He is an unsavoury character with a reputation for writing scurrilous pieces, just short of libel, about local dignitaries, some of which he has sold to the more downmarket red tops. He is always on the look out for scandal, and he has the ability to twist any story so as to present his victim in the worst light possible. He takes great pleasure in this skill. He has the knack of knowing who to watch and who to talk to, and he can wheedle information out of the unwary and naïve. He is heartily disliked by Jack, Kate and Alexander. He, in turn, finds these public servants to be pompous.