Words of the week

THERE are no prizes in politics for being right after the event. – Former Labour minister Chris Smith on his opposition to the 2003 Iraq invasion.

I’M not going to be playing rounds of golf or sitting at home twiddling my thumbs. – Tony Blair on why he remains involved in public life.

I AM sorry if I don’t apologise. We are learning the whole time. –

Boris Johnson on the Government’s response to Covid-19.

I’LL put the parrot down and he’ll start shouting ‘Lock the doors, lock the doors’ and people on the train start looking around. – Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle often travels with his parrot called Boris.

I DON’T think wealth, in itself, is obscene. It can be spent obscenely. – Broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen during a radio debate on philanthropy.

SITTING still really doesn’t happen very much. –

The Princess Royal, speaking ahead of her 70th birthday later this month.

I’VE learned through homeschooling that my patience is a lot shorter than I thought it was. That’s probably been the biggest eye opener for me and that my wife has super patience. – Prince William.

UNFORTUNATELY, I feel like it’s the Royal Family that lost. – Omid Scobie, co-author of a new book about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their move to the USA.

IT was something only a few strange people did at weekends. Now it’s almost like Parkrun and people do them to get fit. – Alistair Brownlee, the double Olympic champion, on the popularity of the triathlon.

THEY’RE treating this snooker event like lab rats really, so what can you do? – Ronnie O’Sullivan on some spectators being permitted to attend the World Championships before a Government U-turn yesterday.

I’LL forgive you for waking me up at 3.30am to tell me you have won the league. – Football legend Sir Alex Ferguson congratulates Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp on becoming manager of the year.

I MUST have retired about five times now. – Neil Warnock, 71, on being confirmed as Middlesbrough’s new manager.