The offer of a seat in the Lords was made to John Edmonds, the GMB boss, who is one of Blair’s harshest and noisiest critics. The “informal” approach about a peerage was made by one of No 10’s bully boys, senior Downing Street sources admit. News of the cheeky overture comes as union leaders begin to hurl the china and ruin Blair’s summer.

Union brains (yes, there are one or two) suspect Blair was trying to stop Edmonds from opposing his so-called “privatisation” of public services with strikes and strife.

Even some ministers are appalled by the clumsy approach, which will do little to improve relations.

“John made it very clear that he would not accept and the offer was withdrawn as discreetly as it was made,” a senior minister tells Atticus. “This was a time bomb waiting to go off. In hindsight you could say it was possibly a little misguided. But we were desperate for someone a little more receptive to new Labour in charge of the GMB.” The union confirms the “pathetic” offer was made. Hmm. This spat is shaping up nicely.

Opportunity knocks at No 10 for secret Labour donor

Being a chum of Tony Blair has its advantages. Take one Arnab Banerji, one of 15 previously “hidden” donors who bunged Labour at least five grand in the run-up to last year’s general election.

Now a grateful PM is to appoint his mucker to a senior post in Downing Street. Banerji has left his moderately successful City job in preparation.

Labour declines to publish the exact amounts donated because the dosh was given before last February, when the Electoral Commission started a public register. The donors are to be named for the first time in Labour’s annual report for 2001, which will be published next month.

The 15 previously undeclared cash donors include Richard “Big Ones” Desmond, the owner of top-shelf magazines; John Beddington, a rather dreary academic who suddenly finds himself on several quangos; and yet another exotic fellow, Ali Sarikhani, who specialises in advice on “tax management”. How long before he becomes chief secretary to the Treasury? And all, possibly, for the price of a second-hand Mondeo.

Drinks held hostage at Andrew’s ‘sexist’ golf club

Prince Andrew and his chums are going to be parched into surrender. Andy’s favourite golf club, the Royal West Norfolk, has been refused a new drinks licence until it changes rules that deny women members the right to vote at meetings. The club, which boasts the prince among its 740 members and is a four iron from Sandringham, has been given the order by magistrates. Wimmin types are delighted but, incredibly, a Major Nigel Carrington Smith, the club secretary, puffs that he thought “the ladies didn’t want to vote”. They describe this as “nonsense” and the club as “sexist”. Send in Fergie: she’ll sort ’em out.