Why is the Times so down on the Tories? And is it to do with Katharine Raymond?

Political parties should not sue newspapers: that would certainly be my general view. But one can understand why the Tories should have issued a writ against the Times. It follows two articles in the newspaper last month alleging that its Aussie campaign director, Lynton Crosby, had told Michael Howard that he was bound to lose the general election. The Times declined to publish a denial issued by the Conservatives, who also claim that they were not approached before publication.

The action bespeaks a wider disenchantment on the part of the Tories. If these two articles had been out of the ordinary, there would be no writ. Michael Howard’s people evidently believe that the Times is often gunning for them, and they are largely right. Only last week a front-page article alleged that John Major and Norman Lamont were blocking the release of Treasury papers relating to Black Wednesday. Both men have hotly denied the suggestion, and they would appear to be telling the truth.