Graham Brady meets with an old hand at campaigns

With twelve candidates so far declared for the Tory leadership contest, more MPs are expected to announce in the coming days. Those rumoured to be planning on throwing their hat into the ring include Mark Harper, Steve Baker and 1922 chairman Graham Brady. On Friday, Brady recused himself from a Conservative Party statement on the leadership timetable – on the grounds that he might himself run.

So, Mr S was intrigued to learn of a meeting Brady attended on Tuesday at the MC Saatchi office in London. Steerpike’s advertising man-in-the-know reports that Brady was spotted meeting Tory peer – and former chairman – Maurice Saatchi. Saatchi – the chairman of the Centre for Policy Studies – helped Margaret Thatcher to win power in 1979

What ever could they have been talking about? Watch this space.