Top Tory club ‘turned into a Starbucks’

THERE’S life in the Tory Party yet, judging by the latest scandal at the Conservatives’ spiritual home, the Carlton Club.

The London haunt, where Theresa May is an honorary life member, is still reeling from the revolt over the appointment of Major Simon Robinson as club secretary last autumn.

Members complained the Queen’s former aide was of ‘ ill- repute’ — although he denied rumours of an extramarital affair.

Now Carlton members are threatening to resign again, due to proposals issued by deputy chairman George Kynoch.

For the first time they will be permitted to use mobile phones in the Morning Room, the discreet parlour favoured by Tory Cabinet ministers. Laptops will be allowed for business use, and the strict dress code will be ‘relaxed’.

The modernisation plans have sparked ‘a fearsome revolt’, according to a senior member, who says Baroness Thatcher’s former bolthole is being turned into ‘a version of Starbucks coffee shops’.

‘No one consulted us,’ the member splutters. ‘People will be on their gadgets doing business and ignoring the polite art of conversation.’

Robinson declined to respond to enquiries.

An insider says the once- elite political stronghold now appeals to the ‘lowest common denominator’.

SHARK-PRESERVER Damien Hirst is in a pickle over his home improvement plans at his £40 million London mansion overlooking Regent’s Park. After months of wrangling, the artist’s plans to build a lift on the outside of the upper floors, going down to a subterranean art gallery, have finally been blocked. ‘The proposed lift shaft extension would harm the special interest and significance of this Grade Ilisted building,’ say council planners. Hirst’s palatial home, designed by the great London architect John Nash, is seen as a masterpiece, unlike Hirst’s latest exhibition in Venice, which some critics say should be ‘dumped at the bottom of the sea’. Back to the drawing board . . .