We've just received this received this from Clare Allen, a positively polite IT PR from Profile who claims that Downing Street, the official residence of the British Prime Minister, is a bit whiffy.

In fact, she says that having cycled past for the last three weeks it smells like rotten eggs. Now, her email has nothing to do with IT, the Net, or anything like that. But it does make you think if Britain's political institutions are the smelliest around.

Oh, and we haven't checked to verify this...weak stomachs don't you know.

Anyhow, here's what she's got to say:

All this superb weather that we are currently enjoying, inspired me recently to get on my bike and cycle to work. My journey, Clapham Common to Regent Street, covers some of London's most smoggiest, malodorous landmarks.

However, it occurred to me only today (a rather prosaic thought, but I think the repetition causes the mind to wander), that when the smell is at its worst, when you actually feel weak from the stench, when it actually makes your eyes water and causes you to gag, it just happens to be when passing the wrought iron gates of 10 Downing Street.

Moreover (I don't know whether this is connected to the increase in temperature, or not) it appears to be getting worse each day. I think by the time that next Thursday comes around (polling day in the UK), I will have to bypass Whitehall completely.

This is not a gag, it really is true. And although there is much nose imagery to draw upon (have I suddenly developed a sixth sense; winning by a nose etc) I feel confident in my statement that 10 Downing Street really does stink and is certainly not for the nasally light-hearted. ®