Peter Mandelson's name can be added, I am told, to the growing list of politicians pursuing Andy Coulson over what he did or didn't get up to before signing up as David Cameron's mouthpiece. The Prince of Memoirs, like Simon Hughes, Chris Bryant, George Galloway and others, is seeking to learn whether his mobile number was uncovered in the inquiry into telephone tapping while the Downing Street spokesman was editor of the News of the World. Coulson insists he knew nowt and resigned from Rupert Murdoch's payroll because it was the honourable thing to do. As Coulson followed Citizen Dave on the PM's White House jaunt, a snout muttered that he would have the chance to read the New York Times investigation into the murky affair. The probe was more forensic than I was first led to believe.

Labour's 62 new boys and girls were all invited to a soirée in Gordon Brown's suite on the top floor of Portcullis House. My informant with the abacus counted only ten attending. In the US, a former White House tenant continues to be addressed as "Mr President" long after eviction. But there's nothing as "ex" as a British ex-prime minister.

A rare moment of camaraderie in the fractious, travelling troupe billed as the Labour leadership contest. Theatrical eye-rolling and barely stifled moans on the stage form a backing chorus whenever one of the not-so-famous five tries to score points. So, imagine the surprise of a Unite snout who listened to a recording of the union's hustings. There was swotty David Miliband, helping a foundering Andy Burnham give the value of child benefit. "Twenty pounds - I know that," whispered Mili Major. Burnham didn't hear, or didn't believe.

He wrongly answered £28. The microphone picked up David M sneering, "I told you it was £20." The exact figure is £20.30 for firstborn children.
At future hustings, the chair should insist on no conferring.

At an earlier performance, the elder Milibrother was unimpressed when his sibling, Ed, emphasised his passion for Labour's values and policies by using the phrase "I'd die in a ditch" - five times. "Fat lot of good you'd do the Labour Party by dying in a ditch," Mili Major muttered. Keeping socialism in the family may be many things, but fraternal isn't one of them.

Labour comrades continue to grumble over Lord (John) Hutton accepting a £300-a-day job from Cameron to cut the pensions of teachers and nurses. As defence secretary, the Blairite brigadier showed no appetite for reform. Indeed, he rejected a review of the armed forces scheme. But old hands reckon being in with Cameron might enhance Brig Hutton's marketability if, say, a US arms contractor wished to hire an ex-minister.

The type of sober chap who can make a half of bitter last all evening, Labour's John Healey is still miffed that his role as minister for pubs was dropped by Britain's new landlords. Perhaps a minister for gentleman's clubs would be more fitting. With that thought, this column is now on holiday until September. Cheers!

Kevin Maguire is associate editor (politics) of the Daily Mirror