Follow the nanny. In the space of just a few days David Blunkett, home secretary, and Bernard Kerik, would-be US homeland security chief, have lost their jobs in nannygate scandals. They join a long list of powerful figures who have lost public office after playing less than strictly by the rules with regard to home help. What the aristocracy used to call "below stairs" problems are now public business.

The curse of domestic help strikes equally at left and right. Before losing Mr Kerik, President George W. Bush lost Linda Chavez, his first nominee for labour secretary. President Bill Clinton lost two nominees for attorney-general - Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood - and Lani Guinier, lined up to head civil rights at the Justice Department. Congress should insert a mandatory question about nannies in all confirmation hearings; UK parliamentary whips might slip in a discreet enquiry about home help alongside the usual ones on sexuality and drugs.