OUR concerns about Downing Street's heavy-handed approach to photographs of Leo Blair have been well-documented in recent weeks.

But the Prime Minister, who will today pose with his family for holiday photographs, will find it hard to accept advice from Posh Spice on keeping family matters private.

Victoria Beckham has taken issue with Tony Blair's stance on pictures of his baby's recent christening, saying she has had to put up with much worse for years.

That may be the case, but this is from a woman who apparently can't help herself when it comes to saying the wrong thing whenever there is a journalist within ear-shot.

Last year, she landed husband David with all kinds of ridicule by making a light-hearted remark about him wearing her underwear.

Now she has told a radio station in London that he is flattered by the attention he receives from homosexual men and boasts of being a gay icon.

Mrs Beckham was, no doubt, simply being flippant again. But she's opened up a new chapter in abuse from the terraces for her poor husband.

Posh Spice did a good job miming to her new record when she appeared at the Radio 1 Roadshow on Teesside at the weekend.

Perhaps she should pre-record all media interviews and mime to them as well - just to be on the safe side.

Tribute to two standard bearers

TODAY we pay tribute to two men who set the standard in different spheres.

Sir Alec Guinness will be remembered as one of the great actors of his or any other generation.

From the classic 1949 comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets, through his unforgettable role in Bridge On The River Kwai in 1959, to his modern-day portrayal of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars, he possessed a wonderful ability to make characters come to life.

And Sir Robin Day was the man who set the standard for television interviewing.

Jeremy Paxman was still in short trousers when Sir Robin transformed TV interviews into a true test of politicians, insisting that they answered the question he had asked - a novel experience for many.

Grand Inquisitor was the perfect title for the memoirs of a man whose persistence, knowledge and wit earned him enormous respect.