A GOLDEN rule of journalism is never assume anything. A former editor of the Western Mail explains how, as a young reporter, he once passed a local cricket ground and saw a beautifully-prepared wicket.

He bashed out a few paragraphs about how the groundsman, whom he knew well, had done such a wonderful job to produce such a perfect batting track.

The next day the phone rang. It was the groundsman's wife, who explained he had passed away the week before.

Ploughing through last week's BSE report, this tale saved the Evening News from running a potentially highly-embarrassing story.

The report, which runs into thousands of pages, criticises former Conservative Ministers for their handling of the crisis.

However, they escape severe censure from Lord Phillips, who compiled the multi-tomed verdict on the Government's performance in dealing with the disease.

The main criticism is reserved for civil servants and the Whitehall bureaucracy which meant sensible policy decisions were not quickly implemented.

But one Tory actually seems to emerge with some credit. Step forward Peter Luff.

This came as a surprise since few people believed the Mid-Worcestershire MPhad been involved in trying to assess the dangers of BSE.

However, the report clearly states that Peter Luff was commissioned to produce a paper on BSE in late 1987.

It adds: ''The paper was impressive as an initial overview of what was known about BSE in relation to safety of veterinary medicines. It rev-iewed options for action.

''Unfortunately, those responsible for human medicines were not sent Mr Luff's paper.''

The Worcestershire MP was impressed with the accolade, but reluctantly had to admit it was a different Mr Luff.

Mr Luff MP has been confused with Peter Luff, head of the Royal Commonwealth Society, and the wealthy racehorse owner Peter Luff. But he was unaware of the existence of another Peter Luff in the corridors of Whitehall.

''He's the one I would most happily be confused with judging by the praise piled on him in the Phillips report,'' says Mr Luff MP.