The backlash against New Labour's most significant stragegist of this century, Morgan McSweeney, shows what a short memory some British people have. True Irish patriotism is often defined by service to the British state - ask Brendan Bracken or that staunch Thatcher ally, Patrick Cosgrave.

Sad to see so many Irishmen revel in the downfall of Lord Mandelson. Without his careful stewardship and deft removal of Mo Mowlam's green fingerprints from the peace process, would there even be a Good Friday agreement?

Reactions in the Epstein files are highly frustrating, any references to Sinn Fein/IRA completely redacted while British royal family hung out to dry. Qui bono? as Lucilus Longina Ravilla famously asked.