Ephraim Hardcastle
KEEN to highlight the online ‘abuse’ received by frontbench colleague and one-time girlfriend Diane Abbott, 64, Jeremy Corbyn neglected to mention during his big speech the threats long endured by BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg, 41, from his own supporters. The Spectator’s Isabel Hardman points out: ‘Looking forward to the standing ovations for other women who’ve been abused and threatened online like Laura.’ Bull’s-eye!
PRINCE Harry is unworthy of Meghan Markle, according to Canadian writers specialising in race matters. Toronto Globe and Mail ethnicity scribbler Denise Balkissoon, of Trinidadian origin, says: ‘It’s deceptive for Harry to say “stop being mean to my black girlfriend” without acknowledging that his ancestors helped build racial hierarchies worldwide.’ Black writer Rachel Decoste remarks: ‘Meghan Markle should dump him. Clearly, Prince Harry is not fit for a Nubian Queen.’ We must hope Harry enjoys a kinder reception in Los Angeles, her hometown.
ON the 2010 series of ITV’s Dancing On Ice, controversial judge Jason Gardiner likened the circular skating movements of celebrity contestant Sharron Davies, while dressed in a dark brown swimming costume, to lavatorial flushing. Olympic Silver medal-winning swimmer Davies, now 54, contemplating the return of Dancing On Ice, says: ‘I’d be very rude about him, but manners won’t allow it! It takes a lot for me to dislike someone that much.’
KING Salman of Saudi Arabia’s decision to let women drive might not have happened if he’d suffered his late father Abdullah’s fate when he visited Balmoral in 1998. Then crown prince, he was shocked when the Queen took the driver’s seat. Civil servant Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles recalled: ‘His nervousness only increased as the Queen, an army driver in wartime, accelerated the Land Rover along the narrow estate roads, talking all the time. The crown prince implored the Queen to slow down and concentrate on the road ahead.’
WORSHIPPED in Brighton, Jeremy Corbyn is without the adulation of Alan Johnson. Where is he? Alan, 67, a frequent critic of Corbyn, is reinventing himself as a TV game show contestant. The former home secretary, who quit as the member for Hull West and Hessle in May after 20 years as an MP, can be seen in ITV1’s Tipping Point: Lucky Stars, hosted by Good Morning Britain’s Ben Shephard and screened on October 1. Once fancied as a future leader, now a contestant on afternoon TV… Isn’t life grand?
THE 1961 plane crash that killed UN secretary general Dag Hammarskjold in what was then northern Rhodesia was caused by another aircraft, says a new report. Hammarskjold was on a peace mission and his death was acutely embarrassing for the Reuters news agency. Its local correspondent joined other reporters at a local bar when the arrival of Dag’s plane was delayed. Unaware of the crash, he filed a report – which the agency put out – saying bare-breasted native girls danced an airport welcome to the UN leader.