What would Michael Dobbs' reaction be?
It must have grated with Michael Dobbs that for years people have been making comparisons between him and Jeffrey Archer. Both Conservative novelists etc.
Dobbs, creator of the fictional character Sir Francis Urquhart, is no fan of Archer. He knows too much.
Indeed, on the night the News of the World did their expose on Archer and the prostitute back in 1986, Central Office was desperate to get advance sight of the article. Dobbs was then working as chief-of-staff to the Conservative chairman Norman Tebbit, and was despatched down to Wapping to try and get hold of an early copy of the paper. He succeeded, persuading one of the lorry-drivers to give him one.
Now finally, is Dobbs finally getting his reward for that, and subsequent work and donations to the Conservative cause? I did think of ringing him to ask.
Why bother, I thought. I know the answer right now: "You could say that, Michael, I couldn't possibly comment."
I'm Michael Crick, and I'm Newsnight's political editor. My guiding rule is that in any story there's usually something the politicians would prefer the world not to know. My job is to find that out. Follow me on
Comment number 1.
At 19th Nov 2010, stevie wrote:if I was Michael Crick I would stay away from the House of Commons roof.....
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Comment number 2.
At 20th Nov 2010, telecasterdave wrote:No skeletons in your cupboard then Michael?
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