Hirst’s perfected the art of ripping off the taxpayer

DAMIEN HIRST – the world’s richest artist with a £300million fortune – claimed more than £1.3million in furlough funds during the pandemic. That money was supposed to be for hard-pressed taxpayers, people who were on the verge of losing jobs and their livelihoods, not a stinking rich so-called artist who charters private planes with seats for his dogs.

During the lockdowns, Hirst’s business made £18.2million, yet he’s so damn greedy he takes money destined for the poor.

One critic said of him: “All that drives him is the empty thrill of a full wallet.”

And he was right. The man’s a disgrace. I’d say he should be ashamed of himself but I doubt he’d understand the concept.

LORO Piana, the Italian designers of the £10,500 coat Vladimir Putin was wearing at last week’s rally in Moscow, have been called on to denounce the despot for wearing their gear. I think it’s more important they apologise for charging £10,500 for an anorak that looks like it’s come out of Mountain Warehouse.

HOWEVER bad the Tories sometimes are, you’ve only got to look at the Labour benches to think: “Thank God they’re not in charge.”

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves’ response to Rishi Sunak’s budget was farcical. She kept referring to him as “Alice in Sunak-land”. Did she think that was funny? Ironic? Clever?

Well, she was wrong on all counts. That lacklustre, secondrate offering showed her up for exactly what she is – a humourless, not very bright woman who makes Jeremy Corbyn look like an inspirational public speaker.

She also called Sunak “Ted Heath with an Instagram account”. Eh?