John Reid was flying with his new press officer, getting to know him on the flight. Tom Kelly was Mr Mandelson s closest companion until Tuesday afternoon. On the plane he was telling Dr Reid what to expect fromt he Northern Irish media. Mr Mandelson was saying goodbye to staff who have seen other secretaries of state come and go, and who probably know not to get too attached to them, or their dogs. Jackie and Bobby, perhaps named after the Charlton brothers.
Government has to offer a minister.
Tom Kelly s briefing on the plane will probably have corrected the impression made by Adam Ingram in Question Time on Tuesday that the Belfast papers were more balanced and responsible than the London papers. That compliment was their reward for abstaining from the frenzied demands that mandy go. It s not actually true. He may have shared a few anecdotes about journalists to watch out for. There s the famous Eamon Mallie of Downtown Radio.