trousers

Osbourne is saying that Balls "has questions to answer". Seems a reasonable stance to me. I think we'd all agree that any government in power when something like this was going on under their noses would have questions to answer. Of course, he may have been implying that he thinks Balls was fully aware of the conversations that his fellow ministers were having with this Bank of England chap who in turn was pressurising Barclays to think about what they could be doing differently with the Libor rate, but, being a politician Osbourne stopped short of a direct accusation. That's what all politicians are good at... saying what they want people to hear without actually saying it.

All the best sir. My thoughts are with you.

^ This

The way I read the Spectator quote is that Osbourne was saying that Balls must have known which ministers Diamond was referring to, not that it was Balls himself that spoke to the Bank of England chap. When read in full context I think it can be interpreted both ways.

Incorrect. Allow me to correct you if I may... :-) http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cost_of_the_Olympic_Games#section_1

Come on now Mr Allen...time to reveal that you're an undercover 'scummer' ... There can't be any other explanation as to why you keep feeding our nutjob like obsession with Pompey related mirth day in day out

Good track covering ;-)

Being an international striker for a country in the top 20 FIFA rankings probably gives him more top trump points than our other (non-international) strikers. There again, oranges aren't the same colour and texture as apples so that could be me spouting a load of tripe for once.

That's actually quite clever. Might try that myself

Jeremy Clarkson ‏@jcrclarksonesq Oh no. I've just seen a man with a beard heading down the M4 towards London, which is where the Olympics are being held. Police matter?

Sky Sports ‏@SkySports Scottish Football League clubs will meet on Friday, July 13 to vote whether to accept newco Rangers into the league. Full story to follow.

Glasgow stole it first.... ;-)

The good name of the pot noodle has been cleared...! Sky News Newsdesk ‏@SkyNewsBreak Staffordshire Police: Report of vapour escaping from bag on board coach on M6 toll turned out to be health improvement aid for smokers

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/07/03/london-2012-olympics-will-deliver-boost-to-economy-lloyds-banking-group-16bn_n_1645168.html

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/9800702.County_NHS_service_in_good_health/?ref=twt&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

@jordansibley: @skysports_ed We will have the red carpet out for your arrival

Probably some guy with a thermos of hot water and a pot noodle for the trip!

Luke Dowling's first day at the office....

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/pompey-past/recruitment-chief-calls-for-fans-not-to-panic-over-player-signings-1-4019909

@officialsaints: #SaintsFC's opening-day visit to @MCFC rearranged for Sunday 19th August (4pm kick-off) and will be shown live on Sky Sports. @officialsaints: Home game against #MUFC also selected by Sky Sports. Match now kicks off at St Mary's on Sunday 2nd September at 4pm. #saintsfc @officialsaints: Visit of @FulhamFC moved to Sunday 7th October (1:30pm kick-off) and will be shown live on Sky Sports. #saintsfc @officialsaints: Finally, #SaintsFC's trip to @WBAFCofficial has been rearranged for Monday 5th November with an 8pm kick-off time.

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/pompey-past/wind-battered-appleton-vows-to-ride-out-the-pompey-storm-1-4012559

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/pompey-past/same-old-pre-season-story-for-pompey-1-4019834

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/pompey-past/birch-optimistic-over-mokoena-agreement-1-4019910

Diamond was trying to preserve his chance of getting a knighthood....

Anyway, I'm sure Cortese is delighted with the extra publicity...his minions probably planted the article themselves.... ;-)