Head of steam

Joy of joys. David Hooper, a lawyer who has been advising Earl Spencer, has submitted a 15-page dossier to Ofcom, alleging that the BBC broke its own rules on fair dealing with contributors, when Martin Bashir persuaded the Earl to make his case for an interview the Princess Of Wales. Tim Suter, who was Managing Editor of TV Current Affairs at the time of the Panorama, is chair of Ofcom's Content Board. 

Mr Hooper (Eton and Balliol, Oxford) acted for the publishers of Spycatcher, and is the author of three books "Public Scandal, Odium and Contempt", "Official Secrets – The Use and Abuse of the Act" and "Reputations under Fire".

We have also been reminded of another dramatis persona - Anne Sloman, who was at Tony Hall's side in the internal investigation into Mr Bashir's conduct, after the Earl first complained back in 1996. She was awarded the OBE in 2003 for services to broadcasting. Until 2015, Anne was Chair of the C of E's Church Building Council. She has retired to the village of Sharrington, and contributions to the local food bank can be left on her doorstep, next to the church.