Data Bungler's Identity Revealed

Police seek hapless loser with thinning red hair

Prime suspect: "Steve"

His fault too

And that

The identity of the Child Benefit data bungler has been revealed in an exclusive undercover investigation by the Onion Bag's intrepid reporter, Larry Gak.

Aghast

Gak has ascertained that the "junior official" in question is a man in his forties, with thinning red hair and prominent teeth, who answers to a name like "Steve". It's thought that he was working in a junior capacity, quite out of his depth, and without the skills, experience or knowledge needed for the job. Despite his gaffe, which has left the nation aghast, it's believed the "junior official" has left with a handsome severance payment.

Prominent

Not content with cracking one of the most high profile mysteries of the week, Gak then went on to track down the Financial Director of Northern Rock. The man responsible for the forthcoming economic meltdown is, says Gak, "a man in his forties, with thinning red hair and prominent front teeth, who answers to a name like 'Steve'".

Allegations

Interestingly, this description also fits that of a man police want to interview following allegations that he "left the bath running" in Gloucestershire over the summer, causing widespread floods. Meanwhile, a cursory look at police files from the 1970s reveals that Les Ferdinand's chief accomplice in wrecking the Blue Peter garden was thought to be "a man in his twenties, with thinning red hair and prominent front teeth, who answers to a name like 'Steve'".

Neigh

"Steve" must know that Gak is onto him. Reports from the south coast suggest that the man in question was last seen riding into the night on a horse which looked suspiciously like Shergar.

Quark