The Ministry of Justice’s record of ministers’ meetings is the gift (or should that count as hospitality?) that keeps on giving.

Certainly, justice secretary Michael Gove was a busy chap in the latter stages of 2015.

Last week’s publication of meetings for the final quarter of last year reveals that Gove met with the likes of Alastair Campbell (to discuss mental health issues), Independent editor Amol Rajan (to discuss justice reforms), the Archbishop of Canterbury and – two weeks before Christmas – Rebekah Brooks (pictured) (simply referred to as ‘social’).

Indeed, the former education secretary was a busy man, recording 34 meetings in three months. Other appointments included Andrew Mitchell MP to discuss criminal justice, family law expert Oliver Cyriax and the global firm Boston Consulting Group, where courts reform was on the agenda.

His ministerial colleague Lord Faulks records a meeting with Treasury minister Harriet Baldwin and representatives of motor insurers on 8 December to talk whiplash reforms. Alas, and not for the first time, it would appear no claimant lawyers were invited.

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