SINCE the 7/7 London tube bombings, security around Government buildings has been tighter than a Yorkshireman's grip on his wallet.

A ring of steel surrounds the Palace of Westminster and neighbouring Whitehall; gun-wielding police wearing stab-vests patrol the streets; airport-style X-ray security has become the norm.

So you can imagine The Diary's surprise when a humble ID card from out-of-town retailer Matalan allowed a York petitioner to gain access to the seat of power, Number 10 Downing Street itself.

Joe Tidmarsh, vice-chairman of York Conservatives, was in London with Julian Sturdy, the Conservative parliamentary candidate for York Outer, to deliver a petition calling on the Government to reconsider the closure of Fulford post office.

The Press was also in town to hand our Cut The Closures campaign petition to Premier Gordon Brown. Our delegation met up with Julian, Joe and their cohorts in the grand surroundings of Portcullis House.

"They let me into Downing Street using this," he told our man on the ground. "Look at it," he said, proffering the card.

Undoubtedly, there was a likeness with the man standing before our reporter, but clearly a number of years had passed since the fading black and white photo was taken.

"So much for security," Joe said, clearly relieved he'd been let in - but surprised nonetheless.

The Diary is informed this was not the only source of mirth on an otherwise serious outing. Following a relaxing drink with Selby MP John Grogan in the House of Commons' infamous Strangers' Bar - the terrace of which offers stunning views of the River Thames - our campaign delegation set off for Kings Cross.

The party's cab hit traffic, leaving everyone on tenterhooks as 8pm - and their train's departure - rapidly approached.

They made it, just. But upon stepping on to the concourse and seeing a flood of humanity not witnessed since biblical times, their journalistic skills of observation told them something was definitely awry.

It soon became clear a "major signalling fault" was to blame, bringing rail services to a halt. A crush ensued as thousands swarmed into scarce carriages.

Credit has to go to one National Express employee, fraught but impeccably patient, who split his time between empathising with disgruntled northerners and chastising his blithering colleagues. Responding to one of many heckles, he said: "I know you want to go home brother, believe me I want to go home too. I've been here for eight hours straight - and all I've had to eat is half a Chinese."