The Steeple Times

Tag: Daily Mail

  • The Collapse of Chelsea Character

    The Collapse of Chelsea Character

    Matthew Steeples celebrates the nicknames of Chelsea’s characters but regrets that the area itself is rapidly being stripped of the very character that made it so appealing

     

    In Chelsea well-known barflies and lavish lunchers have long been given wacky nicknames. Amongst my friends and acquaintances are ‘Steve the Lunch’ (known for planning where to lunch next wherever he’s currently lunching), ‘Charles the Horse’ (known for his prowess on the horse racing betting circuit) and ‘Tony the Suit’ (he was once in tailoring).

     

    Such monikers reveal not only the personalities of the individuals but also illustrate something about the places these bon viveurs frequent. Yesterday, in The Times’ obituary of the legendary restaurateur Michael Proudlock, mention was made of how his customers “had schoolboy nicknames such as ‘Mental,’ ‘Dwarf’ and ‘Mother’ and this reminded me of what this once great area of London has now lost: Character.

     

    Proudlock, Richard Kay of the Daily Mail recalled in this excellently written tribute, “dined out every day, twice a day, seven days a week,” but now, sadly for the most part, such a lifestyle has gone to pot. Disappeared are the likes of Nigel Dempster, Keith Floyd, Sir David Frost and Alan Whicker and gone also are the enclaves that brought so much pleasure. In March 2017, with the closure of La Brasserie – due to the greed of the building’s selfish landlord – an era ended.  The customers of “Chelsea’s answer to Cheers” dispersed and what was once a “community of fun loving reprobates” became displaced.

     

    With Poissonnerie de l’Avenue and Como Lario also biting the dust, what is now left? A Kings Road that could be a high street in any town and things like a vegan restaurant on Pavilion Road ridiculously called Wulf & Lamb. How very sad: A place that used to be the haunt of the “cultural cognoscenti” has now been reduced to this.

     

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  • Punish Pavement Pests

    Punish Pavement Pests

    In the wake of a rollerblader causing a woman severe head injuries, Matthew Steeples demands ‘pavement pests’ – including those blessed scooters – be banned from spaces meant for pedestrians

     

    ‘Pavement pests’ – adults on both pavements and roads on such things as children’s pavement scooters and rollerblades and people capable of walking on ‘body snatcher’ mobility scooters – truly get my goat.

     

    Having spent a considerable period of the year with my arm in a sling, I was naturally cautious as I wandered about. People with rucksacks were naturally a hazard to keep clear of, but what truly became a danger were those I mentioned above. Each and every time I was bashed into by one, I came to realise what a menace these contraptions and those that use them truly are to anyone who gets in their way.

     

    Punish Pavement Pests – Ban rollerblades and pavement scooters – In the wake of a rollerblader causing a woman severe head injuries, Matthew Steeples demands ‘pavement pests’ – including those blessed scooters – be banned.
    The author, Matthew Steeples, tries out a mobility scooter with a lady who genuinely needs one; they do have their place.

     

    This week, proof of the true impact of such was provided when a French-born male model, Patrick Nodanche, 28, received a suspended prison sentence of fifteen months. He caused severe head injuries to an investment expert, Jean Hu, 35, when he smashed into her at high speed on rollerblades in Haymarket, London. The consequences for Ms Hu were severe: Since the incident in October last year, she has spent eight days in hospital, has needed specialist home care and has had to abandon her six-figure job at Goldman Sachs as “her injuries make long-distance travel impossible.”

     

    It is now time that the government tightened up legislation in this area. Whilst Nodanche was rightly prosecuted, nothing can currently be done about adults knocking over old ladies on pavement scooters. Whilst one could argue, the populous should just behave responsibly, the images below prove many simply don’t. It is time to push pavement pests into the gutter and it is time to remember pavements are for pedestrians.

    #PavementsAreForPedestrians #PunishPavementPests

     

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    Punish Pavement Pests – Ban rollerblades and pavement scooters – In the wake of a rollerblader causing a woman severe head injuries, Matthew Steeples demands ‘pavement pests’ – including those blessed scooters – be banned.
    The face says it all – This grimacing brat plainly knows she’s doing wrong; I’d send her off to pick litter.
    Punish Pavement Pests – Ban rollerblades and pavement scooters – In the wake of a rollerblader causing a woman severe head injuries, Matthew Steeples demands ‘pavement pests’ – including those blessed scooters – be banned.
    A woman with an electric pavement scooter and a dog in a harness: A danger both to humans and animals.
    Punish Pavement Pests – Ban rollerblades and pavement scooters – In the wake of a rollerblader causing a woman severe head injuries, Matthew Steeples demands ‘pavement pests’ – including those blessed scooters – be banned.
    Headphones, rollerblades and sunglasses – What a truly stupid creature.
    Punish Pavement Pests – Ban rollerblades and pavement scooters – In the wake of a rollerblader causing a woman severe head injuries, Matthew Steeples demands ‘pavement pests’ – including those blessed scooters – be banned.
    A middle aged man who simply looks like a dunce.
    Punish Pavement Pests – Ban rollerblades and pavement scooters – In the wake of a rollerblader causing a woman severe head injuries, Matthew Steeples demands ‘pavement pests’ – including those blessed scooters – be banned.
    Katie Price may be capable of “getting her tits out” but she’s also capable of using her legs; she does not need a mobility scooter and should get off and walk.
    Punish Pavement Pests – Ban rollerblades and pavement scooters – In the wake of a rollerblader causing a woman severe head injuries, Matthew Steeples demands ‘pavement pests’ – including those blessed scooters – be banned.
    This chubby man should follow the lead of the lady on the left and ride the bicycle he has hired on the road; pavements are for pedestrians.
    Punish Pavement Pests – Ban rollerblades and pavement scooters – In the wake of a rollerblader causing a woman severe head injuries, Matthew Steeples demands ‘pavement pests’ – including those blessed scooters – be banned.
    A body snatcher and a bum – This woman should act her age, not her knicker size.
    Punish Pavement Pests – Ban rollerblades and pavement scooters – In the wake of a rollerblader causing a woman severe head injuries, Matthew Steeples demands ‘pavement pests’ – including those blessed scooters – be banned.
    This woman not only is a plague on the pavement because of her pavement scooter, she also has headphones on and thus is an even greater danger.
    Punish Pavement Pests – Ban rollerblades and pavement scooters – In the wake of a rollerblader causing a woman severe head injuries, Matthew Steeples demands ‘pavement pests’ – including those blessed scooters – be banned.
    A prat scoots on.
    Punish Pavement Pests – Ban rollerblades and pavement scooters – In the wake of a rollerblader causing a woman severe head injuries, Matthew Steeples demands ‘pavement pests’ – including those blessed scooters – be banned.
    This woman should remember that the Kings Road is a shopping street; it is not a scooting destination.
    Punish Pavement Pests – Ban rollerblades and pavement scooters – In the wake of a rollerblader causing a woman severe head injuries, Matthew Steeples demands ‘pavement pests’ – including those blessed scooters – be banned.
    At least this fool is wearing a helmet but readers should remember that if you injure him in your car, he’ll still no doubt try and blame you. Get him off the road.
    Punish Pavement Pests – Ban rollerblades and pavement scooters – In the wake of a rollerblader causing a woman severe head injuries, Matthew Steeples demands ‘pavement pests’ – including those blessed scooters – be banned.
    Two electric pavement pests in a cemetery – If they carry on this conduct, there could indeed be further bodies headed there.
    Punish Pavement Pests – Ban rollerblades and pavement scooters – In the wake of a rollerblader causing a woman severe head injuries, Matthew Steeples demands ‘pavement pests’ – including those blessed scooters – be banned.
    Snapped in Walton Street, Knightsbridge – Where does this bozo think he’s headed? Heathrow Airport?
  • A Fire Sale

    A Fire Sale

    Repossessed Grade I listed Dorset mansion once worth circa £15 million for sale for £3 million; the catch? It’s burnt to the ground

     

    An “exceptionally important,” Grade I listed, 38,000 square foot, 16th century country house in Dorset with 131.6 acres for just £3 million is certainly something that sounds like a bargain. Sadly, however, Parnham House, near Beaminster comes with a catch: it burnt to the ground in April 2017 and doesn’t even have a roof.

     

    Remodeled by the architect John Nash in 1810 and subject to a costly renovation – sadly now obviously gone – since being bought by the late financier Michael Treichl and his wife Emma in 2001 for £4 million, Parnham House has variously been a family home, was requisitioned during World War II by American troops and was the School for Craftmanship in Wood from 1976 to 2001.

     

    A Fire Sale – Parnham House, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3LZ, United Kingdom – For sale for £3 million ($3.8 million, €3.3 million or درهم13.8 million) through Sanderson Weatherall; former home of the late Michael and Emma Treichl.
    Michael and Emma Treichl
    A Fire Sale – Parnham House, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3LZ, United Kingdom – For sale for £3 million ($3.8 million, €3.3 million or درهم13.8 million) through Sanderson Weatherall; former home of the late Michael and Emma Treichl.
    The front elevation of Parnham House before the fire
    A Fire Sale – Parnham House, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3LZ, United Kingdom – For sale for £3 million ($3.8 million, €3.3 million or درهم13.8 million) through Sanderson Weatherall; former home of the late Michael and Emma Treichl.
    The front elevation of Parnham House after the fire
    A Fire Sale – Parnham House, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3LZ, United Kingdom – For sale for £3 million ($3.8 million, €3.3 million or درهم13.8 million) through Sanderson Weatherall; former home of the late Michael and Emma Treichl.
    The fire in full force
    A Fire Sale – Parnham House, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3LZ, United Kingdom – For sale for £3 million ($3.8 million, €3.3 million or درهم13.8 million) through Sanderson Weatherall; former home of the late Michael and Emma Treichl.
    The aftermath

     

    Now listed on the Heritage at Risk Register and likely to cost millions to restore, Parnham House’s destruction came about as a result of an arson attack on the property. The wealthy financier Treichl, who subsequently strangely left just £10,000 in assets in his will after drowning himself on Lake Geneva in June 2017. He is said to have suffered severe depression and possibly suffered catastrophic losses after betting on Brexit.

     

    Offered for sale by Sanderson Weatherall, the estate also includes an undamaged dower house, an undamaged cottage and equestrian facilities. In addition there is a mature park, formal gardens, a lake, walled gardens, a deer park, a tennis court, a bowling green, a swimming pool, fields, woodland and a stream.

     

    Parnham House – The Numbers

     

    2018 – For sale for £3 million ($3.8 million, €3.3 million or درهم13.8 million).

     

    2017 – Said to be worth £15 million ($18.8 million, €16.6 million or درهم69.1 million).

     

    2001 – Sold to Michael and Emma Treichl for £4 million ($5 million, €4.4 million or درهم18.4 million).

     

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    A Fire Sale – Parnham House, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3LZ, United Kingdom – For sale for £3 million ($3.8 million, €3.3 million or درهم13.8 million) through Sanderson Weatherall; former home of the late Michael and Emma Treichl. A Fire Sale – Parnham House, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3LZ, United Kingdom – For sale for £3 million ($3.8 million, €3.3 million or درهم13.8 million) through Sanderson Weatherall; former home of the late Michael and Emma Treichl. A Fire Sale – Parnham House, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3LZ, United Kingdom – For sale for £3 million ($3.8 million, €3.3 million or درهم13.8 million) through Sanderson Weatherall; former home of the late Michael and Emma Treichl. A Fire Sale – Parnham House, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3LZ, United Kingdom – For sale for £3 million ($3.8 million, €3.3 million or درهم13.8 million) through Sanderson Weatherall; former home of the late Michael and Emma Treichl. A Fire Sale – Parnham House, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3LZ, United Kingdom – For sale for £3 million ($3.8 million, €3.3 million or درهم13.8 million) through Sanderson Weatherall; former home of the late Michael and Emma Treichl. A Fire Sale – Parnham House, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3LZ, United Kingdom – For sale for £3 million ($3.8 million, €3.3 million or درهم13.8 million) through Sanderson Weatherall; former home of the late Michael and Emma Treichl.A Fire Sale – Parnham House, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3LZ, United Kingdom – For sale for £3 million ($3.8 million, €3.3 million or درهم13.8 million) through Sanderson Weatherall; former home of the late Michael and Emma Treichl. A Fire Sale – Parnham House, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3LZ, United Kingdom – For sale for £3 million ($3.8 million, €3.3 million or درهم13.8 million) through Sanderson Weatherall; former home of the late Michael and Emma Treichl. A Fire Sale – Parnham House, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3LZ, United Kingdom – For sale for £3 million ($3.8 million, €3.3 million or درهم13.8 million) through Sanderson Weatherall; former home of the late Michael and Emma Treichl.

  • The Berk Bercow

    The Berk Bercow

    Speaker Bercow brings shame on himself and Britain through his mendacious ways (yet again) suggests Matthew Steeples

     

    John Bercow could be criticised for marrying a rough bird named Sally (who then had an affair with his very own cousin and flirted outrageously on television with the somewhat strange gypsy Paddy Doherty) but now he’s finally gone too far.

     

    Though Bercow is a Remain supporter and displays a ‘Bollocks to Brexit’ sticker in his somewhat decrepit Land Rover Freelander (something readers would think would make him endear to me), I now call out this dwarf-like rat as the disgrace that he truly is.

     

    In a story in today’s Daily Mail, it is revealed that Speaker Bercow claimed £17,103 in travel expenses in the period between January and September 2018 (on top of all that this deservedly much loathed individual has nabbed in the past).

     

    That a Speaker of the House of Commons even needs to travel beyond the chamber is perplexing but that he even claimed £1,368 to take three people to a funeral of a friend just takes the biscuit. This cretinous creep should be now given a one way ticket. To where I hear you ask? Siberia.

     

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    The Berk Bercow – John Bercow disgraces himself yet again – Speaker Bercow brings shame on himself and Britain through his mendacious ways (yet again) suggests Matthew Steeples The Berk Bercow – John Bercow disgraces himself yet again – Speaker Bercow brings shame on himself and Britain through his mendacious ways (yet again) suggests Matthew Steeples

  • Moscow Nights

    Moscow Nights

    John Simpson marks the publication of his novel ‘Moscow Nights’ at Daunt Books in Marylebone

     

    Described as: “An engaging yarn with a strong, sometimes mischievous autobiographical element” by The Sunday Times, esteemed foreign correspondent John Simpson launched his second novel at Daunt Books in Marylebone last night.

     

    Moscow Nights – John Simpson marks the publication of his novel ‘Moscow Nights’ at Daunt Books in Marylebone
    John Simpson and Claire Rubinstein

     

    Amongst those present to celebrate the occasion were – in from New York – financier Marcel Croome, Brexit campaigner Gina Miller and her hedge fund titan husband Alan, the Daily Mail’s Alexis Parr and social media guru Claire Rubinstein. As drinks flowed, guests admired Daunt Books’ clever displays and many copies of Simpson’s book – a topical tale based around espionage and skulduggery titled Moscow, Midnight – were sold to a most enthusiastic gathering.

     

    To purchase a copy, click here.

     

    Moscow Nights – John Simpson marks the publication of his novel ‘Moscow Nights’ at Daunt Books in Marylebone
    Alan Miller, Gina Miller, Claire Rubinstein and Matthew Steeples
    Moscow Nights – John Simpson marks the publication of his novel ‘Moscow Nights’ at Daunt Books in Marylebone
    Daunt Books was packed for the occasion
    Moscow Nights – John Simpson marks the publication of his novel ‘Moscow Nights’ at Daunt Books in Marylebone
    Claire Rubinstein and Marcel Croome
    Moscow Nights – John Simpson marks the publication of his novel ‘Moscow Nights’ at Daunt Books in Marylebone
    Matthew Steeples, Claire Rubinstein and friends
    Moscow Nights – John Simpson marks the publication of his novel ‘Moscow Nights’ at Daunt Books in Marylebone
    Marcel Croome, Claire Rubinstein and Alexis Parr

     

    Description – MP Patrick Macready has been found dead in his flat. The coroner rules it an accident, a sex game gone wrong.

     

    Jon Swift is from the old stock of journos – cynical, cantankerous and overweight – and something about his friend’s death doesn’t seem right. Then days after Macready’s flat is apparently burgled, Swift discovers that his friend had been researching a string of Russian government figures who had met similarly ‘accidental’ fates.

     

    When the police refuse to investigate further, Swift gets in touch with his contacts in Moscow, determined to find out if his hunch is correct. Following the lead, he is soon drawn into a violent underworld, where whispers of conspiracies, assassinations and double-agents start blurring the line between friend and foe.

     

    But the truth will come at a price, and it may cost him everything.

     

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  • A Romantic Takeaway

    A Romantic Takeaway

    Mail Online focuses on the story of the year – that Spencer Matthews and his wife went on “date night” at the British Takeaway Awards; you couldn’t make it up

     

    You can rely on the Mail Online to publish relevant stories. Aside from the fact we’re in the midst of Brexit chaos and California is burning, they decided to publish what could perhaps be called: “The story of the year.”

     

    In an article charmingly titled: “Vogue Williams nestles into husband Spencer Matthews as they steal a night away from parenting duties to lead the stars at the British Takeaway Awards” by a woman named Katie Storey, the paper shared details of how the reality television “stars” managed to “enjoy a date night” at the Just Eat British Takeaway Awards.”

     

    That this duo – a pair definitely likely to attend the opening of an envelope – would “date night” at an event is bad enough, but that it made news is quite preposterous. What did they do whilst there? Ring out for a pizza? How terribly romantic.

     

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  • No Offence Taken

    No Offence Taken

    Matthew Steeples questions the validity of  getting easily offended as a man “offends” a woman on the Underground by dressing as Samuel L. Jackson

     

    People will always find reasons to be offended it seems. In the days of the overblown #MeToo movement our snowflake society cannot cope with anything that isn’t politically correct.

     

    This morning’s Mail Online reported that a woman was outraged when she spotted a white man who’d made himself look like Samuel L. Jackson for Halloween on a London Underground train.

     

    Whilst I personally wouldn’t do such a thing – for starters, I do not “do” fancy dress of any kind – that the bizarrely named Petra-Isabella Joli declared it “a bit racist” is a little bit ridiculous.

     

    Why not get angry about something a little bit more serious?

     

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  • Unfinished Business

    Unfinished Business

    519 acre Gloucestershire estate complete with “challenging” high bird estate goes on sale for £16.5 million in spite of needing a further £1.5 million spent on it

     

    A ringfenced Cotswolds estate has gone on sale for £16.5 million ($21.6 million, €18.8 million or درهم78.9 million) in spite of being centred around an eight bedroom house that is basically nothing other than shell.

     

    Altered and extended in the 1920s when part of the Dent-Brocklehurst family’s Sudeley Castle estate, Sudeley Lodge was supposedly visited by George III in 1788 and needs a further £1.5 million ($1.9 million, €1.7 million or درهم7.1 million) spent completing its renovation.

     

    Offered for sale due to the current owner having fallen ill and thus become able to complete its refurbishment, this 10,781 square foot Grade II listed former hunting lodge is described by selling agents Knight Frank as “an enchanting sporting estate.” It comes with a farmhouse, keeper’s cottage, two cottages and various traditional and modern farmbuildings.

     

    What makes the property most attractive, however, is the estate’s “challenging” high bird pheasant and partridge shoot. Shot for 13 days per season currently, bags average 150 to 300 birds a day and of it, in September 2012, Country Life remarked: “I know of one syndicate in particular that embodies all the qualities one could ask for in a syndicate day… Studeley Lodge… A beautiful high-bird shooting and farming estate.”

     

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    Unfinished Business – £16.5 million ($21.6 million, €18.8 million or درهم78.9 million) for Sudeley Lodge, Sudeley Road, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, GL54 5JB, United Kingdom through estate agent Knight Frank – 519 acre Gloucestershire estate goes on sale for £16.5 million in spite of needing a further £1.5 million spent on it.Unfinished Business – £16.5 million ($21.6 million, €18.8 million or درهم78.9 million) for Sudeley Lodge, Sudeley Road, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, GL54 5JB, United Kingdom through estate agent Knight Frank – 519 acre Gloucestershire estate goes on sale for £16.5 million in spite of needing a further £1.5 million spent on it.Unfinished Business – £16.5 million ($21.6 million, €18.8 million or درهم78.9 million) for Sudeley Lodge, Sudeley Road, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, GL54 5JB, United Kingdom through estate agent Knight Frank – 519 acre Gloucestershire estate goes on sale for £16.5 million in spite of needing a further £1.5 million spent on it.Unfinished Business – £16.5 million ($21.6 million, €18.8 million or درهم78.9 million) for Sudeley Lodge, Sudeley Road, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, GL54 5JB, United Kingdom through estate agent Knight Frank – 519 acre Gloucestershire estate goes on sale for £16.5 million in spite of needing a further £1.5 million spent on it.Unfinished Business – £16.5 million ($21.6 million, €18.8 million or درهم78.9 million) for Sudeley Lodge, Sudeley Road, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, GL54 5JB, United Kingdom through estate agent Knight Frank – 519 acre Gloucestershire estate goes on sale for £16.5 million in spite of needing a further £1.5 million spent on it. Unfinished Business – £16.5 million ($21.6 million, €18.8 million or درهم78.9 million) for Sudeley Lodge, Sudeley Road, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, GL54 5JB, United Kingdom through estate agent Knight Frank – 519 acre Gloucestershire estate goes on sale for £16.5 million in spite of needing a further £1.5 million spent on it.Unfinished Business – £16.5 million ($21.6 million, €18.8 million or درهم78.9 million) for Sudeley Lodge, Sudeley Road, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, GL54 5JB, United Kingdom through estate agent Knight Frank – 519 acre Gloucestershire estate goes on sale for £16.5 million in spite of needing a further £1.5 million spent on it. Unfinished Business – £16.5 million ($21.6 million, €18.8 million or درهم78.9 million) for Sudeley Lodge, Sudeley Road, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, GL54 5JB, United Kingdom through estate agent Knight Frank – 519 acre Gloucestershire estate goes on sale for £16.5 million in spite of needing a further £1.5 million spent on it. Unfinished Business – £16.5 million ($21.6 million, €18.8 million or درهم78.9 million) for Sudeley Lodge, Sudeley Road, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, GL54 5JB, United Kingdom through estate agent Knight Frank – 519 acre Gloucestershire estate goes on sale for £16.5 million in spite of needing a further £1.5 million spent on it. Unfinished Business – £16.5 million ($21.6 million, €18.8 million or درهم78.9 million) for Sudeley Lodge, Sudeley Road, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, GL54 5JB, United Kingdom through estate agent Knight Frank – 519 acre Gloucestershire estate goes on sale for £16.5 million in spite of needing a further £1.5 million spent on it. Unfinished Business – £16.5 million ($21.6 million, €18.8 million or درهم78.9 million) for Sudeley Lodge, Sudeley Road, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, GL54 5JB, United Kingdom through estate agent Knight Frank – 519 acre Gloucestershire estate goes on sale for £16.5 million in spite of needing a further £1.5 million spent on it.Unfinished Business – £16.5 million ($21.6 million, €18.8 million or درهم78.9 million) for Sudeley Lodge, Sudeley Road, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, GL54 5JB, United Kingdom through estate agent Knight Frank – 519 acre Gloucestershire estate goes on sale for £16.5 million in spite of needing a further £1.5 million spent on it.

  • Fabulous Felicity

    Fabulous Felicity

    Felicity Kendal is quite right to criticise the stupidity of the #MeToo movement

     

    A regular at the sadly now closed La Brasserie in South Kensington and a campaigner against the dreadful family wishing to evict the Chelsea houseboat residents, Felicity Kendal has also spoken sense in criticising the #MeToo movement.

     

    In comments to the Daily Mail, the actress remarked:

     

    “[Stop the] hysteria… Keep calm… [And stop being] judgmental… The thing about the MeToo movement is it’s a bit like talking about feminism. There is no solution yet.”

     

    “Let’s wait and see, because these things take a long time. If something changes very quickly, it’s not normally for the better.”

     

    “Men and women are totally different. We’ve never been in a position in history where there has been total equality.”

     

    “We’re human beings and we don’t get it right. Part of living is partly getting it wrong.”

     

    Ms Kendal is right. It is time to say bog off to #MeToo

     

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  • The Gamble of Greig

    The Gamble of Greig

    Will  ‘more toff than tough’ Geordie Greig take the ‘Daily Mail’ into the realm of rational? Matthew Steeples suggests that’s as likely as Jacob Rees-Mogg donning a Kappa tracksuit and dancing a jig with Diane Abbott

     

    Yesterday, in an opinion piece for The Guardian, Jane Martinson claimed new editor of the Daily Mail Geordie Greig “finds himself walking on a tightrope” as he juggles keeping Brexiteers, remainers, anti-immigrant readers and his pugnacious proprietor happy.

     

    In her overall observation, Martinson is entirely right. Greig’s arrival marks a major change at the paper in that he comes not from the world of political journalism of his “poisoner in chief” predecessor Paul Dacre, but instead is an Old Etonian who has edited “aristocrat’s favourite” Tatler magazine and written about the life of the louche father of fourteen and “unapologetically self-absorbed” portrait painter Lucian Freud.

     

    Described by The Observer in 2005 as “Britain’s most connected man” and married to a Texan, Greig, in many ways, harks back to the era of David Cameron and George Osborne’s politics. He, like them, lives in Notting Hill, is a “friend” of the “socialite” Oxford-LSE graduate wife of (the Mail’s owner) Viscount Rothermere, Claudia Clemence, and is even credited with persuading the former chancellor’s new boss, Evgeny Lebedev, to buy the Evening Standard in 2009. In this regard, I’d argue, this 57 year old is very much a key component of the establishment elite that is what I like to mockingly term: ‘The Club.’

     

    Greig comes from what can limply be termed “a nicer school of journalism” and despite his grandfather having briefly flirted with the far right when he joined the January Club, “an establishment ginger group for the British Union of Fascists,” he is himself seen to be cultural and no enemy of the postmodern era. This former fashion writer collects works by the pro-Margaret Thatcher, pro-Prince Charles collaborative artists Gilbert & George and supposedly has already “[ripped] out Dacre’s [old fashioned] panelling and chintz office and [brought] in his own [‘Notting Hill Set’ style] soft furnishings.” No doubt, the chattering classes will titter and suggest they come from OKA – the furniture emporium founded by Viscountess Astor (the mother of Samantha Cameron) that was sold to Investindustrial, the owners of Aston Martin, in January this year – but in doing so they have a point: Greig is most definitely more toff than tough.

     

    Whether “mild-mannered… by nature liberal, fiscally conservative” Greig will be able to replace Paul Dacre’s “I give my readers a daily hate” racist, homophobic, philistine, “enemies of the people” agenda at the Mail with something more liberal and tolerant remains to be seen. It does, however, seem as likely as Jacob Rees-Mogg donning a Kappa tracksuit and dancing a jig with Diane Abbott.

     

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