FINDING yourself at the centre of a sex scandal involving Ann Widdecombe is hardly the ideal start to a new Parliament.

But it was only by luck that Tory MP Peter Luff avoided such a fate - even if it would all have been a terrible mix up.

The story centres on Peter's London home, which he purchased from the Shadow Home Secretary 18 months ago.

He has made no secret of the fact, but it has not been noted by the rat pack of political journalists and photographers.

So, when Miss Widdecombe indicated she may be about to stand for the Tory leadership, they all de-camped to outside, what they thought, was her house.

Cameras were pointed at windows and the journalists were desperate for a story about her intentions.

Was she definitely going to stand? Who would her supporters be?

Was it just coincidence that she had swapped her basin haircut for an altogether softer look?

The story they almost got - or at least would have thought they had got - would have been much juicier.

A married MP emerging from Miss Widdecombe's pad shortly after dawn? That would be a proper tabloid tale.

"It was only by chance that I was happily holed up in Worcestershire while all of this was going on," said Peter.

"You can only imagine what would have happened if I had walked out of the flat into all those flashing lenses.

"I have given some thought to what I would have said and I think the best line would have been 'We are just good friends'."

This is, of course, a very popular choice of words. The subtle difference is that in Peter's case, it would have been true.