, understandably, are a bit frazzled going into the British general election. On day one of the campaign, Wednesday, some party workers were gathered together. One announced that the Lord Archer trial, for perverting the course of justice and perjury, starts next week and will run for several weeks. Not good news. Well, said another: "Jeffrey will have to do the f***ing gentlemanly thing." "And what's that?" "Drop dead."

Quidnunc can be contacted at rholohan@irish-times.ie