Today, Mr Mann wrote to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport asking how many residential properties in Bassetlaw had no television licence at the latest date for which information is available. Presumably he is totting up how many households will not have the benefit of seeing his kisser on the box when he is trotted out by the Beeb for his Rent-A-Quotes. Next step will be to identify those households.

So, if you don’t have a TV licence, our advice is to get a one immediately (even if you don’t have a telly) in case he decides to make a personal appearance on your doorstep.

John Mann, the self-appointed, self-serving, self-righteous scourge of the expenses claimants who made allegations of wrongdoing by Alan Duncan, today got criticised by the Commons Standards and Priveleges Committee  for his lack of courtesy in going to the media before Mr Duncan or the Commissioner with his complaint. The Committee found that Mr Duncan had acted entirely within the rules and Mann’s allegations were unfounded.

Running his mouth off to the press is a favoured pastime of John Mann, earning him the sobriquet of Rent-a-Quote. The fact that his comments are often without foundation bothers him not a jot as long as he can see his name in print or his smirking face on the telly.