The Steeple Times

Tag: 1999

  • Messy Mackinlay

    Messy Mackinlay

    As the CPS charge Tory candidate Craig Mackinlay, Theresa May’s poor judgment is yet again illustrated

     

    Yesterday, in spite of Craig Mackinlay, the Conservative candidate for South Thanet, being charged with offences under the Representation of the People Act 1983, Theresa May strangely leapt to his defence.

     

    Mackinlay, a businessman, Tory MP for the constituency from 2015 and leader of the deputy leader of UKIP from 1997 to 2000, defeated then UKIP leader Nigel Farage at the last election by 2,812 votes. Allegations relating to his election spending returns that campaign are cause of his current woes and if convicted, the one-time Conservative Member of Parliament could face up to a year in jail for corruption.

     

    In a statement, issued on his Facebook page on Friday, Mackinlay remarked:

     

    My candidature in South Thanet is entirely unaffected and my campaign continues as before. I will not let this decision affect the hard work I do for my constituents and the hard work I hope to do for them after 8th June.

     

    Our justice system is underpinned by the presumption of innocence and I am confident that I will be acquitted as I have done nothing wrong and acted honestly and properly whilst a candidate in 2015, and as all candidates do, acted upon advice throughout.

     

    Clearly this is a shocking decision by the CPS, given that I’ve done nothing wrong and I am confident that this will be made very clear as the matter progresses.

     

    I am very disappointed with the way this has been handled by the CPS and Kent Police, and I must question the timing of this decision given that Kent Police confirmed on 18th April that their file had been sent to the CPS to review and make their decision: why leave this until a few days before the election?

     

    In response, Nigel Farage – a man, if Mackinlay is indeed convicted, plainly robbed in 2015 – commented:

     

    Once again, it is bad judgment from Theresa May. Why on earth would you allow someone to go ahead as General Election candidate when this cloud was clearly hanging over him?

     

    I’m pleased that somebody’s been charged. My only regret is that there aren’t quite a lot more of them. I personally believe that the law was being broken wholesale in by-elections and in the general election.

     

    What does it mean? Well, effectively what it means in that constituency is that, whilst his name will stay on the ballot paper, I think the chances of people voting for him are now very slim.

     

    So, I think that constituency will be a straight fight, now, between UKIP and the Labour Party, and I will be there [on Saturday] afternoon giving a speech at 5 o’clock to support our candidate.

     

    Illustrating her dumbfounded loyalty, Theresa May, however, added:

     

    The Conservative Party continues to believe that these allegations are unfounded. Craig Mackinlay is innocent until proven guilty and he remains our candidate.

     

    Shame on Mrs May: She should have, whether innocent or guilty, put a stop to Craig Mackinlay again running for election months ago.

     

     
     

  • Sharon Hodgson MP

    Sharon Hodgson MP

    Despite being Shadow Minister for Public Health and claiming to be a campaigner to improve children’s diets, Labour’s ‘jolly giant’ Sharon Hodgson is a big fan of kebabs. This Geordie ex-payroll clerk once claimed she’d rescue her handbag if her house were on fire, remarked: “Labour is teetering on the edge of political irrelevance” in 2016 and in 2017 usefully concluded: “Brexit has given us the capacity to look at things differently”. She’s up there with Diane Abbott in terms of her brainbox qualities.

     

  • Staging the Dollars

    Staging the Dollars

    Prominent banker attempts to sell San Francisco mansion for a sum 205% higher than it achieved in 1993; it comes with an outdoor theatre

     

    Built in 1904 of brick on a wood frame and subject to a seismic upgrade in 1994, 3444 Washington Street in Presidio Heights, San Francisco was sold for $15.2 million in 2006 (the equivalent of £11.8 million, $18.4 million, €13.9 million or درهم55.8 million today) and before that for $5.9 million in 1993 (the equivalent of £7.8 million, $10 million, €9.1 million or درهم36.7 million today). It is currently owned by the banker David A. Coulter and his “social entrepreneur” wife Susan Weeks Coulter and has recently been placed for sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million).

     

    Offered by Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company, the 9,074 square foot “Georgian-style residence” comes with not only 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms but also an outdoor amphitheatre complete with terraced seating and an al fresco kitchen with a barbecue. The 4-storey building was last remodeled in 2008 and also includes a media room with wet bar and views of the Golden Gate Bridge, a wine cellar with capacity for 1,600 bottles, a lift, staff quarters and a 2-car garage.

     

    Staging the Dollars – 3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America – For sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million) through Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company and owned by banker David A. Coulter and his social entrepreneur wife Susan Weeks Coulter.
    Susan Weeks Coulter and her husband David A. Coulter (left and right)
    Staging the Dollars – 3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America – For sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million) through Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company and owned by banker David A. Coulter and his social entrepreneur wife Susan Weeks Coulter.
    3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America
    Staging the Dollars – 3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America – For sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million) through Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company and owned by banker David A. Coulter and his social entrepreneur wife Susan Weeks Coulter.
    The garden features an amphitheatre complete with terraced seating
    Staging the Dollars – 3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America – For sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million) through Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company and owned by banker David A. Coulter and his social entrepreneur wife Susan Weeks Coulter.
    The view from the house

     

    Property taxes on the house were a not insubstantial sum of £154,959 in 2015 ($199,685, €182,686 or درهم733,690). Mr and Mrs Coulter attempted to sell 3444 Washington Street in 2008 but subsequently withdrew it from the market after reducing their then asking price from $17.5 million to $12 million (the equivalent of £13.6 million to £10.6 million, $19.9 million to $13.6 million, €16 million to €12.4 million or درهم64.3 million to درهم50 million today). They also own reportedly bought a penthouse at 55 East 72nd Street in New York in 2012.

     

    Pennsylvania born, Carnegie Mellon University educated Mr Coulter, currently a special limited partner at Warburg Pincus, was previously vice chairman of JP Morgan Chase & Co. from 2001 to 2005. He was chairman and CEO of Bank of America Corporation for two years from 1996, but was unceremoniously fired when that organisation was “eaten alive” by Hugh McColl’s NationsBank in October 1998.

     

    Staging the Dollars – 3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America – For sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million) through Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company and owned by banker David A. Coulter and his social entrepreneur wife Susan Weeks Coulter.Staging the Dollars – 3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America – For sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million) through Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company and owned by banker David A. Coulter and his social entrepreneur wife Susan Weeks Coulter.Staging the Dollars – 3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America – For sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million) through Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company and owned by banker David A. Coulter and his social entrepreneur wife Susan Weeks Coulter. Staging the Dollars – 3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America – For sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million) through Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company and owned by banker David A. Coulter and his social entrepreneur wife Susan Weeks Coulter.Staging the Dollars – 3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America – For sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million) through Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company and owned by banker David A. Coulter and his social entrepreneur wife Susan Weeks Coulter.Staging the Dollars – 3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America – For sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million) through Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company and owned by banker David A. Coulter and his social entrepreneur wife Susan Weeks Coulter.Staging the Dollars – 3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America – For sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million) through Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company and owned by banker David A. Coulter and his social entrepreneur wife Susan Weeks Coulter.Staging the Dollars – 3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America – For sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million) through Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company and owned by banker David A. Coulter and his social entrepreneur wife Susan Weeks Coulter. Staging the Dollars – 3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America – For sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million) through Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company and owned by banker David A. Coulter and his social entrepreneur wife Susan Weeks Coulter.Staging the Dollars – 3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America – For sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million) through Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company and owned by banker David A. Coulter and his social entrepreneur wife Susan Weeks Coulter.Staging the Dollars – 3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America – For sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million) through Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company and owned by banker David A. Coulter and his social entrepreneur wife Susan Weeks Coulter.Staging the Dollars – 3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America – For sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million) through Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company and owned by banker David A. Coulter and his social entrepreneur wife Susan Weeks Coulter.Staging the Dollars – 3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America – For sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million) through Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company and owned by banker David A. Coulter and his social entrepreneur wife Susan Weeks Coulter.Staging the Dollars – 3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America – For sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million) through Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company and owned by banker David A. Coulter and his social entrepreneur wife Susan Weeks Coulter.Staging the Dollars – 3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America – For sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million) through Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company and owned by banker David A. Coulter and his social entrepreneur wife Susan Weeks Coulter. Staging the Dollars – 3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America – For sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million) through Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company and owned by banker David A. Coulter and his social entrepreneur wife Susan Weeks Coulter.

    https://vimeo.com/212072933

  • Bob Marshall-Andrews QC

    Bob Marshall-Andrews QC

    A “libertarian-left” Labour MP between 1997 and 2010, distinguished barrister and novelist Bob Marshall-Andrews defected to the Liberal Democrats in 2017. Described as “an irritant” to his former party whilst they were in government, multi-millionaire Marshall-Andrews built and owns “one of the most innovative houses of the 20th century – the famed ‘Teletubby House’ in Druidston, Pembrokeshire – and is chairman of the George Adamson Wildlife Trust. In 2013, of him, Chambers Legal Directory remarked: “Juries love him… I’ve never seen a jury eat out of anyone’s hand as much” whilst he amusingly references himself as “the complete antidote to political humbug”. Of Labour, this “intellectually brilliant” individual added: “They’re a basket case…They effectively abdicated all responsibility [on Brexit]”.

     

    Bob Marshall-Andrews QC – Barrister, former Labour MP and novelist Bob Marshall-Andrews QC – Barrister, former Labour MP and novelist

     

  • A Star Subaru

    A Star Subaru

    1996 Subaru Impreza – chassis 001 – to be auctioned with an estimate of £175,000 to £200,000; it was driven by amongst others the late Colin McRae

     

    “One of the most important rally cars ever made” – according to Octane magazine – is to be sold at auction this June.

     

    The Subaru Impreza – chassis number PR0WRC97001 – offered was the rally car that won at Rali Vinho da Madeira, Rally Cyprus and Aviano Rally in 1999. It was driven by amongst others Colin McRae MBE (1968 – 2007) and Valentino Rossi and was renovated using original parts in a project overseen by Subaru’s Prodrive sales manager, Steve Smith.

     

    A Star Subaru – £175,000 to £200,000 estimate on 1996 Subaru Impreza PR0WRC97001 – To be auctioned by H&H Auctioneers at the Royal Automobile Club at Woodcote Park in Surrey on 6th June 2017.A Star Subaru – £175,000 to £200,000 estimate on 1996 Subaru Impreza PR0WRC97001 – To be auctioned by H&H Auctioneers at the Royal Automobile Club at Woodcote Park in Surrey on 6th June 2017.

     

    Of the car, its current owner commented:

     

    “It’s a truly exhilarating car to drive with levels of grip and handling that would still embarrass many a modern supercar. Plus it runs on high octane pump fuel. It’s doubtful that there will ever be another Subaru rally car from the same period restored like this one if only because the correct SRT parts are so difficult to locate. Pattern parts might be produced in time but chassis 001 is the real thing”.

     

    The left hand drive car – which comes with the registration ‘P18 WRC’ – will be sold on 6th June at the Royal Automobile Club at Woodcote Park in Surrey by H&H Auctioneers. An estimate of £175,000 to £200,000 ($224,000 to $256,000, €206,000 to €235,000 or درهم824,000 to درهم942,000) has been set – the same figure as it was guided at in October 2015. It was previously marketed for £85,000 ($109,000, €100,000 or درهم400,000) in 2009.

     

  • A Smoking Aston

    A Smoking Aston

    1996 Aston Martin shooting brake complete with humidor to be sold at auction

    One of just three 1996 Aston Martin V8 coupé shooting brake conversions is to be offered for sale at auction by Bonhams in May.

    A Smoking Aston – 1996 Aston Martin V8 Sportsman coupé shooting brake conversion – To be auctioned by Bonhams on 13th May 2017 at Aston Martin’s Newport Pagnell Works Service – Estimate of £300,000 to £350,000 ($384,000 to $449,000, €358,000 to €418,000 or درهم1.4 million to درهم1.6 million)
    The car’s most unusual extra is this humidor

    The left hand drive, automatic 1996 Aston Martin V8 Sportsman estate offered is presented in British Racing Green with matching interior trim and “plentiful walnut embellishment”. Ordered as one of a pair by two Swiss brothers, the car was rebuilt by the factory in 1999 and then sold to a French art collector based in Monaco.

     

    Upgraded with a satellite navigation system, the vehicle has covered just 13,000 miles from new and is described as being “a very clean car”. Auctioneers Bonhams have set an estimate of £300,000 to £350,000 ($384,000 to $449,000, €358,000 to €418,000 or درهم1.4 million to درهم1.6 million) and will offer the vehicle at their 13th May sale at Aston Martin’s Newport Pagnell Works Service.

  • A Catty Catastrophe

    A Catty Catastrophe

    ‘Bride of Wildenstein’ got her claws out in New York; her boyfriend learns a lesson about playing with cats

     

    Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes once remarked: “Those who’ll play with cats must expect to be scratched” and now, it seems, 76-year old plastic surgery obsessive and feline lookalike Jocelyn Wildenstein’s boyfriend has ended up getting exactly that.

     

    The former wife of the now deceased billionaire Alec Wildenstein – and the lucky recipient of £2 billion ($2.5 billion or €2.4 billion or درهم‎‎9.2 billion) and £79.5 million a year ($100 million or €94.6 million or درهم‎‎367.3 million a year) for 13 years after their 1999 divorce – was arrested early Wednesday after gouging her boyfriend’s face with her nails and stabbing him twice in the chest with her scissors at the Trump World Tower apartment they’ve shared for the last 13 years.

     

    A Catty Catastrophe – Feline-like Bride of Wildenstein Jocelyn Wildenstein and couturier Lloyd Klein – Fight at Trump World Tower, Wednesday 7th December 2016 - Delony assault charges in the second degree – She is accused of inflicting injuries with a weapon
    Jocelyn Wildenstein’s mugshot following her arrest on Wednesday 7th December 2016
    A Catty Catastrophe – Feline-like Bride of Wildenstein Jocelyn Wildenstein and couturier Lloyd Klein – Fight at Trump World Tower, Wednesday 7th December 2016 - Delony assault charges in the second degree – She is accused of inflicting injuries with a weapon
    An injured Lloyd Klein in New York this week following Jocelyn Wildenstein attacking him
    A Catty Catastrophe – Feline-like Bride of Wildenstein Jocelyn Wildenstein and couturier Lloyd Klein – Fight at Trump World Tower, Wednesday 7th December 2016 - Delony assault charges in the second degree – She is accused of inflicting injuries with a weapon
    Mr Klein tweeted a picture of himself with Donald Trump in November and congratulated him on his victory over Hillary Clinton; he has over 5,000 followers on Twitter

     

    Swiss born Wildenstein, née Périsset, appeared in court later in the day charged with felony assault charges in the second degree. She is accused of inflicting injuries with a weapon against 49-year old Canadian couturier Lloyd Klein and allegedly poured hot wax over him, “went for his face with her nails” and “grabbed some scissors and stabbed them twice into his chest”. The cat-like woman is to said to have been provoked into the violent frenzy after Klein allegedly failed to “pay her enough attention” after an evening meal, according to an unnamed source who spoke with the Mail Online.

     

    The source spoke of what happened at length and commented:

     

    “She can blow up anytime, anywhere and absolutely no reason. He says she is a truly beautiful person when she’s on her best behavior. But when flies into one of her incredible rages – look out”.

     

    “… He was very scared, he asked her to calm down but she just got angrier and angrier and threatened to kill him”.

     

    “Lloyd just pushed her inside [a walk-in closet in their Manhattan apartment] o get her to calm down. He told her this couldn’t be happening and this was wrong but he didn’t lock her up [as she claimed at the time]”.

     

    “She started calling her agent, calling 911, calling security, calling anyone she could to say she was being attacked and held prisoner”.

     

    “But when the cops arrived it was patently obvious that she could have opened the door herself”.

     

    “By now Lloyd’s face was all scratched and swollen, he had two scissor stabs to his chest. The police took one look at the blood and realized he was the victim”.

     

    “He knows it will happen again if they live under the same roof. Lloyd is very private and focused on protecting his image and his brand but Jocelyn gets a kick out this”.

     

    “The remarks about her facial features don’t worry her. She likes a good scandal”.

     

    Here, indeed, is a cat that needs to be caged: Jocelyn Wildenstein should be locked up for her and everyone else’s safety.

     

    Catty Quotes:

     

    “Artists like cats; soldiers like dogs” – Desmond Morris

     

    “The problem with cats is that they get the exact same look on their face whether see a moth or an axe murderer” – Paula Poundstone

     

    “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals” – Winston Churchill

     

    “Cats have a scam going – you buy the food, they eat the food, they go away; that’s the deal” – Eddie Izzard

     

    “Mad women and cats. The two always end up together” – Unknown

     

    Jocelyn Wildenstein through the ages:A Catty Catastrophe – Feline-like Bride of Wildenstein Jocelyn Wildenstein and couturier Lloyd Klein – Fight at Trump World Tower, Wednesday 7th December 2016 - Delony assault charges in the second degree – She is accused of inflicting injuries with a weapon A Catty Catastrophe – Feline-like Bride of Wildenstein Jocelyn Wildenstein and couturier Lloyd Klein – Fight at Trump World Tower, Wednesday 7th December 2016 - Delony assault charges in the second degree – She is accused of inflicting injuries with a weapon A Catty Catastrophe – Feline-like Bride of Wildenstein Jocelyn Wildenstein and couturier Lloyd Klein – Fight at Trump World Tower, Wednesday 7th December 2016 - Delony assault charges in the second degree – She is accused of inflicting injuries with a weaponA Catty Catastrophe – Feline-like Bride of Wildenstein Jocelyn Wildenstein and couturier Lloyd Klein – Fight at Trump World Tower, Wednesday 7th December 2016 - Delony assault charges in the second degree – She is accused of inflicting injuries with a weaponA Catty Catastrophe – Feline-like Bride of Wildenstein Jocelyn Wildenstein and couturier Lloyd Klein – Fight at Trump World Tower, Wednesday 7th December 2016 - Delony assault charges in the second degree – She is accused of inflicting injuries with a weaponA Catty Catastrophe – Feline-like Bride of Wildenstein Jocelyn Wildenstein and couturier Lloyd Klein – Fight at Trump World Tower, Wednesday 7th December 2016 - Delony assault charges in the second degree – She is accused of inflicting injuries with a weaponA Catty Catastrophe – Feline-like Bride of Wildenstein Jocelyn Wildenstein and couturier Lloyd Klein – Fight at Trump World Tower, Wednesday 7th December 2016 - Delony assault charges in the second degree – She is accused of inflicting injuries with a weaponA Catty Catastrophe – Feline-like Bride of Wildenstein Jocelyn Wildenstein and couturier Lloyd Klein – Fight at Trump World Tower, Wednesday 7th December 2016 - Delony assault charges in the second degree – She is accused of inflicting injuries with a weapon

     

     

  • Prince Naseem’s Subaru from Hell

    Prince Naseem’s Subaru from Hell

    Rare 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STi once owned by boxer Prince Naseem Hamed goes to auction (more…)

  • Patricia Routledge CBE (born Katherine Patricia Routledge)

    Patricia Routledge CBE (born Katherine Patricia Routledge)

    British actress and singer Patricia Routledge CBE (born Katherine Patricia Routledge)Born in Tranmere, Merseyside, veteran actress Patricia Routledge is best known as Alan Bennett’s Irene Ruddock in Talking Heads: Lady of Letters and as Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances. (more…)

  • Stavros Niarchos III

    Stavros Niarchos III

    Stavros Niarchos III (AKA ‘Stav’ Niarchos)Greek shipping heir Stavros Niarchos III dated both Paris Hilton and Mary-Kate Olsen but has been with the Australian supermodel Jessica Hart since 2010. (more…)