TONY Blair is trying to outfox us again. Yesterday, the Westminster press pack, scenting blood, were tearing into Transport Secretary Stephen Byers.

So what does the Government do? Dangle the prospect of a hunting ban before the hounds, in order to send them racing off in another direction.

It is a trick the Prime Minister has tried before, with some success. But Mr Byers should not feel he has escaped. He is giving off too strong a scent of incompetence to be safe for long.

Updated: 11:52 Thursday, February 28, 2002