Fox in Socks

The book which reveals
some of the personal habits
of defence secretary
Liam Fox

Liam Fox has said he will carry on wearing socks, as a colleague dismissed wild gossip about the defence secretary's personal hygiene.

The row about the defence secretary's footwear habits, now known to us all as the "Fox in Socks Fiasco", continues to dominate headlines.

BBC political editor Nick Robinson says Mr Fox believes he is the victim of a hate campaign.

Employment Minister Chris Grayling told the BBC there was a mass pursuit of Mr Fox (by press hounds presumably), who was doing a good job regardless of his choice of footwear.

Mr Fox has been under pressure over the past week after revelations that he wore the same pair of socks on 18 overseas trips and at meetings with the defence secretary at the MoD 22 times, without washing the socks once.

The defence secretary has also denied claims that Conservative officials lied about a break-in at his London home last year, following claims in the Sun that Mr Fox was without socks at the time - when in fact he had been wearing the same pair for 6 consecutive weeks.

Responding to the Sun's front page, Mr Fox said: "As I told the police at the time, I was wearing my favourite socks in the guest room. My wife was stranded in Hong Kong due to the ash cloud and I saw no wrong doing in indulging myself with my favourite Falkes. For the sake of clarity it was not the Wigwams. I'm appalled at being portrayed as having something to hide. "

Mr Fox has been accused of breaching ministerial guidelines in relation to his sock wearing habits.

On Tuesday Mr Fox (in Socks) was questioned by civil servants, who were expected to ask him why he had repeatedly worn the Falkes despite having not washed them.

Our political editor says he understands that Mr Fox is emotionally attached to his socks, but categorically denies to officials that he cannot sleep without them.

Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to face questions about the conduct of his Mr Fox (in Socks) at the weekly Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons later on Wednesday.

Asked about rumours that the defence secretary is gay, Employment Minister Chris Grayling told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "If you look around the Westminster village you will find all kinds of wild gossip about all kinds of individuals in all parties who wear unwashed socks. That doesn't mean they are not good at their jobs, or that they are gay. I myself am the proud owner of two pairs of Falkes and I am not gay."

We do not expect this story to be forgotten in the near future, especially since there is now a book about this very subject.