To call the astringent platform proposed this week by the Republican National Committee obtusely retrograde would be unfair to geocentrics, alchemists and phrenologists.

When he tells her that Coral is owed the apology, Libby obtusely responds: “Coral is a different matter. Coral deliberately disobeyed me.”

McVey cravenly, or maybe just obtusely, insisted she wasn’t bothered by the Mail’s coverage because “it highlights all these wonderful women”.