ONE of the most explicit and constant features of the 5pm coronavirus briefing is the remarkable and unflinching composure and self-restraint of the panel members in the face of arguably the most mischievous and politically motivated inquisition by certain (not all) representatives of the media.

Some viewers might occasionally wish that the “experts” would momentarily abandon their dignified professionalism and give some of these self-congratulatory news-spinners a good verbal “smacking”. But they wouldn’t, would they?

Their dignified, self-restrained method is all the more convincing and reassuring.

However, one could be forgiven for envisaging the drama and likely outcome of a Thatcher/Kuenssberg or Beth Rigby/Ann Widdecombe or a Robert Peston/Barbara Castle encounter.

Happy days.

Michael Baldasera, Darlington.