An apartment party

THE “Westminster bubble” is a goldfish bowl for politicians. They swim back and forth in safe waters, navigating around each other while largely disconnected from the people who put them there. But the second they venture outside and, shock horror, encounter “the voter”, there’s a clear and present danger that the bubble gets popped and they’re left gasping for air. The latest one that didn’t get away is Labour leader Sir Koi Starmer, who blithely strode into The Raven pub in Bath for a post-lockdown, cleansing ale while on the Mayoral campaign trail in Bath. The visit had been pre-arranged with the pub’s co-owner Tim Perry who, presumably, was on board with the media-managed idea of Sir Keir dropping in for a “spontaneous” pint with jolly, on-message locals while projecting a “just like one of the lads” image. But the other co-owner, Rod Humphris, clearly didn’t get the memo. Despite being a Labour supporter, as soon as he clapped eyes on the Westminster … [Read more...] about Sir Koi, voters will carp when you’re a fish out of water in the real world

A New York-listed company has joined the race to buy the remnants of the biotech empire amassed by Neil Woodford, the fallen star UK fund manager. Sky News has learnt that Acacia Research Corporation is among a small number of parties which remain in discussions about acquiring the portfolio of stakes in companies such as Mereo BioPharma and Rutherford Cancer Centres. The discussions have been taking place for some time, but remain tentative, industry sources said. Acacia Research, which did not respond to several requests for comment, invests in intellectual property and patented technologies. Last year, it struck a deal with Starboard Value, a prominent activist investor, to provide Acacia with up to $400m for strategic investments and acquisitions. Advertisement It was unclear on Wednesday who else was involved in the process to buy the former Woodford Investment Management (WIM) portfolio. Mr Woodford himself, along with former colleague … [Read more...] about US-listed Acacia eyes remnants of Woodford’s biotech empire

PROUD feminist Meghan has revealed her plans for life as a Royal after she broke tradition to give a powerful wedding speech. The Duchess of Sussex has now received her own web page on the official royal.uk website where it confirms she will carry out duties for the Queen. The webpage also includes Meghan's famous quote from a United Nations conference in New York in 2015 when she said: "I am proud to be a woman and a feminist". And it makes reference to her "keen awareness of social issues" and how she has "actively participated in charitable work" from a young age. The caring former actress volunteered in a Los Angeles soup kitchen aged 13 and helped at another in Toronto while filming Suits there. The Duchess, seen by many as someone who will breathe life into the Royals, broke tradition when she gave her wedding speech. How the Royal Wedding unfolded... Harry and Meghan have now left Windsor Castle to begin their married life together Meghan wore … [Read more...] about ‘Proud’ Feminist Meghan reveals her plans for life as a Royal just hours after wedding

Downing Street has mounted a fightback against "sleaze" accusations by planting stories in Tory-supporting newspapers accusing Dominic Cummings of leaking Number 10 texts. The Times, The Daily Telegraph and The Sun quote unnamed Downing Street sources claiming Mr Cummings leaked texts about tycoon Sir James Dyson and Saudi Arabia's crown prince. The lead story on page one of The Times appears under a headline: "Cummings is accused of leaking PM's texts. Johnson 'saddened by bitter former adviser'." The Daily Telegraph's headline, also its lead story, is: "Cummings accused of leaking No 10 texts. Downing Street sources claim former chief adviser released PM's messages out of spite." And the Sun's page-one headline, alongside photos of Mr Cummings and the prime minister, is: "PM accuses ex-adviser of leaks. Boris: Dom's a text maniac." Advertisement In leaked texts to Sir James, Mr Johnson promised he would "fix" a tax issue for Dyson staff … [Read more...] about Number 10 ‘sources’ accuse Dominic Cummings of leaking Boris Johnson’s texts with Dyson and Saudi crown prince

In the end, Chelsea failing to beat Brighton was almost an irrelevance. It should actually have been on the undercard. The big fight had already been won. Wrestling back their club mattered far more to Chelsea’s fans, massed outside Stamford Bridge in the hours leading up to last night’s goalless draw. They hurled beer in the air and caution to the wind as the word on the street came through that the club were pulling out of the Super League. They hugged each other, maskless, in scenes that would have had the scientists crying on Chris Whitty’s shoulder. Supporters may still be banned from the stands but they were still the ones with the final say over the scheme soaked in avarice that threatened to bring world football to it’s knees. It was a protest before it turned into a party. Legendary former Chelsea keeper Petr Cech, now the club’s Technical Director, remonstrated in vain with the hundreds refusing to move to allow the team coach into the stadium. He pleaded with … [Read more...] about Chelsea v Brighton draw ‘should have been on undercard as fight already won by club’s fans’