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The government's suffered its first defeat and it's Norwich that's caused the upset.

The House of Lords slung out the bill that was to stop the reorganisation of Norfolk's local authorities.

It's an embarrassment for the government that the plans to prevent a unitary authority in Norwich has hit the buffers.

The has called the plans into question because it a "hybrid bill" - a combination of a public and a private bill.

But it's only a week since the new Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, , told us, as only he can: "It's over. Don't anyone waste any more money on this scheme for a unitary in Norwich."

But, as they say, it's only over when the fat lady sings and not, it seems, when the politician speaks.

Meanwhile the "examiners" have been called in.

Who they? Spirits, holed up in some remote Westminster turret, waiting to pounce on unseemly legislation?

Well, um, no-one seems to know, but we're assured it won't take them long to put matters right and the delay to the bill's progress will be minor.

Much to Mr Pickles' relief no doubt.

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