Weston-super-Mare & pent-up politicians part 1: Greens

Politicians get a little sensitive around election time.

A slight story about a Green candidate pulling out of the contest to be Weston-super-Mare's next MP escalated quickly.

Dr Richard Lawson said voters should instead back the Lib Dems as the only realistic option to unseat the area's Tory MP John Penrose.

I asked for an interview.

Under much pressure from angry party colleagues, he first said no. Then he changed tack, and talked eloquently to camera on a Mendip hillside.

Hours later came the call every reporter dreads: sorry but please don't use the interview.

Neither he nor senior party figures I rang could be talked round - so the piece ran with his words from his website instead of his voice.

And as if on cue, the Greens in Cheltenham also told people to vote tactically for the Lib Dems.

I could sense the frustration as I broke the news to the party's regional press officer.