Ephraim Hardcastle
DOWNING St aide Dominic Cummings, who is accused of ‘bullying’ ministers, is supported indirectly by his father-in-law, baronet Sir Humphry Wakefield, in a letter to The Times. Writing from Chillingham Castle, Northumberland, about allegations of bullying against Home Secretary Priti Patel, the thrice-married antiques expert, 83, says: ‘I have worked in many long-established offices around the world. I have found it near impossible to change old habits without appearing to “bully”. Throwing chilling water on attempted inspiration is a special skill of department leaders whose relaxed life is under threat.’ Cummings, married to journalist Mary Wakefield, is certainly an obstacle to relaxed life in Whitehall.
WILL former culture secretary Nicky Morgan – now perched in the Lords as Lady Morgan – be invited to replace BBC chairman Sir David Clementi, who is due to step down next year? That would cause unrest in the corporation hen coop. Lady Morgan, 47, has written: ‘The leadership of the BBC would best aid their cause by accepting that “no change” is not an option.’
KEEN self-publicist Gyles Brandreth, promoting a stage tour on BBC Radio Derby, recalls the late Sir John Gielgud, pictured, accepting an invitation from himself and then Labour MP Glenda Jackson to celebrate his 90th birthday. ‘I said, “Oh, Sir John, we’re so honoured you should choose to have luncheon with us on the day of your 90th birthday.” He replied, “Oh my dears, I’m delighted. You see, most of my real friends are dead.” ’
VETERAN broadcaster David ‘Diddy’ Hamilton, 81, is tickled by his ‘older’ friend Jess Conrad’s claim here yesterday that if there is a more handsome 84-year-old actor than himself he’ll eat his Equity card. Hamilton recalls: ‘When Jess Conrad was goalkeeper of the Showbiz XI, he often dived towards the photographer behind the goal. We called him Cinderella, because he was always late for the ball.’
LONDON mayoral candidate Rory Stewart, 47, posts a video showing him sailing down the Thames to publicise his life of ‘public service’ in the UK and overseas. BBC Question Time’s perky producer Poppy Bullard, 27, responds: ‘Rory mate, everyone already knows you’re a spy. No need to literally speed down the Thames past MI6.’ Stewart insists: ‘I was not a spy but I am proud to have served my country.’
FLOODING in Shrewsbury prompts rival pronunciations of its name on the airwaves. While Sky and the BBC News channel opt for ‘Shroosbury’, posher Sarah Montague on Radio 4’s World At One, opts for ‘Shrowsbury’. Broadcaster Mark Steel, of Radio 4’s In Town, says: ‘Civil wars have been fought over less.’
CURRENTLY touring The Cat And The Canary, Britt Ekland, 77, scolds a Yorkshire Post scribbler for describing her as a ‘former Bond girl’. She points out: ‘You can be a “former wife”, but once a Bond Girl, always a Bond Girl!’