Here’s a cryptic tale. A national newspaper has been threatened with libel over a crossword clue.

It sounds like a case of a minor celeb and a money-grubbing lawyer seeking to shake-down a newspaper for a quick buck. The sad thing is that the financial risk of defending any libel action is so great that they may be forced into a pragmatic payout.

Roll on Jack Straw’s promised reform of the iniquitous no win, no fee system.