EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: Historian Andrew Lownie fails in his bid to find out if Scotland Yard ever investigated Virginia Giuffre’s allegations against Prince Andrew
Historian Andrew Lownie has failed in his bid, under the Freedom of Information Act, to find out if Scotland Yard ever investigated Virginia Giuffre’s allegations against Prince Andrew. He’d asked if police had looked into her claims of being trafficked to the UK and, if not, who had authorised that the probe be dropped. The Met replied: ‘We cannot confirm or deny whether information is held in relation to any allegations from this individual.’ While Andrew has always denied the allegations and settled her civil claim with no admission of liability, Lownie states: ‘I believe the public are entitled to know whether the police even bothered to investigate the allegations made against the Duke of York. We need clarity. Let us hope the police do not consider the Royal Family are above the law.’
Andrew has always denied the allegations and settled her civil claim with no admission of liability
Jeffrey Archer’s biographer Michael Crick makes mischief over the millionaire scribbler’s latest tome, where the hero aspires to become Met Police Commissioner. He urges interviewers to ask Jeffrey why he abandoned his own career as a London bobby after five months. Answering his own question, Crick claims: ‘He was bluntly advised to leave after constantly complaining about his police trainee living conditions in Kennington.’ Move along Crick, nothing to see here!
Actor Michael Gambon, who has died aged 82, regretted never managing to seduce English rose Joanne Whalley, pictured in her prime in hit 1986 TV series The Singing Detective. Recalling his co-star, who played Nurse Mills, Gambon remarked: ‘Joanne Whalley? I tried, but no luck. I loved Joanne Whalley… even [the show’s writer] Dennis Potter whispered to me when we were talking about her. He said, “Any luck?”’ Remembering Whalley’s character having to apply lotion on his skin in the story, Gambon cheekily added: ‘The greasing was good. We rehearsed it ten times.’
Actor Michael Gambon, who has died aged 82, regretted never managing to seduce English rose Joanne Whalley, pictured in her prime in hit 1986 TV series The Singing Detective
Discussing the Laurence Fox controversy, broadcaster Joan Bakewell, 90, bluntly announces on the Times Radio airwaves: ‘Laurence is a d***, isn’t he? I mean, he’s just an idiot.’ Host Aasmah Mir chuckles: ‘Oh dear Joan, you shouldn’t use that word. But anyway, go on.’ No word from Ofcom yet!
Harry and Meghan, as well as Archie and Lilibet, have been sent Coronation medals as the King continues the late Queen’s tradition of distributing them to the wider Royal Family. If they don’t fancy the gong, which might be tricky for Harry as it includes an image of Camilla, they could choose to sell them. As we reported in the summer, some scamps were selling their medal, before it had even been struck, for up to £750. Now they are swamping the internet at just £25 a pop.
Harry and Meghan, as well as Archie and Lilibet, have been sent Coronation medals as the King continues the late Queen’s tradition of distributing them to the wider Royal Family
Charles Dickens boffins, delighted that ‘it was the best of times, it was the worst of times’ (from A Tale Of Two Cities) has been voted the most iconic opening to a novel, claim – tongue in cheek – that prior to publication the novel was serialised in two local newspapers: It was the Bicester Times, it was the Worcester Times. Well suit yourself!
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