Lembit Öpik - who, if Channel 4 had any sense, would be parachuted into the Celebrity Big Brother house forthwith - continues to cut a statesmanlike figure despite all the tittle-tattle surrounding him and pop star/bum-touching advocate Gabriel Irimia.
Rising to speak at Northern Ireland question time today, Öpik was greeted with taunts of "Who’s a cheeky boy?", responding with "I think Honourable Members should leave any cheeky business completely to me." History students will note the parallel with the great parliamentary duels of Gladstone and Disraeli.
He then faced more laughter when rising to ask a question about motor neurone disease during Prime Minister's question time. Before asking the question he said: "Not wishing to be cheeky, Mr Speaker, I thank the House for being so happy that I am so very, very lucky. And I should point out that the other sister is still single."