What a performance

Mary Rice will not have enjoyed the industrial tribunal against the Medical Research Council (page 2), which found that the MRC was justified in dismissing her for sceptical remarks about its accepting money from the tobacco industry. But she might have regarded the tribunal findings as appropriate in their description of the role of Nick Winterton, executive director. "Mr Winterton was acting up as chief executive in the absence of Sir Dai Rees," says the tribunal report. Mrs Rice is now thought to be seeking a new career in Formula 1 motor racing.