Meyer turns on 'bonkers' politicians over memoirs

In an interview with The Independent on Sunday, Britain's former ambassador to Washington says politicians write about civil servants while expecting officials to "take a vow of indefinite silence".

Jack Straw has questioned whether the former diplomat can continue to serve as chairman of the Press Complaints Commission. But Sir Christopher suggests the Foreign Secretary went "bonkers" over the book because it exposes his lack of influence in the run-up to the war in Iraq.

He also discloses that he has just been appointed to a second three-year term at the head of the newspaper watchdog. He insists he will keep the royalties from DC Confidential.