OBE for Farage? The emails

11.58am, Dec 30,

Lord Pearson to Douglas Carswell: “Dear Douglas, Could you let me know how your talk with Gavin Williamson went before Christmas? By phone if you prefer? Good wishes. Malcolm.”

9.38am, Dec 31,

Carswell to Pearson: “As promised, I did speak to the government Chief Whip. Perhaps we might try angling to get Nigel an OBE next time round? For services to headline writers? An MBE, maybe? Let’s discuss…”

10.48am, Dec 31,

Pearson to Carswell “Dear Douglas, Let’s speak at your convenience. Ring me? Not sure an ‘Other Buggers’ Efforts’ quite hits the spot for Nige........?! Malcolm”