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
From our UK edition
Where were you when the world remembered Nelson Mandela? David Cameron, Barack Obama and Helle Thorning Schmidt will always be able to answer that question with their memorial service selfie, snapped in the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg today. Michelle Obama seemed oddly reluctant to join in.
From our UK edition
Those tortured souls who study the Kremlinology of Westminster think-tanks had some rare excitement last night. Out went Matthew Sinclair as the Chief Executive of the Taxpayers’ Alliance (TPA), the tax cutting campaigners, and up stepped Jonathan Isaby, once of the Telegraph and ConservativeHome, to replace him. Isaby was political director at the TPA. John O’Connell, who is fresh from the TPA’s successful lobbying campaign against fuel duty and beer taxes, becomes overall director. Matthew Elliott, the group’s founder, announced the news this morning.
From our UK edition
The Prime Minister is interviewed by Fraser Nelson in the Christmas treble issue of The Spectator, out on Thursday. After dutifully answering questions on tax, China and welfare he cut to the chase: at a time when the nation is divided between those backing Charles Saatchi and those backing his ex-wife, what's David Cameron's position? When asked "Are you on Team Nigella" he gave a straight answer: ‘I am. I’m a massive fan, I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting her a couple of times and she always strikes me as a very funny and warm person, but I’m also an amateur cook and I like like her recipes. Nancy [Cameron’s nine-year-old daughter] and I sometimes watch a bit of Nigella on telly. Not in court, I hasten to add.
From our UK edition
These are troubled times for Princess Michael of Kent. Austerity has hit Kensington Palace. ‘We’ve cut back dramatically,’ she tells the Times. ‘I mean we never go out to dinner unless we go to somebody’s house. We never go to restaurants. That’s too extravagant.’ It sounds just ghastly. And, I regret to say, that the princess travels in less style than she used to: ‘I love Easyjet. It’s the only direct route to Biarritz. We always fly tourist-class anyway in Europe.’ Although it may sound like the Baroness Marie Christine Anna Agnes Hedwig Ida is enduring Dickensian privations, she does say: ‘for long-haul, we go club.’ Phew! I was about to call for a whip-round.
From our UK edition
When George Osborne paid tribute to the 'march of the makers' in his 2011 Budget, few thought the Chancellor was secretly plotting to join the march himself. But as part of his tour of #hardworkingpeople, Osborne hasn't just been pointing at things, like normal politicians: he's been making things too. Today he made a cake: But he's also made bread: And made parts for JCB, working in this picture with a stud gun: In fact, Osborne likes making vehicles.
From our UK edition
Mr Steerpike was among the throng that gathered at the East India Club on Thursday night to hear about the development of the Margaret Thatcher Centre, the project to perpetuate the legacy of Britain’s greatest post-war leader. Donal Blaney, the Thatcher Centre’s CEO, and Conor Burns MP invited the Lady’s ‘most fervent supporters’ to pledge £1,000 each in a ‘true sign appreciation to Lady Thatcher’. Blaney also explained why he is ‘devoting his life’ to the project, telling the predominantly male but surprisingly young crowd: ‘Lady Thatcher delivered; now it’s our turn.’ The organisers have drawn inspiration from the USA.
From our UK edition
Director of BBC News James Harding made a fascinating speech on Wednesday, setting out his mission statement for the Corporation's newsroom: ‘Let’s start with holding people to account. In the offices of our local radio stations and regional TV operations – the places where the BBC does so much of its best work – we should play to that particular strength: accountability journalism.’ Mr S lives and breathes 'accountability journalism'; it’s his eau-de-vie. But Harding seems to have a different understanding of the term than your humble correspondent.
From our UK edition
He's played with the President of the United States, and now the Prime Minister has enjoyed a game of ping-pong with schoolchildren on the final day of his visit to China to celebrate netting a series of business deals for the UK.
From our UK edition
Westminster Christmas party season is in full swing. Half the Cabinet dropped by the Sky News bash at the Intercontinental last night. Mick Hucknall was also there, which was odd. The big news of the evening came when the head of Sky News, Jon Riley, confirmed that all three party leaders have now officially agreed to TV debates at the next election. Details were sparse because there appears to be deadlock over formats, timings and even the number of debates. The debates are on, though. Officially. In some form. It was a busy old evening for political-ornithologists. Tim Yeo lurked in the corner, looking glum. Chris Bryant refused to ‘twerk’ with Guido Fawkes.
From our UK edition
If only Boris Johnson had enjoyed as fun a day as his mannequin in Madame Tussauds. While the Mayor struggled with an IQ test set by LBC's Nick Ferrari, his waxwork was donning a cheery Christmas jumper for Save the Children's Christmas jumper campaign.
From our UK edition
There are so many Russians in London that they are able to pack the Royal Albert Hall for the launch of their own season. Bentleys lined South Kensington for last night’s Russian Debutante Ball. The Royal Philharmonic struck up some tunes, the Bolshoi danced and three of the most famous Russian tenors - Dmitry Korchak, Daniil Shtoda and Vladimir Galouzine - were in fine voice. 75 Russian debs waltzed their way into London society. The take over is complete. The irony was not lost on the ball’s organisers, who nodded to the somewhat frosty relationship between the UK and Russia currently. Mr S’s Russian is a little shaky; but, luckily, he had a translator on hand: ‘We are not an aggressive people, we love balls. We want to show that to the people of Britain.
From our UK edition
The Gay Hussar, the Hungarian establishment favoured by socialists with a fondness for champagne, has been in difficulties. Mr Steerpike related a joke that was doing the rounds: drum roll please… a patrons’ co-operative might save the old place! Well, they’ve only gone and done it. Fans of goulash and Tokay are looking to raise £200,000 by Thursday. Tory boy Iain Dale has the details if you want to join. (What's that famous political gag about the right cleaning up the left's mess?) If the Hussar remains open, Mr Steerpike has a request: someone, please do something about the food.
From our UK edition
The publisher Leo Cooper has died aged 79. Cooper, who was the husband of novelist Jilly Cooper, had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for many years. His widow told me last year that the Spectator brought her husband ‘a great amount of pleasure’ in his later years. He remained a subscriber long after his illness was diagnosed. ‘He would read it cover to cover every week,’ she said. Mr S would like to pass on the Spectator's condolences.
From our UK edition
Another day, another selfie crime. This time, it’s our Prime Minister, who is currently in China, where he is leading the British trade delegation. He tweeted this picture of himself with entrepreneur Jack Ma and hashtagged the word ‘selfie’: Jack Ma took a #selfie of us together, which I promised to share! #UKChina pic.twitter.com/Uhx4QCI1On — David Cameron (@David_Cameron) December 3, 2013 Dave has made the classic selfie mistake though: he’s looking at the screen, rather than at the camera (unlike Ma, who is clearly well versed in taking photos on his phone). Unfortunately, Dave can’t even claim he’s a novice. He’s taken selfies before, like the one above from the Olympics. Other politicians are getting down with the kids too.
From our UK edition
Green shoots were visible in Newbury on Saturday for the 57th Hennessy Gold Cup. While brandy cocktails warmed the punters in the Fred Winter Suite, Rob Brydon and Martin Clunes chatted up Joan Collins, who, despite being the most famous person in the room, was wearing a name badge. Myleene Klass displayed a lack of class when posing for a photograph with Princess Anne. And Tinie Tempah might want to have a word with his tailor: the rapper’s trousers were cut off half way up his shin and he must have been freezing without any socks on. Mr Steerpike feared that he might have had one too many nips of the Paradis Imperial when he saw the diarist from the Times singing a duet of Memory with Elaine Paige. But I’m reliably informed that this actually happened.
From our UK edition
Sir John Major was beginning to make a habit of embarrassing Downing Street: by suggesting windfall taxes on energy companies and denouncing private school cliques. But he was on his best behaviour last night at the Institute of Directors’ annual dinner. He praised Cameron and Osborne for their ‘brave policy’, adding that their ‘unpopular policy’ had ‘been proved to be right’. He slammed Alex Salmond and the SNP. So far so good; but, when it came to Europe, the old dog reverted to being decidedly ‘unsound’.
From our UK edition
Caitlin Moran once famously described David Cameron as looking like ‘C3PO made out of ham’, while his fans say that he has 'youthful good looks'. Either way, it does not help matters when the leader of the nation admits that he is unable to grow a moustache. Young Dave was praising his parliamentary colleagues' ‘Movember’ efforts at PMQs today. He said that the backbenches were full of ‘banditos’; but then admitted that he struggles with growth in that region. No wonder the Spanish are laughing at us.
From our UK edition
Poor, dear, awkward George Osborne. Just when he seems to be doing things right — the economy, for instance — he gets something wrong. Very wrong. In The Spectator this week, James Forsyth reveals that, at Matthew Freud's now notorious 50th birthday bash, when Bono and Bob Geldof sang a duet, Osborne insisted on whipping out his mobile telephone and filming the performance. Just what the Chancellor was doing there is one question. But if this were a 15- year-old and not, er, the Chancellor, his Bono-worship might be endearing. Perhaps the proper response is one of pity. But politicos are not a forgiving bunch.
From our UK edition
Hats off to the Duke of Cambridge for joining Jon Bon Jovi and Taylor Swift on stage at Kensington Palace last night for a sing-along of 'Livin' On A Prayer'. The Winter Whites Gala was raising money for Centrepoint homeless charity. It's the taking part that counts.
From our UK edition
Allegations that Nigella Lawson used cocaine and prescription drugs on a habitual basis have emerged in court today after the trial judge lifted a reporting restriction. Lawson's former personal assistants Francesca and Elisabetta Grillo are accused of fraud by Charles Saatchi, Lawson's former husband. The court heard, in pre-trial hearings, evidence for the defence which apparently shows that Saatchi accepts the Grillo sisters' argument that Lawson had allowed them to spend more than £300,000 on the proviso that they did not divulge details of her drug use to him.
