"Can I bring me mum along as well, please Sir Charles?" - begs Colin 'Cover Up'.

Colin 'Cover Up' needs his hand holding when he is allowed into the grown-up world to meet Royalty.

That can be the only explanation for the extraordinary and fabulous revelation in today's Daily Post that the £250,000 a year chief executive of the 19,500-employee city council, brought his mum along to last week's civic luncheon for Prince Charles.

The poor lad insisted that his mum should be put on the 30-strong guest list, which for some unaccountable reason omitted to include 'Sexy Rexy' Makin, Freeman of the City and distinguished solicitor of this parish.

But Colin's mum came along (and a perfectly nice lady she looks too, ed. But that's not the point.)

Along for lunch too came an un-named "guest" of £165,000-a-year Jason Harbarrowboy, chief executive of the Culture Company (Perhaps it was his cousin Ethel or Tommy, his best mate from school? ed).

Harbarrowboy even has the cheek to insist that "the Culture Company adhered to protocol and were asked by Clarence House to be selective on who could meet the Prince and have lunch with him at the St George’s Hall event."

So Charlie specifically expressed the long held desire to meet Cover Up's mum, did he?

Or was it Jason's rugger mate with whom he wanted to discuss the finer intricacies of Rugby League?

Don't make us laugh (well, not too much, ed)

Why didn't the city council give a seat at lunch instead to one of the care assistants whose wages they are trying to cut?

Or a classroom assistant? Or a street sweeper?

Just to recognise their contribution to the city, of course.

We are sure Charlie would have appreciated the gesture.

Perhaps someone should now ask Cover Up's mum and the Harbarrowboy's "guest" to repay the cost of their luncheon at St George's Hall - paid for by city council taxpayers, of course?

But this little insight into the secret ways of the great and good, apart from making the city council an even bigger laughing stock, also reveals a particular approach by the city council and the Culture Company, does it not?

Senior public servants like Hilton and the Harbarrowboy seem to find it perfectly acceptable to abuse their public position and public money to wangle favourable, extra special, treatment for their friends and nearest and dearest.

Where will the council stop next?

The Summer Pops? Liverpool Direct? The 08 Place?

Shurely not?

It's pathetic. And deeply embarrassing. But it's all too typical.