1. Clearly the government department for agriculture – then Maff, now Defra – makes points on the science of issues as they arise and their presentation.

2. He decided to tell the public that the risk was low, but scientists were unsure about it, and people buying milk from farms near the pyres should consider switching to supermarket milk. ‘As soon as MAFF heard about this I had ministers on the phone telling me I was about to create a crisis in the dairy industry.

3. I genuinely want the economy to succeed‘ Born÷ 1'71, London Education÷ St Paul‘s Boys School, London; Davidson College, North Carolina; Magdalen College, Oxford, (MA honours modern history) Career÷ Freelance journalist 1''3; Joined Conservative research department 1''4; special adviser MAFF 1''5; political office 10 Downing Street 1''7; political secretary to William Hague 1''7–2001; shadow chief secretary to the Treasury 2003; shadow chancellor 2005 Interests÷ Walking, skiing, theatre, observing American politics Family÷ Lives in West London with wife Frances and two children Ask AristotleGordon Brown

4. He held a press conference admitting that scientists were unsure about whether it had, which he said ‘did not create the crisis in the consumption of lamb that Maff had assumed it would‘. Lord Robert May, the outgoing president of the Royal Society, confirmed that Krebs had ‘ministerial pressure put on him – in response to the worry that the rogue BSE prion had got into the country‘s sheep population to say there was nothing to worry about‘. A spokesman for Defra last night did not deny there had been intervention but said the FSA had been set up to act in the public interest in providing scientific advice, adding: ‘Ministers have respected that at all times.