Obiter isn’t the jealous type, so can only congratulate a colleague who is clearly getting all the billable work she can handle. Charlotte Harris, partner at transatlantic firm Mishcon de Reya – ‘It’s business. But it’s personal’ – was booked to speak at the Spectator magazine’s debate last Wednesday, against the motion ‘Leveson is a fundamental threat to the free press’.

However as columnist Richard Littlejohn and successful litigant Max Mosley (pictured) set off the verbal fireworks, Harris’ chair was still empty. A succession of messages to debate chairman Andrew Neil conveyed the information that Harris was running late.

She eventually showed up just as former MP Evan Harris, called as a substitute from the audience, had finished his pitch. Ushers directed the latecomer to a seat at the top table for the Q&A session, but she was swiftly sent back to the audience by the chairman.

The motion was carried, by 205 votes to 191.