The Daily Telegraph’s Tim Blair says Joe Biden has “always” had an “unpleasant and mean” aspect to his personality.

“It’s something Joe Biden’s very familiar with – accusation of mental defectiveness,” Mr Blair told Sky News host Chris Kenny.

“Biden’s always had this sort of unpleasant and mean aspect to his personality that’s now kind of clouded a little bit with the grandfatherly old cuddly Joe persona.

“He’s always had this spiteful kind of angle to him.

“He’s got an accusatory kind of tone to many of his interactions with the public.”