While discussing the politicial scene with friends, the subject of the Home Secretary and the resignation of Paul Whitehouse came up and I suggested the Home Secretary was seeing if he could improve the relationship of the general public and the police force.

After receiving a kick from my wife, I remembered David Blunkett is always accompanied by his faithful Labrador and realised my mistake.

I wonder if any other readers have innocently made a faux pas of this nature.

-Roy Hilliard, Old Shoreham Road, Brighton