Ephraim Hardcastle
THE last of the peers nominated by David Cameron took her seat in the Lords this week – 30-something Laura Wyld, now Baroness Wyld of Gosforth. She used to advise Dave on the subject of honours, as it happens. Did she advise one for herself? Of course not. Theresa May hasn’t nominated anyone to the Lords but she’s improved the honours system in recognising public bravery. Westminster attack hero PC Keith Palmer got a posthumous George Medal and those who tried to save murdered Labour MP Jo Cox also received gongs. Might ‘Honours Restored’ become Theresa May’s proud epitaph?
BROADCASTER Sir Terry Wogan, who died 17 months ago, is immortalised by a bronze statue erected in his native Limerick. It’s being described as ‘Father of Ronaldo’ – a reference to the awful ‘likeness’ of Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo, exhibited at Madeira airport, both pictured.
IS ARCHBISHOP of Canterbury Justin Welby out of the woods over the Bishop Peter Ball paedophilia scandal? He forced predecessor Lord Carey to resign his honorary bishopric of Oxford for covering up for Ball. Now serving vicar Rev Graham Sawyer, who says he was abused by Ball, tells Radio 4’s PM programme that another victim he knows had to write to Welby 17 times before receiving a reply.
APROPOS the current Church of England paedophilia scandal, is it time for female leadership there? Rachel Treweek, 54, currently Bishop of Gloucester, is considered a runner, says my C of E source. First a London vicar, later Archdeacon of Hackney, she’s the choice of some modernists to become the first female Archbishop of Canterbury when unimpressive Welby surrenders his mitre.
THE Duchess of Cambridge’s high royal profile means she misses out on some plum foreign trips, points out a palace source. The Princess Royal has recently visited Germany and Austria for equestrian events. She has also sojourned in Bermuda for the America’s Cup ocean racing. Sailing fan Kate knows questions would be asked if she signed up for the latter junket. Neither is she able to indulge her passion for tennis as much as the lower-profile Duchess of Gloucester. As Wimbledon’s new patron, Kate hopes for at least one day in the royal box. The Duchess of Gloucester has so far bagged four.
WILL £1billion be enough for DUP leader ‘Queen’ Arlene Foster, who wears a crown jewel brooch on her chest? Not if she has learned anything from her party’s late leader, Rev Ian Paisley. When the ‘silent collection’ plate – notes only, no coins – came round at his Free Presbyterian Church, in Belfast, he’d sometimes roar ‘Not enough!’ and send it round again.