1. But I also found that the hapless mandarin, overworked, underwhelmed, let Aitken draft his own verdict ("Not guilty, push off"). So we had a code of conduct, but nobody primed to invigilate it: exhortation without implementation, and worse than useless because a mere mirage of probity lacking all substance.

2. It suggests exam boards require "some form of status identity" for all examinations, adding that the "use of biometrics to prevent impersonation might be of particular value for test centres where students are unknown to the invigilating staff". However teachers won new contracts in September last year stating they should not "routinely" invigilate public exams.

3. Meanwhile, there are signs that the leaks against Blair and the near–meltdown at Scotland Yard are beginning to cause lasting collateral damage – with the IPCC itself, the first truly independent body to invigilate Britain‘s police, one likely casualty. ‘For goodness sake, just leave the man [Blair] alone and wait for the IPCC report,‘ Paddick said. ‘The version of events is a matter for the IPCC to decide.‘ Blair‘s allies insist he will weather the downpour and that he had no intention of granting the wishes of those who wanted him to resign. ‘We‘re not just campaigning to save our local sheriff,‘ Stephenson said.