its not really for former civil servants to reminisce about their ministerial bosses.. but the departure of Ken Clarke from the Commons merits an exception (he never stuck to rules either..)

I first came across KC when I was the PS/CST -- at the time Mrs Thatcher didn't really trust him so he always had to do everything as a double act with her favourite Lord Young..

then I was at No.10 and he was Chancellor - I remember a meeting where he came and wiped the floor with the then SoS Transport ..