There I was, thinking that if a story could make a political point I'd be okay replying to it - albeit with a rather hefty dollop of sarcasm.

It appears that I was mistaken. My comment has disappeared - and I note that another reader's response, which was phrased far more politely than mine, has vanished with it.

Neither of us broke any rules. My intention was to provoke reasoned discussion, my fellow reader simply wanted information.

I can only surmise that the Scottish Referendum is an issue we're not permitted to talk about. In which case I won't be surprised if I read the last few instalments of 'Bike' tomorrow and find that all references to it have been expunged.

Not holding my breath.