Home Secretary David Blunkett - he of the compulsory ID card scheme - has well and truly established his credentials with a disastrous performance on celebrity Mastermind.

Blunkett scored a miserable eleven, notching up just two correct answers in the general knowledge section. Presumably, one of these was a firm "yes" to the poser "Will UK citizens be obliged to carry ID cards whether they like it or not?"

Our Dave did rather better on his specialist subject - Harry Potter - but was soundly thrashed by ex-Eastenders star Shaun Williamson. Even TV gastro-personality Antony Worrall Thompson was able to pip the bumbling Blunkett to the post.

Those who would like confirmation that the country is indeed in safe hands can watch the home secretary's humiliation on Boxing Day on BBC2. We cannot at present confirm that the programme will show a disconsolate Blunkett offering "Pass" to the question: "Are there any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq?" ®