MP Peter Luff and I have got on better of late. We had a little row a few weeks ago, but proffered olive branches can work wonders.

At one time though, we were arch foes. It occurred to me more than once that had we lived prior to 1830, I would probably have challenged him to a duel.

This would have been the only logical course of action, as we are quite obviously gentlemen. Bearing in mind the pen is mightier than the sword, the preferred weapons would have had to be pistols.

Thankfully, rapier-sharp e-mails now do the job - and it's a lot less messier, too.