Last Tuesday, we published an item from “astreet-smart Sydney
observer” about what was described as a “wonderful story doing the
rounds” which claimed that the former head of the PM’s Department, Max
Moore-Wilton, “is fond of referring to Janette as ‘Mrs Bucket’ – in
memory of the leading character from BBC-TV’s Keeping Up Appearances.”
The item went on: “Recently he opined to a few of his mates that John
Howard wouldn’t be retiring for quite some time yet: ‘Mrs Bucket won’t
let him retire until she’s had a few more trips to Buck Palace’ were
his words.”

Max Moore-Wilton has contacted Crikey to deny that he ever referred to
Mrs Howard in those or any similar terms, and points out (correctly)
that Crikey didn’t attempt to contact him to confirm the accuracy or
otherwise of the item – something we should have done.

We accept that Mr Moore-Wilton would like that denial placed on the public record.