Strange as it may seem, the MoS believes the allegations about Charles are true

Earlier this week my dear friend the writer William Shawcross left a message on my answerphone. I am sure he will not mind if I repeat it. ‘Hi, Stephen, it’s William, your old friend. How are you? I have just heard some wonderful rumour today that you are going to use your entire column to denounce Associated Newspapers for its contemptible torture of both the Prince of Wales and George Smith. If this is true, I am so pleased. Congratulations, old bean.’ This message, it can be fairly said, is delivered in tones of jocular irony.

Nor do I think that Boris Johnson, the editor of this magazine, will mind if I repeat what he said to me on the same subject. ‘I must say,’ said Boris, ‘that I think the behaviour of the Mail on Sunday has been absolutely contemptible. But I don’t suppose you will want to say that, because you take the Daily Mail’s shilling.’