Palumbo family rift shows no sign of ending

FoR 34 years the younger Lord palumbo, founder of Ministry of Sound nightclub and independent music label, hasn’t spoken to his father.

even when palumbo, 55, took his seat in the House of Lords in 2013 his father, made a peer in 1991, boycotted the ceremony. In 1995 palumbo and his two sisters, Annabella, 56, and Laura, 50, successfully sued their father, whom they accused of plundering money from a £70m family trust.

the elder palumbo, a former chairman of the Arts Council, had spent millions from the trust on vintage wine, classic cars, works of art, and two French chateaux.

But I hear that the other day palumbo junior, whose music business created a £350 million fortune, was entertaining his sisters to afternoon tea in the Lords. on a nearby table was their father with the Ukip peer Lord Stevens.

My mole, who was seated nearby, heard the music tycoon invite his father to join him and his sisters.

Initially their father refused, but was eventually persuaded by Stevens. My spy in the Lords then observed the three palumbo siblings having what seemed to be an entertaining chat with Stevens, but their father never uttered a word. So bang goes any hope of a reconciliation.

perhaps no one should be surprised by the reticence of palumbo senior, 82, given he says so little in the Lords chamber.

In the past 20 years, he’s spoken only twice — once for three minutes to pay tribute to Lady thatcher on her death. He hasn’t tabled a single written question, but found time to claim £60,000 in tax-free attendance allowances.

If and when the Lords undergoes long overdue reform, palumbo senior should be one of the first in the exit lounge.