So the Freemasons have appointed a London PR firm to spread the good word, eh, about the chaps with the funny handshakes and the good contacts.

The spin-merchant concerned, Mike Dewar, says he is not a mason. He says sinister forces do not work in the lodge, but admits there are "a few bad apples". Hmmm, says the Margin, who sees little value in "privacy" when dealing with such a benign but secretive tradition.

By the way, we can exclusively reveal that Mr Dewar has no plans to represent the Irish masons. All is well here, clearly, where 33,000 of the fellows are at large.