The messages pinged around Downing Street: “He’s gone f***ing mad.” Even among supporters, this was unusual behaviour. Among critics it was more evidence that the man who supposedly hates the media is drawn to the spotlight like a badly dressed moth to a flame.

Emerging from his home sporting another in his vast collection of woolly hats, Dominic Cummings faced questions about HS2 and the cabinet reshuffle.

Did he wish the reporter a good morning and go on his way? Did he hail the success of the government for levelling up the nation? Did he just ignore the Westminster bubble tittle-tattle and get on with his work, as cabinet ministers have been urged? Er, no.

“The night time is the right time to fight crime,”