An audience with Prime Minister Stephen Harper is such a rare thing for journalists these days, reporters have been known to leap out of their desks and sprint for the chance to grab a little tape.

And that was exactly the scene at newsrooms across Ottawa Thursday when the Gallery announced the Prime Minister would talk to reporters in the foyer of the House of Commons, in precisely ten minutes.

Several correspondents were seen sprinting to the Hill, toting microphones and tape recorders as they ran to make the Prime Minister's deadline.

At the appointed moment, the Prime Minister descended a stone stair case and settled himself into position in front of the glaring camera lights and, literally, breathless reporters.

"I hear that one of my cabinet ministers has an ex-girlfriend," Harper said. "It's none of my business. It's none of Mr. Duceppe's business, it's none of Mr. Dion's business."

Harper, of course, was talking about Maxime Bernier, who has been accused of having spent several months in a relationship with a woman alleged to have ties to members of biker gangs.

Rumours of the links have been swirling around Ottawa for weeks, but only became public Wednesday.

The Bloc Québécois and Liberal leaders immediately leapt into the fray, accusing Maxime Bernier of somehow having violated national security through his association with the woman.

"Mr. Duceppe and Mr. Dion are quite a group of gossipy old busybodies," Mr. Harper said and walked away.