AS distractions go, it wasn't a bad one.

 

No, not George but Amal Clooney was in the Commons public gallery watching the ding-dong of PMQs, which hasn't since the election got into full throttle yet. But there was enough mutual disdain flung across the floor of the chamber for the human rights lawyer to get the gist.

Supposedly in parliament as part of a campaign on the Maldives, Mrs Clooney left early; no doubt to tell her doting husband later that PMQs isn't all it's cracked up to be.

One thing is for sure Mrs C would have discovered that the Labour toff really can't stand the Tory toff.

Hattie, who two weeks ago upbraided Dave for gloating - "he just can't help himself but gloat can he?" - this time round could not contain her contempt for the multi-millionaire Conservative over his non-denied intention to cut ordinary folks' tax credits.

She snipped at the PM over the Tory Government being intent on "robbing from children in families" facing tax credit cuts, which, according to the pointy heads at the IFS, mean that for the Government to save £5 billion in this area would lead to a family losing £1400 a year.

Staring wide-eyed at Dave, Hattie declared: "Now I know he doesn't have to budget but many families do."

As the PM's shiny mug broke out into a disdainful grin, the Tory berserkers pointed their fingers at the super-rich Opposition frontbench to which the acting chief comrade declared: "It's the truth."

Next up was the SNP champion Angus Robertson, who this week went on a more predictable line of attack; that is, the Scotland Bill really wasn't up to the mark and the Nationalists wanted - surprise, surprise - more.

The Tory toff rose and, raising his nose, sought to goad the SNP lion by mentioning its favourite subject - full fiscal autonomy.

As Mr R's Nat chums shook their heads and Pete Wishart, the panther from Perth, started gesticulating wildly, the SNP leader even quoted the House of Commons Library - the oracle - as saying the Bill did not meet all of the Smith Commission's recommendations. So there!

But Flashman slowly rose to insist all the SNP was interested in was whingeing about process not actually putting into practice their policies "Because the truth is this," declared the shiny-haired one, "full fiscal autonomy has now become FFS - full fiscal shambles."

As the Tories roared their approval, the mention of FFA or FFS was enough for Mrs Clooney and she was off.

Next time, she might bring her husband. That really would test the Houses's concentration. Perhaps his next project could be Full Fiscal Autonomy The Movie with himself as the Chancellor and Angelina Jolie as Nicola Sturgeon. Then again, maybe not.