Possible Clues:

• The French paper that is socialist
• Presumably took just odd samples of wine, rice or fine red
• Port that is socialist
• Red newt found in resting place
• A radical (colloq.)
• Person with radical tendencies (informal)
• Liberal, informally
• Article in French newspaper that is socialist
• Radical English newspaper involved in piece of deception
• Livingstone perhaps keeping newt in lounge