Wednesday 8 January 2003

Oh dear

The First Minister's fall yesterday wasn't quite as accidental as was thought:
Despite an official clampdown on information, the Evening News has learned that workers at Bute House took the decision to use hot water rather than grit or salt to clean the steps of the Charlotte Square premises on Monday morning.
Note the bureaucratic response:
Today a spokesman for the Scottish Executive was keen to play down the latest incident. He said: "We are not aware of it happening. It didn’t appear that water had been poured on the steps and the weather conditions were particularly icy."
Imagine the kudos they would get if someone just said: "Yes there was a screw-up. We won't do it again."

No chance of that.