Despite the efforts of GNER spin doctor Alan Hyde to dampen the debate, London-bound commuters from Yorkshire have thrown their weight behind Yorkshire Tourist Board chairman Judith Donovan who has appealed for the East Coast Main Line operator to reinstate kippers on the breakfast menu in its first class dining car.

An email marked 'Kippers' landed in my inbox from an influential Yorkshire lawyer who recounts that the late Roger Suddards "always had kippers and was known to all the crews" on the London-bound train from Yorkshire.

"They ran out once and wired ahead to Newark where fresh supplies were waiting for him."

In a bid to quash the kipper-talk, GNER's Alan Hyde rang to deny that there was a 'battle royale' over kippers aboard its trains.

"If they sold well we would keep them. People like the idea of having kippers but they don't actually tuck in.

"They are still available as a kedgeree for breakfast as part of our options for healthy eating," says Alan.

But the redoubtable Judith is having none of it.

"The kedgeree has got salmon in it, which I don't like. There should be haddock in a kedgeree according to the recipe books," she says, with a firmness I wouldn't want to question.


No need for this guilt trip

The demand for goods to be as free-range, fairly traded and carbon neutral as possible seems to be creating a kind of commercial version of political correctness.

A colleague has just handed me a wordy label from a packet of flapjack which he bought in a very earnestly organic coffee shop.

The bakers, Honeybuns of Sherborne, Dorset, announce on it: "All of our foil trays are collected and recycled by our local adult supported employment team –
hurrah."

They add: "The card used in this packaging is from a sustainable source."

And then, believe it or not: "Warning: This cake is an indulgent treat.

"If you eat more calories than you burn, you will gain
weight."

My colleague has gone back to buying his buns from the kind of shop where they just take your money and leave you to look after your own conscience ... so far, at least.