Ephraim Hardcastle
WITH all the participants safely dead, Chips Channon Diaries editor Simon Heffer might have thought he was immune from causing offence writing about the sexual peccadillos of Channon and his wartime chums. But his description of Liberal MP Rob Bernays, father of Trinity College Oxford honorary fellow Richard, as a ‘flagellomaniac’ displeased some family members. However, the abiding mystery is the content of the only diary entry Heffer has censored, explaining it would cause distress to people still alive. Do tell Simon!
HAS newly appointed Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries forgiven bushy-bearded critic Christopher Howse for describing her 2014 debut novel The Four Streets, based on growing up as a Catholic in 1950s Liverpool, as ‘the worst novel I’ve read in ten years’. Nadine has had the last laugh. Now a best-selling novelist, she’s earning far more scribbling – reportedly £132,000 a year – than she gets as Oliver Dowden’s replacement.
WHILE Prince Charles’s continued discomfiture over the cash-for-honours probe should distract attention from younger brother Andrew’s ongoing legal plight, the involvement of the High Court could see him offered as a royal sacrificial lamb. The Queen, although retaining a right of veto, has apparently put Andrew’s future in Charles’s hands as the de facto head of the family following Philip’s passing. Removing Andrew’s remaining military ranks would certainly switch the media spotlight from Charles. The Queen’s favourite son might not be sweating, but who can blame him for being anxious?
IS Colin Brazier’s elevation to the prime evening slot on GB News in succession to Andrew Neil a dream come true for the Bradford-born Emmy winner? Brazier, pictured, is known to hero worship Neil and once fell to his knees in front of him at a festive literary shindig chanting: ‘Holiness. I am not worthy.’
COMEDIAN Harry Hill’s £1,500 wooden installation commemorating the place and dates of the assassinations of JFK, John Lennon and six others has been selected for the coveted Royal Academy Summer Exhibition opening on Wednesday. The selection of works is done without the judging panel knowing the name of the artist, says the Academy. So jumbo collars aloft for Harry, an amateur artist with just a modicum of talent, who has had works chosen for each of the previous five years!
ARCHITECTURAL historian and Spectator contributor John Martin Robinson confesses to an admiration for the Georgian buildings surrounding the magazine’s WC1 offices, telling the Oldie: ‘When Boris was editor he seemed to spend most of his time bonking Petronella Wyatt on the seat of a car in the garage in Brownlow Mews.’ Surely time for a blue plaque!
JUST a Minute presenter Nicholas Parsons’s widow Ann enjoyed a chuckle at the Cavalry and Guards Club launch of the new thriller by the late Dick Francis’s son Felix. Paying tribute to Nicholas, who died aged 96 last year, Felix quipped: ‘They say that when the vicar at his funeral said: “Ashes to Ashes,” a voice came up from the grave: “Repetition, Ashes”.’