Some Tory backbenchers are in a conciliatory mood following David Cameron's statement to the House this afternoon.
One Conservative backbencher told me: "He's in an incredibly difficult position. He's got awkward backbenchers like me and those Lib Dems to deal with.
"I thought his statement went well, although Labour had a good try."
But another backbencher, who attended the meeting in Edward Leigh's office last night, was less gentle. "I was very disappointed to see all the details of our meeting on Guido this morning," they said, "although I do wonder why people bother denying they take place. There's always a pre-meeting [of eurosceptic backbenchers] if the prime minister is saying something on Europe."
Separately last night, Europe minister David Lidington was due to speak to the all-party parliamentary group on European reform. However, the event was cancelled a week ago – probably because of the awkward timing, with half of No 10 and the Foreign Office in Brussels.
Some MPs and peers didn't get the message though and turned up last night to hear the much-anticipated guest speaker, only to be disappointed.
(The event had been scheduled to take place in the press gallery, so hacks were able to see who did and didn't get the memo.)
This group is cross-party though, so no more conspiracy theories, I'm afraid.
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