It all started with Alexander Downer checking his phone. The former foreign minister turned high commissioner to London was meeting a diplomatic source over a gin and tonic when he felt a familiar urge to look at his messages.

Being well brought up – he has two middle names, after all – Downer knew this was impolite, but conceded to the ABC it’s something he does “occasionally” during meetings. “You shouldn’t really do it,” he counselled.