John Major at the Leveson Enquiry
This is an extract from the BBC’s report on John Major appearing at the Leveson Enquiry.
Rupert Murdoch warned John Major to switch policy on Europe or his papers would not support him, the ex-prime minister has told the Leveson Inquiry.
Sir John recalled the exchange from a private meeting in 1997, which he said he had not spoken about before.
Later that year, his Conservative party lost power to Labour, with the Sun backing his rival Tony Blair.
Sir John said he was subjected to some “hurtful” press coverage while he was PM, but was “too sensitive” at times.
In about 1997, I was at a meeting, when John Major gave his view on the world. At that meeting, he said that “The Times, which used to be a newspaper, had accused him of dying his hair.” He then pointed to his grey hair and said. “Would anybody die it this colour?”
Sainsburys in High Holborn
I ventured into the Sainsburys Local at High Holborn today to get a paper. I left empty-handed as I couldn’t find them, as the shop had a maze-like quality and the staff seemed incapable of giving me clear directions.
I think it’s the last time I visit a shop without a full recci first!
Let’s Stick It to the Obituary Writers
Nick Curtis in the Evening Standard has a go at obituary writers in his piece tonight. He argues that you can’t libel the dead so why not tell the truth. He liked the obituary of Michael Jackson in Private Eye, headlined Mad Paedophile Dead.
After all, when the true stories are published, the truth comes out anyway. So why not print it in the obituary!
Why Does Rebekah Brooks Remind Me of My Endoscopy?
I’ve had two endoscopies to check on my coeliac disease. Neither was any problem and both were done without any sedative at all, as the first doctor explained, this was better in a lot of ways. In both cases I was able to walk out the hospital and drive myself home.
Every time though, I see a picture of Mrs. Brooks, she reminds me of the doctor, who performed the second procedure. It’s the hair mainly, although both are probably about the same height and build. But that’s probably as far as it goes.
I certainly know, who I would prefer to perform an endoscopy.
Rupert Murdoch Drops Himself In It
Rupert Murdoch “is not a fit person to exercise the stewardship of a major international company”, MPs have said. I’m not going to argue with that, as I don’t have the detailed evidence. However, I do know from the personal recollection of a friend of mine, who did a bit of business with Rupert, that he very much takes all the decisions.
So the buck stops with Mr. Murdoch! Unfortunately, there was no system of checks and balances to make sure he took the right decision!
Perhaps we need a rule, that all senior people in public companies are not above a certain age.
It’s Official Now!
They’ve announced that the rain is now the worst since Genesis Chapters 6 to 9.
I did walk to get my paper today, but I then waited in the shelter at the bus stop and cleared out the rubbish into the bin there, before taking the bus two stops to home.
At least my copy of The Times is dry.
France’s Public Finances are as Precariously Balanced as a Drunk on a Tightrope
This phrase was used in the second leader of The Times today. I like it.
The leader also goes on to use that wonderful English word; pootle.
My Concise Oxford English Dictionary doesn’t have the word. I think it must be a London word, as C often used it.
But it is in the online version of the OED and is defined as.
move or travel in a leisurely manner
It was a strange word though for a serious piece in a serious newspaper.
Paper Isn’t What It Used To Be
I do find reading a newspaper these days to be an absolute trial, as turning the pages in order seems almost impossible.
I did think it was the stroke, but it now appears to me to be the quality of paper that is now used by papers like The Times and The Evening Standard.
Increasingly, I am using the on-line versions of both papers. And others that I don’t buy or pick up.
I Spy A Pillar Box With A Cupboard
I haven’t seen a pillar box like this for some years.
A Pillar Box With A Cupboard
I always remember this from the I-Spy books of my childhood. These were books published by the News Chronicle, where you ticked off things you had seen. This type of pillar box might have been in something like I-Spy on the Street
The cupboard incidentally, is so that postmen can store mail in a safe place, whilst they deliver to other addresses. I doubt it’s used these days.
The App List
The Sunday Times today has a section called The App List. As I don’t even have a smart phone, should I ask for a refund?
Should we revert to the original nickname of mobile phones of a poserphone for smart phones?
The Anonymous Widower 