There was some surprise at Prime Minister’s Questions when Sir Keir Starmer said he backed a parliamentary investigation into Prince Andrew’s tenancy at Royal Lodge.
But I suspect the statement about the prince’s 30-room mansion in the middle of Windsor Great Park came as no surprise to King Charles.
Starmer, after all, had been to see the King for his weekly audience at Buckingham Palace just the day before his remarks to the Commons.
While the contents of these conversations are never made public, it’s inconceivable that the issue of Andrew’s ‘rent-free’ lease from the publicly owned Crown Estate was not brought up.
So, did the King indicate his support for a parliamentary inquiry?
King Charles talking to his brother, Prince Andrew, on the steps of Westminster Cathedral after both attended the Duchess of Kent’s Requiem Mass last month
Did he want to put more pressure on his younger brother, who now seems, finally, to have realised he must leave Royal Lodge?
And is this why the PM was so quick to back calls for an inquiry into the errant prince and his living arrangements?
Labour hereditary peer Lord Berkeley points out there could be one advantage if the Government does approve China’s controversial new embassy on the site of the old Royal Mint on the edge of the City.
‘Its proximity to the Tower of London would facilitate sending any spies there,’ he explained.
Ever since appearing on TV-am in the 1980s, Gyles Brandreth has sported garish jumpers.
He once said: ‘I remember [broadcaster] Clive James saying to me: “Gyles, those jumpers are a very good substitute for an act.”
‘It cut to the quick but I’ve been wearing them ever since.’
PM to the rescue? Bad call!
It may be fake news but it’s gone viral on the internet. Starmer was visiting a small village and asked locals what the Government
‘We have two big needs,’ said one man. ‘First, we have a health centre, but no doctor.’
Starmer whipped out his phone, spoke for a while and then said: ‘I’ve sorted it out. A doctor will arrive here tomorrow. What is your other need?’
‘We have no mobile phone reception in our village,’ came the reply.
In a podcast, Unearthed, actress Cate Blanchett praises King Charles, her interviewee, as a ‘remarkable voice’.
Is this the same Blanchett who, this year in an interview, objected to the description of him as her monarch. ‘Not my King. I’m Australian,’ she said. ‘Colonised.’
Labour council crisis
It’s why Labour are finding it difficult to attract candidates to stand for office.
It is a particular problem in Camden, north London, a Labour stronghold boasting 4,000 card-carrying members. The local party has been trying to persuade the faithful to stand for election to Camden Council – but they seem reluctant.
The shortage is a huge embarrassment to Sir Keir Starmer. He is a Camden MP.
After Kemi Badenoch’s successful Tory conference speech, the money is rolling into party HQ. In the three weeks since her Manchester triumph, the party says just over £500,000 has arrived in donations.
