Mystery of the `court chronicler'

Washington - Mystery surrounds the exact role of the biographer Martin Gilbert, who is travelling in John Major's immediate entourage during the Prime Minister's visit to the US, writes Donald Macintyre.

It has emerged that the eminent biographer of Winston Churchill has been writing speeches and advising Mr Major, but he is also said by at least one senior aide to be acting as a "court chronicler". Mr Gilbert was also on Mr Major's recent trip to the Middle East.

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