The cruellest gag

The Diary was bemused by the response to its request to attend a conference of the Higher Education External Relations Association at Warwick University last week. One of the organisers grumpily refused, as some journalists had had the temerity to turn up and actually speak to delegates. This had apparently upset the conference's sponsor - a national newspaper - no end.

But, after some consideration, the Diary was graciously permitted to attend, as long as we promised not to talk to any of the delegates - shy, retiring public relations officers unversed in dealing with the press.