Londoner's Diary
It appears that the News Agents podcasters may need a refresher session in office etiquette. Journos Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall record their podcast in the headquarters of Global radio, along with the staff of LBC. While relations are generally cordial, The Londoner has heard some grumbling.
One rankled staff member told us that former Newsnight anchor Maitlis comes in most mornings with her pet whippet, Moody, in tow. LBC staff were not aware that dogs are allowed in the office. Maitlis then deposits the lead with one of her producers, who is often seen walking the dog up and down the studio while the three stars record the podcast. Moody is clearly used to the good life: Maitlis once got flak for letting the pooch sleep next to her on the seat of a busy train.
Maitlis’s co-presenter Lewis Goodall has drawn separate complaints. After making a cups of tea, Goodall has been spotted putting his dirty teaspoons back into the cutlery drawer of the shared kitchen without so much as a rinse.
Some have started calling him out. “Difficult time for me and my family. My wife is disgusted with me,” said Goodall when we quizzed him on teaspoon-gate. Maybe one for the New Year’s Resolutions, Lewis?
Charmer Cameron usurps Sunak for Christmas cheer
There was no shortage of yuletide cheer for Conservative MPs last night, who had a choice of two top-notch Christmas parties to go to.
The main billing was at No 10 Downing Street, where Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed his fractious party for an end-of-year celebration.
The squabbling Tories managed to put aside differences for an evening. Perhaps they were listening when Sir Keir Starmer mocked their lack of Christmas goodwill at Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday.
At his drinks, the PM gave a speech in which he gently ribbed his Cabinet ministers, joking that Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron might get a pamphlet about the benefits of Brexit as a Christmas present. Sunak also mocked Right-wing rebel leader Mark Francois, who has been characterised as the mafioso leader of the “five families” of Tory rebels. The PM said he might get him the director’s cut of The Godfather for Christmas.
Over at Lancaster House the Foreign Secretary, above left, hosted his own Christmas party. Former PM Cameron entertained guests with stories of ex-president Barack Obama, who he said once tucked him into bed on board Air Force One. Cameron can’t help but outshine Sunak, what with his wealth of experience and noted charm, but does he have to be so gleeful while he does it?
Rags to Ritchies
Soho is “so back”. At the peak of Christmas party season, it feels like the centre of London’s night life has finally made a full-scale recovery from the pandemic and we were there to join in the revelry. Londoner’s Diary held our annual Christmas drinks in the bar of Daroco on Manette Street, where diarists old and new traded their more unprintable tittle-tattle. Even royalty was drawn to W1 last night. Over on Berwick Street, merry patrons in one bar spotted the distinct figure of Prince Edward among them. Meanwhile, director Guy Ritchie and his son Rocco were settled in at the Devonshire, where they enjoyed a hearty three-course meal. In the back room of the pub, The Fence magazine launched its new issue with a crowd of hacks and scribes.
Last night in town
Legendary fashion journalist Suzy Menkes celebrated her 80th birthday with a dinner at Dover Street Market. Sarah Burton, Andreas Kronthaler, Christopher Kane, Dame Zandra Rhodes and Michael Kors were there. Menkes was armed with a giant bottle of Don Julio tequila, and guests posed with a Disneyland-style mascot of her. Menkes said she got her start at the Evening Standard, where she first met Anna Wintour — who was something of a shrinking violet back then. She added that she will soon be publishing her diaries, which will tell the “unvarnished truth” of six decades in fashion.