"Forewarned is forearmed" could be a convenient mantra for a government dealing with a range of setbacks in recent weeks not just of an electoral nature.
After Jeremy Hunt's ministerial career was imperilled by the disclosure of documents detailing the closeness of his department and News Corporation during the company's bid for the whole of BskyB, someone somewhere in Whitehall clearly decided to act.
Now, David Cameron, Jeremy Hunt and six of their Cabinet colleagues - once they sign a document promising not to leak - will no longer be on the back foot.
They'll have advance warning of any mud other witnesses at the Leveson Inquiry might be seeking to fling their way.
The prime minister should now know early on what Rebekah Brooks intends to say about that police horse and the nature of their exchanges via e-mail and text.
So, there'll be no surprises for David Cameron. But will it ease any potential prime ministerial pain?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17951137
