Of course he was.

The official at the centre of the Olympic boxing gender row was one of Sir Keir Starmer’s best men at his wedding.

Mark Adams, the spokesman for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has known the Prime Minister since the two men were at school together.

Naturally. They grew up together in the leafy suburb of Womendontmatterby (pronounced Smugbro).

Mr Adams expressed concerns earlier this week about a “witch hunt” against boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, who have previously failed gender eligibility tests.

Mr Adams expressed no concerns about the consequences to women of allowing male boxers to fight women. Mr Adams expressed irritation at being pressed on the subject.

Khelif and Yu-Ting were disqualified from the Women’s World Boxing Championships in March 2023 after failing gender tests. However, the IOC has different rules from the International Boxing Association.

Mr Adams said earlier this week that he was comfortable with the rules.

Of course he did. Not his nose that was going to be broken. No skin off it whatsoever.