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I would have thought that grown-up politicians dealing with a stink would try not to make the stench worse. Can most of the Commons Standards and Privileges Committee recognise a standard of behaviour at five yards? - Sir Bernard Ingham, on the Committee's handling of the Neil Hamilton case

There is a problem about funding. There's not enough of it. That is the pistol held to the head that makes thinking the unthinkable compulsory - Sir Jeremy Isaacs, former general director of the Royal Opera House, on the Government's plan to put two national opera companies under one roof

Labour's policy on tobacco has gone up in smoke - Peter Brand, Liberal Democrat MP

He cannot gain anything more. I do not care what he says. I would never put him in with Lennox Lewis, never. He would not be fighting if I had any control or I was his manager - Emanuel Steward, Lennox Lewis's trainer, on WBA champion Evander Holyfield, as he prepares for his weekend title fight with Michael Moorer

Guy Fawkes was the only man who ever entered Parliament with sincere convictions - Taki, social commentator