This refurb row seems to me indicative of something particular about Boris’s character. Not sleaze etc etc, but tightfistedness. Most of us can’t find £58,000. After years of that DT column, he probably can, but risks his career to avoid it. (Cont’d)

Example of similar. Years back when he was mayor, we had a dinner of old Telegraph hands for (IIRC) Bill Deedes’s birthday at a London club. Everyone had to stump up, like, forty quid or so. Who didn’t? Boris.

Now, the organiser of the event, a firm-minded old friend of mine, gently reminded him. Nothing. He’s a busy man, sure. But several reminders later, still no cheque. Eventually the organiser went to Boris’s consigliere (Guto Harri was it?)...

And said he could always recoup the money by selling a story to the Londoner’s Diary if no cheque was forthcoming. Only then, Boris stumped up. Forty odd quid, as I say. Stuck in my mind.