It was bad enough being damned for producing “passive and muted” pupils at Priory House, the small independent primary she owns in south-east London (the first time the Diary can recall a school being criticised because pupils are too well-behaved).

It was worse being told one third of teaching at the pound;3,000-a-term school was unsatisfactory.

But it was the final straw when inspectors ticked her off for failing to consult List 99, the register of convicted sex offenders, over the appointment of the school caretaker.

The caretaker in question is her husband.