Spooky stuff

Headhunting is usually defined nowadays as the art of locating new bosses for institutions, but those responsible for finding a new warden for St Antony's College, Oxford, may find Sir Robin Renwick after their heads if they are unwise enough to get within range of him.

Formerly Our Man in Pretoria and then Washington, Sir Robin certainly fits the bill for an institution with an almost unparalled record in turning out spooks and other servants of HM Government overseas.

The selectors thought so too, and much effort was devoted to persuading him to let his name go forward.

Hardly surprising then that Sir Robert was less than totally delighted to receive a letter telling him that he had not made the final shortlist.