Horsegate

Initial reactions to the coverage of this story were that the substance was a lot less than the treatment. A niggling suspicion persisted however that there was more to this than met the eye because of the way certain papers - particularly the Torygraph -  kept picking away at the story. Later, watching clips of Cameron defending his involvement was revealing. Normally the smoothest of operators, he actually looked and sounded uncomfortable and ill at ease. Again, this raised the question why.

Yesterday's arrests may go some way to explain this discomfort and unease. Charlie Brooks is a contemporary of Cameron from Eton and is described as one of his best friends. He was arrested and later released on bail on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the cause of justice. A serious offence carrying the possibility of a life sentence. Hmm.

No wonder ‘Call me Dave’ is looking uneasy. He has not had a good Hackgate. He was far too close to the Murdoch mafia (following in the footsteps of his mentor Mr Blair) and his appointment of Andy Coulson, despite him being under a cloud, reflected this. 

The riding of a retired Met police horse - apparently not supposed to be ridden - exposed to the great unwashed just how cosy and close the Camerons are with the Brooks. As the police inquiries rumble on, the drip drip drip effect of allegation after allegation is extremely damaging to Cameron’s reputation. Many citizens have already sussed out that he is a smooth/slippery/smarmy/arrogant PR operator from a privileged background with a right wing agenda dressed up as a centrist. 

There are many voters still prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt. 

The corrosive nature of this story on his reputation chips away at that benefit. No wonder he is uneasy - he will know what else lies in wait.