CHRIS MORRIS: It's just been announ- [to someone off-camera] yeah, thanks. It's just been announced that there is to be a special enquiry into the government's handling of the Froom shipping deal which flew to pieces last month amid accusations of gross ministerial misconduct. Our economics correspondent, Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan, is with the Minister for Ships, Michael Crane. He's just prised him out of an emergency meeting.

[He turns to face a monitor on which is O'Hanraha-hanrahan. As he talks, Morris mutters away to himself.]

MORRIS: That's right, now watch everything I've just said come spewing back out of his stupid slab of a face.

PETER O'HANRAHA-HANRAHAN: I'm with the Minister for Ships, Michael Crane MP, who's just left an emergency meeting. Mr Crane - choppy waters for the government?

MICHAEL CRANE: Not at all, Peter. This procedure was entirely proper, and I think that the enquiry will prove that the government's handling of this affair was entirely proper.

O'HANRAHA-HANRAHAN: So, the government's ship: back on course?

CRANE: Absolutely.

O'HANRAHA-HANRAHAN: Back to you, Chris.

MORRIS: Peter, what the hell was that? This man's made a big-scale cock-up here and you've let him get away with it! Now let me speak to him. Put your earpiece next to his head and stand still. Now minister, there's reason to believe you lied to the House. How do you answer that?

CRANE: Well that is a very serious and unfounded allegation, and I will be making a statement to the House based on the preliminary enquiry next week.

MORRIS: A week is a long time in politics.

O'HANRAHA-HANRAHAN: Rhab Butler.

MORRIS: Shut up, Peter. Now minister, did you or did you not lie to the House?

CRANE: I will be making a full statement to the House next week.

MORRIS: It's a simple question, yes or no? Did you or did you not lie?

CRANE: I, erm...

O'HANRAHA-HANRAHAN: As the Minister for Ships sprawls on a pin, it's back to you, Chris.

MORRIS: No it isn't, Peter! He's about to answer the question! He's about to admit to lying to the House! [Crane hurries out of shot] You've let him get away again! Where's he gone?

O'HANRAHA-HANRAHAN: Over there.

MORRIS: Well, get him back!

O'HANRAHA-HANRAHAN: He's in a cab.

MORRIS: Peter! You've lost the news! What are you going to say?

O'HANRAHA-HANRAHAN: Sorry.

MORRIS: Look like you mean it! Look down at the ground and say sorry.

O'HANRAHA-HANRAHAN: Sorry.

MORRIS: Peter, next time you cross the road, don't bother looking.

O'HANRAHA-HANRAHAN: Sorry!