And finally… Pompeo and circumstance

Gordon Sondland was sacked as US ambassador to the European Union two days after testifying at the impeachment inquiry about Trump’s alleged scheme to pressure Ukraine to investigate rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter.

He claims that Mr Pompeo had made a “legally binding promise” to reimburse him for legal costs related to his testimony after he discovered that he could not be represented by government lawyers, The Times reports.

A spokesperson for Mr Pomepo had described the lawsuit as “ludicrous” and said he is “confident the court will see it the same way”.