AW diddums! County Councillor David Whipp takes along 20-month-old his son Tom to a committee meeting and he's offended when he's asked to leave.

Seems the tot's antics as he trundled his Thomas the Tank Engine toy around the room proved distracting too for some members of the highways committee.

Why was he there? County Hall already bends over backwards to accommodate people who expect others to care for their offspring without packing them into committee rooms too.

Nevertheless, there he was, trailed along as Coun Whipp was doubtless worried his fellow members couldn't live without his pearls of wisdom for once. Oh, and there's the attendance allowance too...

I'm surprised the NSPCC isn't after Coun Whipp for even considering subjecting a kiddie to such an unhealthy atmosphere -- all that hot air and hours of needless pontificating.

Then again, given the standard of debate at some of these meetings, young Tom would might have fitted in rather well.