Rick Lowe

According to press reports, Fred Mitchell, Opposition MP for Fox Hill, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, was in a "fury" after Dion Foulkes, Government Senator, raised the spectre of his impropriety relating to a "visa fraud claim".

Having felt the sting of false claims from a colleague of his it is difficult to feel sorry for Mr. Mitchell, particularly in view of some of the gut-churning stuff on a web site said to be his property.

All that aside, isn't it time that all politicians focused on public policy rather than on so-called scandals? If there is legitimate cause for concern they should have the matter reported to the Police and dealt with.

But just as Mr. Mitchell would condone these attacks by one of his colleagues – instead of rebuking that sort of behaviour – why shouldn't he expect political blowback?

Obviously some in the political class enjoy the bitter taste of the medicine.