Mr Venizelos threw his hat into the ring at the last moment, after running a whispering campaign against Mr Papademos.

ECONOMIST: How not to form a government

Sturrock supposedly fell victim to a whispering campaign that began as a spark, and built in force and power until it became a blazing forest fire.

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Her friends say that once she was home, Ms Mowlam adjusted loyally to her diminished responsibilities, performed them with enthusiasm, but fell victim to a whispering campaign, inspired from on high and designed to force her out.

ECONOMIST: The lady vanishes

Although during the previous week the Quinns and the few other Catholics living nearby had been threatened and told to move out, a whispering campaign suggested other motives for the bombing: a paramilitary drugs dispute perhaps, or a family feud.

ECONOMIST: From forward march to retreat