In the first part of a two part Australian Story special on Alexander Downer last night, the Foreign Minister spoke candidly about being teased throughout his career:

People have said the most shocking things about me over the years. I think if I were a weaker character I would’ve given up a long time ago. People have attacked me because of my background, because of my family, they attack my because I have curly hair or the way I speak, we lived in England for a few years. It’s just been relentless. It’s just been relentless.

Here’s a snapshot of what he may have been referring to. Crikey apologises for any hurt feelings.

5 March 2003: Lex Loser’s sledgehammer diplomacy

6 March 2003: Exclusive: Alexander Downer — Pompous colonial git

7 September 2004: Fin letters: Sour grapes and Downer hypocrisy

13 December 2004: Team America — Alexander Downer?

6 June 2005: Alexander Downer rewrites history, again

8 July 2005: Alexander Downer’s aspirational target

13 October 2005: Downer dummy spit

19 January 2006: How Downer’s big mouth helped Saddam Hussein

7 February 2006: The funny side of Lord Downer

19 April 2006: Downer recollections go audio

29 May 2006: Downer’s unfortunate faux pas

18 September 2006: The outrageous, preposterous, appalling, shocking Alexander Downer.

31 August 2006: Is Downer’s daughter set to work in Dad’s own department?

27 February 2007: The Downer Dynasty continues at DFAT

19 April 2007: Emperor Downer has no clothes 

26 March 2007: Oh, possum! Go to Downer if you’re down