I missed an open goal this evening.

I was doing BBC Scotland’s equivalent of the PM programme, being quizzed on the Ashcroft affair.

In the middle of the live piece, the interviewer casually tells me William Hague knew about Ashcroft’s non dom status two months ago.

This is another bombshell! My mind is racing. Did I miss this? Does everyone know except me? How on earth did I miss this?

I splutter lamely: “Hague should have told the world as soon as he knew!”

The enormity of it sinks in. Hague has been party to the dirty little secret for two months!

I had every reason to go nuclear. Instead, I regret, a muffled explosion.

Hague’s interview with Robin Lustig is on the World Tonight on BBC Radio 4 at 10pm