Andrew Mitchell’s political implosion over a crotchety incident at the gates of Downing Street have had many commentators chortling over the once-in-a-lifetime chance to use the “hilarious” term, Gategate.

I regret to inform my Fleet-of-foot Street compadres that Syntagma got there first, a common occurrence you might think.

On the day following the Royal Wedding last year, we published a diary piece called Gategate. Here it is:

DIARY: Gategate, AVgate, Cornish pasties, Kate of Troy, Ladder of Understanding

We can reveal that, on the morning of the Royal wedding, Princess Beatrice walked into a wrought iron gate, part of which wedged itself firmly onto her head.

In desperation, she had it painted the same colour as her coat.

Don’t think I made this up.

Ah, well, better luck next time, chaps.

John Evans