Ephraim Hardcastle
THE decision by Palace officials to announce that the Duke of Edinburgh will give up his driving licence – rather than let him just do it – is unusual. Is this designed to smother public criticism if the police, as expected, say they won’t be prosecuting Philip? ‘There’s no licence now to endorse, or to remove, so there’s little point in him making a court appearance, but public feeling must always to be taken into account,’ says my source. ‘The Queen extended her stay at Sandringham until things were sorted out.’
AS the Parliamentary Labour Party was meeting to discuss its ongoing antiSemitism crisis, Tory MP Michael Fabricant enquires: ‘So what of Shami Chakrabarti’s (2016) report for Corbyn (which got her into the Lords) saying there is none?’ Unchivalrous perhaps, but the rotter Fabricant has a point.
HARRY and Meghan must be careful what they say to the King of Morocco on their upcoming visit. Unlike the Sussexes, Mohammed VI enjoys Facebook and taking selfies. Meghan might feel on safer ground chumming up with the king’s 40-year-old wife, Princess Lalla Salma, a former WHO goodwill ambassador and advocate of women’s empowerment.
BUSY promoting her memoirs, Michelle Obama, pictured, made a ‘ surprise appearance’ at the G rammy music awards, towering over stars Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, Jada Pinkett Smith and Jennifer Lopez. The former First Lady told the audience: ‘Music has always helped me tell my story.’ My source comments cynically: ‘Apart from marrying the president, what story is that?’
TORY life peeress Lady Mone, unkindly nicknamed Baroness Brassiere from her days making ladies’ lingerie, donated a holiday at her seven-bedroom French villa, La Cascade, in Villefranche (with housekeeper and chef) at the Conservatives’ Black and White Ball. She has been trying to sell it for nearly two years, dropping the price from €15million to €12.5million. ‘Not a bad way to advertise it,’ says my source.
DESERT ISLAND DISCS, now hailed as the greatest radio show ever, featured in 1989 Lady Diana Mosley, widow of wartime fascist leader Sir Oswald. There were listener complaints when she described Adolf Hitler as ‘fascinating’. Then-presenter Sue Lawley said: ‘What about the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis?’ Lady Mosley: ‘Oh no, I don’t think it was that many.’ After a long pause, Ms Lawley said: ‘Tell us about your fifth record, Lady Mosley.’
ENGLAND’S 44-8 clobbering of France in the Six Nations match at Twickenham was reported under the headline WATERLOO in the French rugby paper Midi-Olympique. No skin off President Macron’s nose. He prefers football. However, if Manchester United hammer Paris St Germain at Old Trafford tonight...