THE greatest news in the Oscars was that Mark Rylance won a best supporting gong.

One of the nicest, most genuine people I have met in all my years in journalism.

An actor of integrity, honesty unmatched.

Although he was awarded for his role in Bridge of Spies many will remember him for his portrayal of Thomas Cromwell in the series Wolf Hall.

He played Henry VIII's spin doctor.

Yes, they had them even then.

Cromwell was a self-appointed "Chief of Staff".

He worked for himself and his king. In that order.

Sounds all so familiar in this day and age.

He would pay lip service and trot out press releases sometimes working for anyone who would seek his counsel.

Mark Rylance played that role perfectly.

In real life he is a great campaigner.

And like me he is delighted at yesterday's report that the Freedom of Information Act remains intact.

More than ever we need FoI – which was born in 2000.

Not only journalists, but the public cry out for it.

Many government departments and local councils wanted to charge for the right to know.

Some will still say they can’t afford it.

Happily, it won't be going away.

Thankfully, despite some amendments, the FoI will enable us all to demand transparency on everything from MP and councillors' salaries, expenses and consultation fees. We can also see where conflicts of interest arise.

This week the Globe revealed details on emails within Wirral Council.

The response on our website said it all – a newspaper publishing information politicians and their advisers rather was not published.

Next week the Inferno hits 100 editions – no better celebratory curtain-raiser than having the FoI here to stay. We need to see the dirty linen.

Thomas Cromwell, who was executed for treason (what goes around comes around), would be spinning in his grave.

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WE have party politics... now we have another strand... parental politics.

Politicians are seeing opposition, relatively speaking, from members of their own families.

David Cameron's mum and aunt spoke about anti-austerity.

Once they had put their silver spoons back in the cutlery draw they went out of their way to speak out and even go on demonstrations.

Democracy in action.

Boris Johnson's dad is against his son's anti-EU stance.

Now Boris' hooray Henrietta sister, Rachel, is revealing her brother's dilemma.

The EU is splitting the family. America meanwhile thrives on families becoming political dynasties – it is as near as they will get to royalty.

We have had the Kennedys, the Bush clan and the Clintons.

And now as we see Donald Trump's victories on Super Tuesday it looks like the Trump family are gearing up for Trump juniors to eye up the White House in the years to come. Hair raising!

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YESTERDAY Tommy Steele returned to a city he loves.

He is appearing in The Glenn Miller Story at the Liverpool Empire.

Mr Steele is an amazing versatile all rounder actor, painter, author, director, film star and sculptor.

His statue of Eleanor Rigby was donated to the city in 1982 for a fee of half a sixpence, the title of one of his films.

Tommy once told me how years after donating his statue he was saddened by the tragedy of Hillsborough and was so moved by the dignity of fans that he travelled to Liverpool incognito and went straight to the statue in Stanley Street.

With tears in his eyes he draped a scarf around Eleanor.

He then returned to London. To this day scarves are often placed around Ms Rigby's shoulders.

A living legacy to all the lonely people left behind after Hillsborough.

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AND finally... Channel 5 is excelling itself with its tireless series on people on benefits.

They have clearly carved a niche in depressing documentaries.

It was fitting however that a new series now featuring on C5 sums up its own appeal. It's called The Best of Bad TV.

Peter Grant