Labour's newest luvvies

It was exemplary behaviour that demonstrated the art of spinning at its finest.

She was the hard-nosed former Downing Street aide and he was the experienced TV political editor who had succumbed to her charms.

And when Anji Hunter and Adam Boulton stepped out in public for the first time since news of their affair came to light, it was an opportunity for both to exercise their professional skills of discretion.

Both were clearly far too experienced to break the golden rule that dominates any such outing - which is to be prepared to go to any length necessary to avoid being photographed together.

As a result, the couple made a point of arriving and departing separately from the reception held to celebrate the marriage of News of the World editor Rebekah Wade to former EastEnders actor Ross Kemp.

While they succeeded in avoiding the cameras together, they demonstrated they are clearly well matched in matters of style as well as behaviour.

The couple were dressed in sober dark suits more suited to Downing Street briefings than summer nuptials as they strode purposefully into the Kensington Roof Gardens restaurant.

Their affair prompted a flurry of media attention after it came to light in a Sunday newspaper, partly because both were married and partly because it appeared to be one liaison that had escaped the attentions of the Westminster rumour mill.

But the couple were in good company at the reception, which was attended by a host of political figures, reflecting both Wade's well-placed connections and Kemp's well documented allegiance to the Labour party.

As well as chief spinner Alastair Campbell, guests included Culture Secretary Chris Smith, Chancellor Gordon Brown, and Home Secretary David Blunkett all of whom were dressed as though they had stumbled out of a late night Cabinet meeting. Former Cabinet minister Mo Mowlam also made an appearance.

The politicians rubbed shoulders with some of Kemp's co-stars, including Steve McFadden, who plays Phil Mitchell, and his real life partner Lucy Benjamin, who is Lisa Shaw.

Other guests included film director Michael Winner and The Sun's astrologer Mystic Meg and PR guru Max Clifford.