25 JULY 1998, Page 24

Finders keepers

THE search is on for a new Sleazefinder- General. Sir Gordon Downey, the first man in this ghastly job (the headhunters would rather we called him the Parliamentary Ombudsman) will let someone else have the pleasure of coping with the new breed of influence-peddlers and their friends in gov- ernment. There was no rush last time round — the short list was very short, I am told, and the terms had to be altered to meet Sir Gordon's requirements — and this time the headhunters should put the job out to ten- der and award it to the highest bidder. Offers in sealed brown envelopes, please.