PETER Luff's old friend Sir Ted Heath bid farewell to the Commons in his own inimitable way this week - with a rant about the failings of the Tory policy on Europe, and an anecdote which raised roars of laughter from MPs.

He told the tale of how, in 1951, he received his big break at Westminster - promotion to the Whips Office.

The former Prime Minister said this came about when a Whip by the name of Colonel Walter Bromley Davenport had to be removed from the post - for giving a disobedient MP a "hefty kick in one of the usual places".

Mr Luff, who worked in Sir Ted's Parliamentary office between 1979 and 1982, broke out in a broad smile while listening to the story.

But he was sure it rang a bell.

The Tory whip said: "I travelled the world with Sir Ted on diplomatic trips and I have, shall we say, heard it once or twice before.

"The funny thing is that it used to be an ambassador the whip had kicked, not an MP!"