Alastair Campbell used to use the phrase "dancing on the head of pin" when deflecting difficult questions on behalf of Tony Blair.
John Prescott preferred the word "froth".
But the Downing Street spin doctors working for Gordon Brown have coined a new phrase for responding to unhelpful press reports: "Collective head-scratching".
That is how Brown's official spokesman replied this morning when asked about a BBC story claiming Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have been discussing whether the former prime minister should attempt to become the President of the European Council.
The report said Blair had "so far held back, but some Downing Street figures are urging him to begin a formal campaign for the job".
Asked about the story, Brown's spokesman said: "There was some collective head-scratching about this story. The prime minister talks to Tony Blair on a regular basis. We don't comment on private conversations but we just don't recognise these reports."
So, not an outright denial then.
