Ephraim Hardcastle

BARONESS Scotland, 61, who has been in the Bahamas enjoying the Commonwealth Youth Games, must be annoyed that the press regulator dismissed virtually all of her complaints about media coverage of public expenditure on her grace-and-favour residence in Mayfair. The journal Caribbean News Now, discussing ‘unprecedented media interest and widespread negative stories about her activities across the Commonwealth – the appointment of so-called cronies, controversies in the Caribbean, unhappiness at Buckingham Palace and alleged misuse of public funds’ – adds: ‘The resulting implications of her continuing in office for much longer are now of active interest in a growing number of Commonwealth capitals.’ THERESA May’s decision to appear publicly in an unflattering baby-pink shirt-dress during an Italian holiday at Lake Garda fails to impress fashion observers. Is the PM solely to blame? Husband Philip says ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to her outfits. Does he possess the innate fashion know-how of tipsy previous No 10 spouse Denis Thatcher? WHILE editor Sean O’Connor was in charge of Radio 4’s The Archers, it had a storyline about spousal abuse leading to a near-fatal stabbing and a criminal trial. Now he’s gone, the show about country folk returns to more seemly plots. For instance, matriarch Jill Archer is cautioned by police for protesting about the opening of a posh restaurant by throwing a flapjack. In real life, Jill, played by Patricia Greene, 86, is reported to earn only £16,000 – that’s at least £434,000 less than Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia Winkleman, 45, both pictured. Enough to justify throwing a bakery, let alone a flapjack. BORIS Johnson’s publicity prone father, Stanley, seeks a part in Channel 4’s forthcoming six-part TV version of his novel Kompromat, about Russian interference in elections, saying he’s happy to play an elevator operator at Hotel Kempinski in St Petersburg, which is mentioned in his book. Aren’t we blessed the Johnson tribe has become so prominent in our national life? CLARIDGE’S now offers female guests silk pyjamas, their design inspired by the hotel’s art deco lobby. They’re available to buy for a cheap-as-chips £350. Frequent patrons get a free pair monogrammed with their initials. Isn’t life grand? BRENDAN Sheerin, the presenter of E4 show Coach Trip, is the latest showbiz type to claim that the Queen is a fan. Really? A royal source explains: ‘During receptions and line-ups, officials identify people who’ll be good for a photo-opportunity and prepare a briefing card for the Queen to memorise. The monarch can then hold a 90-second conversation in which she can appear familiar with their work. It’s highly unlikely she watches Coach Trip. Different if it was about her Diamond Jubilee State Coach.’