Hugh's that at Sir David's party?

Among them were a tie-less Hugh Grant and Jemima Khan, in a stunning silver and black dress, who have been regular guests since getting together at the party in 2004.

Back then, after spending hours cosied up to Grant, 45, the 32-year-old heiress was heard to whisper to him: "We can't be photographed together - call me later."

Other guests last night included David Cameron, who was also tie-less in a dark blue shirt, William Hague, Rod Stewart, Penny Lancaster, Rory Bremner, Imogen Stubbs, Trevor Nunn, David Blunkett, Maurice Saatchi, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Billy Connolly and his wife Pamela Stephenson, Alan Whicker, Norman Lamont, Douglas Hurd, Rowan Williams and Andrew Marr.

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson was the focus of much gossip over pictures that appeared to reveal that drugs had taken their toll on her nose.

But all chatter was halted when the fire brigade turned up, sirens blaring, right outside the door. The culprit turned out to be a faulty alarm. Just as well - had there been a fire 80 per cent of the British establishment could have been wiped out.