Ephraim Hardcastle
THE petty republicanism of Labour’s new leader Jeremy Corbyn is in stark contrast to the opportunistic behaviour of Tony Blair’s incoming crew in 1997, which was immortalised in Peter Morgan’s script for the film The Queen. Many of Blair’s ‘Cool Britannia’ hangers-on had little time for the monarchy. The death of ‘People’s Princess’ Diana – and accompanying public uproar over the Royal Family’s response – provided them with a perfect opportunity to put the boot into the monarchy. Instead, Blair chose to pose as the institution’s saviour. THE Duchess of Cambridge is under pressure to attend the state banquet for China’s President Xi Jinping on October 20. Especially since it’s been announced that she, William and Harry will adorn the premiere of Spectre, the new Bond film, six days later. What Kate might wear is an issue. Arriving at a state banquet in an unadorned gown might look strange. A court source says: ‘She requires an honour to wear on her breast. The Royal Family Order of the Queen would be suitable. Diana had one and wore it on state occasions (see picture). The lack of one might explain Kate’s avoidance of state events.’ A PRIZE-winning business journalist for Channel 4, talented Faisal Islam, 38, was a well-established broadcasting face. So why does he seem so lost now as political editor at Sky News, which he joined just over a year ago, succeeding Adam Boulton, 56. ‘Faisal’s being “big-footed” by Adam,’ says my source. Big-foots are senior TV correspondents who seek to dominate subordinates. DESPITE appearances, hale and hearty Ken Livingstone, 70, says weedy-looking Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, 66, is fitter than he is, admitting: ‘He doesn’t drink and I do.’ Indeed so. His successor as London mayor, Boris Johnson, claimed last year: ‘We haven’t finished his vast stock of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.’ Livingstone said his 10am glass of whisky was medicinal, taken to alleviate chest problems. BA’s Captain Chris Henkey, 63, pictured, hero of last week’s aborted take-off drama in Las Vegas, was photographed in this distinctive, multi-coloured offduty blazer. It’s not a Bullingdon Clubstyle outfit but something more worthy – for membership of Wooden Spoon, a charity helping disabled children. Formed by members of England’s rugby team when they lost in Dublin in 1983, having failed to win a single game in the Five Nations Championship, they were awarded the wooden spoon. Their repentance took the form of raising more than £1million so far for children. THE Reg Flag communist anthem was sung lustily yesterday – all six verses, by more than 200 largely la-di-da voices – in the Savile Club, ex-haunt of writers HG Wells, WB Yeats and Thomas Hardy. Corbynmania reaches Mayfair! Friends were celebrating the life of acerbic Leftist journalist, New Orleans jazz expert and wine-nosing authority David John Bradbury, who died, aged 72, in July.