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When staff complained she was lazy and not housetrained and suggested she might be "put out to grass", a memo was issued ordering she must remain as her appointment had been so public that letting her go could result in adverse publicity.

At best, the implication that the middle-aged are out of touch is faintly insulting; at worst, it sounds like the beginning of being put out to grass.

"Defra has long been a backwater, so at last it's not someone in charge who is being put out to grass," he said.

In what is known as the wash-up period, the Commons and Lords will decide what bills they want to let through and which they will effectively put out to grass.

He has been put out to grass in Hamburg, the city that played host to the 9/11 conspirators.