Gordon Brown’s non-attendance at the opening of the Beijing Olympics was said to be another example of dithering. But it turned out to be a simple diary clash. As most of the world’s leaders sweltered in the humidity of the Bird’s Nest stadium, the prime minister opted for the more temperate clime of his native land, making a surprise appearance as the keenly anticipated “mystery guest” at the opening of the 25th Edinburgh International Book Festival. With 800 writers from 45 countries, this was also a kind of world stage, but one where Mr Brown appeared to be comfortable in his own skin. The event passed largely unreported outside Scotland, and I couldn’t help wondering if this was because it went well and the prime minister made no gaffes. Instead he spoke eloquently with Ian Rankin about courage. Afterwards he took questions from the audience. One made caustic reference to the nanny state, claiming that the only things there were no rules about were “sex and breathing”. Where on earth has this person been living? There are surely more laws about sex than about any other area of human behaviour, and as everyone knows, breathing (particularly the heavy variety) has always been an integral part of sex, even in genteel Edinburgh.

Gordon Brown enjoyed a respectful audience, but two days later Craig Murray, former British Ambassador to Uzbekistan, elicited passionate support. Murray, who lost his job at the foreign office in 2005, was billed to talk about his new book, The Road to Samarkand, helpfully subtitled “Intrigue, Corruption and Dirty Diplomacy”.