Is there really a Byers market?

For a number of observers, the suspension of ex-ministers Stephen Byers, Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt appears to be the only bit of clarity in a sleaze-fest that is otherwise short on consensus among political correspondents.

Last night, Sky News pundits were adamant that the three would-be lobbyists would receive no more than a kicking. One tabloid was questioning why a shrewd sod like Byers would be venal and stupid enough to agree to meeting – leading most readers to conclude that the paper had answered its own query.

Others, no doubt aggrieved at not getting a sniff of the impending scoop, wondered why the Sunday Times and Channel 4 had targeted the individuals involved. Would ex-Labour ministers really be more likely to influence a minority Conservative government than one of the number of tory MPs who were standing down, they pondered?

Some even suggested an element of internecine payback for Hoon and Hewitt’s demands for a secret leadership ballot back in January, although it seems excessive even by Labour standards.

Whatever the motivation, and it may simply be that it is a good story with topical overtones, the expose has knocked Brown’ comeback chances significantly and might even make the accession of Miss De Peiro slightly less than a sure thing.

Update: Nick Robinson has his own views.