You and I met at the scene, just after the accident, so I know you were aware of the pressure and difficulty for journalists getting around Bristol on a day when all three party leaders were in town. I am aware that the noise of the impact interrupted interviews with the Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy. I offer no excuses for my reversing and I want to reiterate my and the programme's apologies.

As you know, I made several attempts at the scene to straighten the signpost by hand. I think part of the problem may have been that the tarmac was softer than normal because of the heat, which allowed the post to be moved off the vertical. Sadly the softened tarmac did not allow us to move the sign back into position, despite the presence of the police. If you wish to pursue this matter the programme and I will do our best to respond speedily.

In the meantime can I wish you all the best and thank you for treating me so courteously on what was a very pressured day.

Yours sincerely

Jeremy Vine
Newsnight