How much, in terms of hard cash, do you love your pet? It’s a brutal question to ask, I realise, and most of us would answer without a moment’s hesitation that it’s impossible to put a price on love — even when the object of our affection happens to be a dumb animal. Make that … Read more
Lord Adams is a character in an online video. But I am no less angry about his antics because he’s a fictional caricature, LORD HESELTINE writes Lord Adams is a lecherous old fool who harasses his staff. He should be evicted from the House of Lords with immediate effect, as a disgrace to Parliament. Except … Read more
House & Garden used to run a column called Me And My Car. One month, someone from the magazine phoned to ask if she could interview me for the column. Her first question was: ‘What sort of car do you drive?’ I gave the matter some thought. ‘Are you still there?’ she asked. ‘Yes,’ I … Read more
Last night’s showing of Friends: The Reunion reminded me with a jolt that I have a similar theatrical get-together coming up. Well, I say it’s similar, but as far as I’m aware there are no plans to film the 50th anniversary gathering of the cast of Gloves For Mr Busby, a school production in which I … Read more
Since its inception nearly a century ago, the BBC has haughtily assumed the moral high ground. In a world of increasingly diverse and sometimes dubious news sources, the state broadcaster portrays itself as a shining beacon of integrity, fairness, decency and honourable conduct. Indeed, its self-aggrandising mission statement could not be clearer: The corporation’s cornerstones … Read more
Of all the damning conclusions reached in the wake of the publication of the report of the Dyson Investigation, none can be so devastating as that reached by Diana’s brother Charles Spencer. In his appearance on the BBC’s Panorama special last night, he drew a straight line between the lies and deception Martin Bashir told … Read more
The BBC’s deceit and lies over the Bashir/Diana debacle, in a cover-up that lasted more than 25 years, is for me the most shameful episode in its history. Lord Dyson’s blistering condemnation yesterday of BBC star reporter Martin Bashir and several of his bosses at the corporation has been a very long time coming. I … Read more
Three cheers for Oriel College, which after years of dither and delay, has finally come to the only possible decision about its little statue of Cecil Rhodes. Nobody thinks Rhodes was a saint. Entrepreneurs and empire-builders rarely are. But as prime minister of the Cape Colony, founder of the De Beers diamond empire and the … Read more
TIM ALDERSLADE: These holiday rules are alarming, confusing, and illogical. Sort it out, ministers! By Tim Alderslade, Ceo Of Airlines Uk Published: 22:03 BST, 19 May 2021 | Updated: 12:46 BST, 20 May 2021 This week saw the sight of happy British holidaymakers visiting beaches, bars and restaurants in Portugal, one of the tiny number … Read more
Appropriately enough, there has been a long delay to the Government’s White Paper on the future of the rail industry. It is 18 months late, in fact – it was supposed to be published when the leaves were still fresh on the line in Autumn 2019. But now it has finally squealed its way on … Read more