Peter Walker

Guardian senior political correspondent. DMs open. Email: [email protected] Secure email if needed: [email protected]

[Peter Walker @peterwalker99]

@SwintonGroup Hello, how does anyone cancel their policy with you? It can't be done on the website or via email, the phone no on your website goes to an exasperated garage owner, and your chat bot disconnects. Any clues? Or just cancel the direct debit?

[Peter Walker @peterwalker99]

@AvantiWestCoast If it's helpful for future queries like this, while you can't book zero adult/teens only tickets on the website, you *can* on the app. Saves me a trip to Euston.

[Peter Walker @peterwalker99]

@AvantiWestCoast Hello, I'm trying to buy tickets for two 14-year-olds from Manchester to London, but your phone person said they need an adult with them. But that's not true, is it? I was previously told they can travel if they both have letters of permission from parents.

[Peter Walker @peterwalker99]

@AvantiWestCoast Well, that's reassuring. I think.

[Peter Walker @peterwalker99]

@AvantiWestCoast Or have your phone line staff gone rogue and declared independence?

[Peter Walker @peterwalker99]

@AvantiWestCoast I clearly am. Are you sure your phone line isn't being run by a rival train firm – or even National Express – who are trying to ruin your reputation?

[Peter Walker @peterwalker99]

@AvantiWestCoast I'm clearly going to have to travel to Euston to buy the tickets in person, but it's all pretty chaotic on your part.

[Peter Walker @peterwalker99]

@AvantiWestCoast I tried again and that team on the phone were adamant they can't sell two child tickets for 14yos without an adult travelling 'in case something happens'. They checked with the managers. This is utterly bonkers.

[Peter Walker @peterwalker99]

@AvantiWestCoast I can't book online - you can't make a booking with zero adults – and the person on the phone was adamant she couldn't sell me tickets without an adult ticket. She checked with a supervisor. It's a real mess.

[Peter Walker @peterwalker99]

@AvantiWestCoast Hi Lucy, they're not under 13 - as the original message said, they're both 14. How can I buy tickets for them to travel solo?

[Peter Walker @peterwalker99]

You can't buy tickets without an adult on your website, which is why I was told to try on the phone. I'm not sure your staff member knew the rules.

[Peter Walker @peterwalker99]

@AdamTaylorEsq Good knowledge

[Peter Walker @peterwalker99]

Andor: 29 brilliant and *very* minor characters, ranked. A THREAD

I don't post here any more because.... well, you know. But this (should be) so uncontroversial and it's so off my usual subject I'm giving it a go.

** contains some spoilers **

[Peter Walker @peterwalker99]

@DaveASpencer It really is.

[Peter Walker @peterwalker99]

1. Dr Gorst
Who else? Joshua James is on screen for a matter of minutes, even counting his haunting of Bix’s dreams, but his puppyishly eager explanation of the appalling interrogation method he has helped devise is very genuinely unsettling.

[Peter Walker @peterwalker99]

2. Ulaf
This ageing and ailing prisoner on the brink of release – they all believe – is raging against his own dying light, angrily insisting he can work as hard anyone amid increasing confusion. A deeply moving performance by Christopher Fairbank.