Donald Dewar, the Scottish Secretary has announced the appointment of Roger Williams, a former civil servant to be 'director of information at the Scottish Office'. Roger Williams used to be head of corporate affairs at the Clydesdale Bank (a Scottish bank).

Mr Dewar has made a traditional choice, since , in theory, Mr Williams will fulfil a role which will be undertaken in accordance with strict civil service rules of impartiality.

Of course this is also the man who will try to persuade Scottish voters that Labour will in London will not seek to coerce or control Labour MPs elected to the Scottish parliament.

However, we have already seen that Blair has no intention of letting Scotland go in any direction except that set for it by London.