Don't expect a Spelman decision soon

The Standard is reporting that Osborne's CCHQ role will shrink if Caroline Spelman gets moved from the position of Tory Party chairman. They say the shadow chancellor has been "keeping an eye" on CCHQ while she dealt with the inquiry, although her people deny any diminution of her role

Spelman's fate is, of course, in the hands of John Lyon, the Parliamentary Commissioner who is looking into allegations she improperly paid her nanney out of public funds. This investigation has now being going on since June.

But it still isn't complete. I'm told the commissioner doesn't have a date for completion, and it could drag until the other side of Christmas, further prolonging a sense of insecurity at CCHQ. "John Lyon is very, very thorough", said a source.