Deal due out ‘any minute’

The negotiators are due out any minute with a piece of paper (or 24 pieces of paper by some reckoning) in their hands.

If the Lib Dems sign off on the deal in decent time (can’t help thinking this is an extra bit of pressure on them) we’re told that Gordon Brown stands ready to go to the Palace tonight.

But the Lib Dems have just put back the MPs and Federal Executive meeting to 8.30 … which must make it less likely that No. 10 will ask the Queen to stay up late and wait for 2 audiences, with the departing Prime Minister and his replacement.

They tend to take 15-20 minutes from memory and HMQ might be wanting to turn out the lights.