Michael Foot has died at the age of 96. It is a sad day at Westminster - and beyond.

In the Chamber Jack Straw puts the Second Reading of the Bribery Bill to one side and paints a perfect vignette of the great orator at work. There is much affection in what Jack says and how he says it.

Later, it is back to partisan politics when I join Keith Hill in his Westminster Hall debate on the winding up of the Parliamentary Communications Allowance.

Before we get going I tell him I am a tad worried about drifting out of order. I want to talk about my own Parliamentary Reports (permitted) but then go on to talk about my Ashcroft funded Conservative opponent and the staggering number of publications he is churning out (probably getting into out-of-order territory).

It soon degenerates into a bare knuckle fight.

I am as much to blame as anyone else as I theatrically wave in the air a succession of copies of “Pendle Matters”.

The “debate” soon turns to Ashcroft. I can’t get away from the man. He casts a very long shadow.

And, talking of which….

We read in the Times today that the deal which allowed Ashcroft to become a long term resident of the UK while retaining non dom status was agreed by the mandarin, Sir Hayden Phillips. Apparently, it was agreed with the then Chief Whip of the Conservative Party, James Arbuthnot.

Are we expected to believe Arbuthnot said nothing to Hague about the discussions or the deal?

We shall see.

Elsewhere… tomorrow Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa, is here at Westminster. He shall be addressing peers and MPs in the richly decorated Robing Room in the House of Lords.

I am looking forward to hearing what he has to say.