Steerpike

Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

A mysterious Patten emerging

From our UK edition

Lord Patten, the Chairman of the BBC Trust, rarely looks thrilled when being scrutinised, but he was particularly grumpy in front of the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee today. He said sullenly that Rob Wilson, the tenacious Tory MP, has written to the BBC some 64 times in the past year with Savile-related questions. Wilson

Sir Brian’s PR offensive continues

From our UK edition

Sir Brian Leveson, who has ascended from his inquiry podium to President of the Queen’s Bench Division and Chairman of the Sentencing Council, seems to be getting a taste for public appearances. Last week he frustratingly stonewalled two parliamentary committees who had the temerity to ask for some post-publication thoughts on his report into the

David Cameron resigns…according to Wales Online

From our UK edition

It has been an eventful afternoon at the Western Mail and South Wales Echo. As seen in the screen grab above, Wales Online, the papers’ online variant, reported (and tweeted) that the Prime Minister resigned at 16:33 today. It was a ‘shock’ resignation and the government was ‘rocked’ by the news, apparently. As you’d expect for such breaking

Natalie Rowe’s strange duet with Marvin Gaye

From our UK edition

Among the more bizarre parts of Natalie Rowe’s Chief Whip, of which Mr S wrote earlier, is her alleged encounter with Marvin Gaye. The scribbling dominatrix even claims that she sang a duet with the deceased singer while they were on their way to buy cocaine at six in the morning: ‘As we walked an

Who is Natalie Rowe’s ‘Joe’?

From our UK edition

The only question on lips this morning: Who is Joe? This mysterious character lurks on the pages of a new book by Natalie Rowe, a former prostitute and dominatrix who was once photographed with George Osborne. Rowe will only confirm that ‘Joe’ was ‘a young politician’ when she knew him and that he became a minister. It

What’s wrong with wearing a woolly jumper for warmth?

From our UK edition

The moment that a Downing Street spokesman recommended wearing a jumper to reduce high energy bills, you knew that two things would happen. As sure as night follows day, the Labour leader spun a line criticising the ‘out of touch government’: Their crime policy used to be ‘hug a hoodie’. Now their energy policy appears

Is the new Indy editor a Countryside Alliance supporter?

From our UK edition

Right on types at the Indy look away now. It would appear that your trendy new editor, Amol Rajan, is a supporter of the Countryside Alliance. He appeared on the Daily Politics recently sporting an alliance branded tie. Mr Steerpike hears that when this was pointed out to Rajan in the Green Room by Ukip MEP

Another puff piece for Ed Miliband

From our UK edition

First Ed Miliband was papped with a teenager holding a ‘bong’ (above). Now the Labour leader is being offered dope on the street by passing fans. According to the Ham & High, little Ed and his team believed that builder Robert Quinn had offered them his ‘last Rolo’ on a walkabout in Camden. In fact,

Perfidious Brussels

From our UK edition

The European Commission, having done nothing about recent Spanish sabre rattling over the self-determination of Gibraltar, has launched a full investigation into the Gibraltarian tax system. And who heads up the department that has launched this EU investigation? Señor Almunia. And what country does he come from? Have a guess.

Help! | 15 October 2013

From our UK edition

When did Sir Paul McCartney become so shifty? The ‘National Treasure’ has been on Sky News promoting his latest album. There were more than a few awkward, if not downright embarrassing, moments. Take when he was talking about young talent today. ‘I think these bands are great. I like One Direction,’ the former Beatle said. ‘They’re young

A trio of woes

From our UK edition

It started with the terrible news that the first tiger cub to be born at London Zoo in seventeen years had been found drowned in a pool in the enclosure. Then it emerged that Tian Tian, the panda at Edinburgh Zoo, is no longer expecting a cub. And just when you thought that the day

YouGov’s undercover conference

From our UK edition

This year’s party conference season was hardly memorable, but YouGov’s Joe Twyman seems to have made the most of what was on offer. In a post on the polling organisation’s website, Twyman writes: ‘At the Labour conference in Brighton I met someone who, it subsequently transpired, had even gone as far as having ‘It’s the

What the frack?

From our UK edition

According to the weird and wonderful folk at Greenpeace, the home of the longest running magazine in the English language is sitting on a gold mine. A black gold mine. Using sophisticated web technology, Greenpeace have created mapping software of Britain’s lucrative shale reserves. Simply enter your postcode to find out if you are set

Lib Dem spinner: Damian McBride saved my life

From our UK edition

Phil Reilly, a Lib Dem spinner, was hit by a car earlier today. He says that a hardback copy of Power Trip by Damian McBride, contained in a bag slung over his shoulder, took the brunt of the impact. ‘It’s possible a copy of @DPMcBride’s book saved my life,’ he tweeted. Readers will recall that

Who wants to be Deputy Speaker?

From our UK edition

A new Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons will be elected on Wednesday. Eleanor Laing is said to be the favourite; but Mr S has been reading the runes for the other candidates. Henry Bellingham surprised colleagues by giving a solid speech last week that, according to one backbencher, was ‘witty and had gravitas’.

What do you think of the EU now, Sir Richard?

From our UK edition

So goodbye then, Sir Richard Branson. Just one question before you go: will you, from the comfort of your sunny Caribbean tax haven, continue to lecture us about the merits of remaining in the ruinously expensive EU? It would look a little off, no?

Further proof that politicians can occasionally be funny

From our UK edition

On Wednesday I brought you the news that a politician could actually be funny occasionally. Many of you were shocked, disparaging or simply could not agree, so here is the case for the defence. I’ve got hold of the video of  Nick Clegg’s comedy turn at the LBC 40th Birthday party, so you can be

Ruff justice at the Westminster Dog of the Year competition

From our UK edition

Off to the highlight of Mr Steerpike’s 2013, the Westminster Dog of the Year competition, where the pedigree chums of our elected representatives lined up to compete for a prestigious place on the podium. With Jake Berry’s standard poodle Lola taking a break from the competition after competing three years in a row, someone was