McLoughlin to issue ICWC statement this afternoon

So. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin is appearing before the House of Commons today to give an update on the InterCity West Coast franchising fiasco.

Interesting that this is taking place two days before he is due to attend the Transport Select Committee with Philip Rutnam, the DfT's Permanent Secretary.

Also interesting that this announcement was not scheduled in Commons' business until 13:00 today (in the slot reserved for 'Ministerial Statements' - probably some time after 16:30).

And finally it is worth noting that this statement is taking place after Sam Laidlaw was due to present the interim results of his Inquiry into the West Coast fiasco last Friday.

With various comings and goings expected at Marsham Street in advance of this afternoon's statement it could all get very interesting.

Penning out!

Annie's Bar Pool Champion Mike Penning has been knocked out of the current tournament by his Shadow Jim Fitzpatrick.

The showdown between the two former firefighters who also face each other across the Despatch Box - Mike is the Transport Minister and Jim is Shadow Transport Minister - took place in the Sports and Social Club last night.

Mike won the first frame but Jim took the next two with the final game going to the last ball. Jim is a former sem-finalist and also sponsors the competition.

Jim now faces the winner of the game between former champions Kevin Brennan and legal officer Peter Brooksbank.

So now you know.