'No triumphalism': The Greek finance minister's notes

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Dutch Finance Minister and president of the Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem (L) shakes hands with newly appointed Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos (C) as French Economy, Finance and Trade Minister Michel Sapin (R) looks on during a Eurogroup meeting ahead of a Eurozone Summit meeting at the EU headquarters in Brussels 7 July 2015Image source, AFP / getty images
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The moment a handshake with Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem gave the game away

It's only his second day in the job but the new Greek finance minister, Euclid Tsakalotos, has been given an immediate demonstration of the intense level of media scrutiny that the role brings.

He failed to cover up his notes after leaving key meetings with Eurogroup members as they attempt to agree a new bailout deal. Within hours commentators were trying to decode their meaning as they circulated on the internet.

The key reminder in his notes appeared to be "no triumphalism". Presumably a reference to the weekend's referendum which rejected the Eurogroup's bailout plan.

Image source, AFP / getty images
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Some commentators are surprised that his notes are in English rather than Greek

The notes also appear to have a reference to the Greek communist party, the KKE. Other commentators are speculating on what words are covered by his thumb, including what precedes "on viability grounds".

Inevitably, a few satirical versions of the note have appeared on Twitter.

Image source, Twitter

However, Mr Tsakalotos is not the first politician to accidentally expose his secrets in the name of a photo-call...

Bob Quick - Compromises 'anti-terror operation'

Image source, Political pictures

In 2009, the UK's most senior counterterrorism police officer resigned after accidentally revealing secret documents as he entered Downing Street.

This led to a major anti-terror operation being brought forward due to fears that it may have been compromised.

Caroline Flint- Reveals 'property crisis'

The UK's ex-Housing Minister Caroline Flint revealed her fears about property prices in 2008. She was photographed with briefing documents that said: "We can't know how bad it will get."

But the minister wasn't too concerned about the leak, shrugging it off saying: "These things happen."

Sarah Palin's hand

Image source, Getty Images

The former governor of Alaska sparked controversy and ridicule after writing notes on her hand for a speech in 2010. , external

Presumably due to size constraints they were kept brief. "Energy, budget cuts, tax and lift American spirit" were written on her palm . "Budget" had been crossed out and appeared to be replaced with "tax".

US comedian Jon Stewart questioned whether the notes were actually necessary, asking: "You really need to remind yourself to lift American spirits?"

She did continue to write on her hand at certain events, but as a joke for the crowd.