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Diary: waiting for the royal prank call inquest. What will we know and when will we know it? Diary: waiting for the royal prank call inquest. What will we know and when will we know it?
(6 months later)
• Concerns about closed-door justice intensify. On Tuesday, Westminster coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox was due to hold a public inquest into the death of nurse Jacintha Saldana, who was operating the switchboard when the Australian DJ pranksters called and were put through to the ward treating the Duchess of Cambridge. Instead, the coroner is likely to meet away from prying eyes with lawyers for among others, the King Edward Vll hospital. The nurse's family and its lawyers are not keen to have the Australian radio station named as an interested party. This would make it easier to blame the Aussies and detract from any criticisms of the royal hospital. There is concern about how much of the nurse's notes relating to the hospital will emerge. All a bit of a trial really. Especially as one of those recently availing himself of the royal hospital's care was the Duke of Edinburgh.• Concerns about closed-door justice intensify. On Tuesday, Westminster coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox was due to hold a public inquest into the death of nurse Jacintha Saldana, who was operating the switchboard when the Australian DJ pranksters called and were put through to the ward treating the Duchess of Cambridge. Instead, the coroner is likely to meet away from prying eyes with lawyers for among others, the King Edward Vll hospital. The nurse's family and its lawyers are not keen to have the Australian radio station named as an interested party. This would make it easier to blame the Aussies and detract from any criticisms of the royal hospital. There is concern about how much of the nurse's notes relating to the hospital will emerge. All a bit of a trial really. Especially as one of those recently availing himself of the royal hospital's care was the Duke of Edinburgh.
• They are creatures of habit at the BBC, and one long established tradition is that, after the Sunday morning news programme on BBC1, the protagonists – those who concurred, those who disagreed – go off and share breakfast. It was the way when the programme was Breakfast with Frost; it endures now that it is the Andrew Marr Show. This Sunday, however, after his mauling by Eddie Mair, the stand-in presenter and newly discovered national treasure, Boris Johnson didn't hang around for bacon or for egg or even for the continental. After last night's added scuffing from filmmaker Michael Cockerell, he might not fancy lunch or dinner either.• They are creatures of habit at the BBC, and one long established tradition is that, after the Sunday morning news programme on BBC1, the protagonists – those who concurred, those who disagreed – go off and share breakfast. It was the way when the programme was Breakfast with Frost; it endures now that it is the Andrew Marr Show. This Sunday, however, after his mauling by Eddie Mair, the stand-in presenter and newly discovered national treasure, Boris Johnson didn't hang around for bacon or for egg or even for the continental. After last night's added scuffing from filmmaker Michael Cockerell, he might not fancy lunch or dinner either.
• So, will Boris's humiliation affect the love he enjoys from the Evening Standard? On Monday, there was a photo on the front with an adoring voter and the headline "Someone loves you Boris". Inside, a story making light of his predicament, as his father Stanley condemned the BBC. Later, a comment piece concluding that no one's bothered about a few fibs, a jab at Mair's "face for radio", a picture of Stanley at an environmental event and then a shot of sister Rachel in a story about planning. The love may cool but not yet.• So, will Boris's humiliation affect the love he enjoys from the Evening Standard? On Monday, there was a photo on the front with an adoring voter and the headline "Someone loves you Boris". Inside, a story making light of his predicament, as his father Stanley condemned the BBC. Later, a comment piece concluding that no one's bothered about a few fibs, a jab at Mair's "face for radio", a picture of Stanley at an environmental event and then a shot of sister Rachel in a story about planning. The love may cool but not yet.
• Something extraordinary has happened since last week's item flagging up the government's admission that signatures meant for the petition relating to the actor Ricky Tomlinson and the Shrewsbury 24 have gone unrecorded. This is important because the e-petition on behalf of those arrested after taking part in a strike needs 100,000 signatures by 27 June if campaigners are to secure a debate in the House of Commons. At the time of writing last Tuesday – nine months after the petition was posted – it was showing just 17,285 signatures; yesterday it was 21,455. Where did they come from? Amazing really.• Something extraordinary has happened since last week's item flagging up the government's admission that signatures meant for the petition relating to the actor Ricky Tomlinson and the Shrewsbury 24 have gone unrecorded. This is important because the e-petition on behalf of those arrested after taking part in a strike needs 100,000 signatures by 27 June if campaigners are to secure a debate in the House of Commons. At the time of writing last Tuesday – nine months after the petition was posted – it was showing just 17,285 signatures; yesterday it was 21,455. Where did they come from? Amazing really.
• As Nigel Farage, meanwhile, promotes Ukip as the only alternative for those tired of the Westminster dance, observers consider what kind of individuals they would be endorsing. Farage himself has already questioned Ukip's selection process. Are you going to do better, he was asked? Couldn't do worse, he replied. But some question whether that's right. Are you really going to entertain the former shock jock and Sun columnist Jon Gaunt, Farage was asked by an Iain Dale on LBC 97.3? "We'll take anybody," replied Ukip's champion. Which is much as we imagined, but it's nice to hear it from him.• As Nigel Farage, meanwhile, promotes Ukip as the only alternative for those tired of the Westminster dance, observers consider what kind of individuals they would be endorsing. Farage himself has already questioned Ukip's selection process. Are you going to do better, he was asked? Couldn't do worse, he replied. But some question whether that's right. Are you really going to entertain the former shock jock and Sun columnist Jon Gaunt, Farage was asked by an Iain Dale on LBC 97.3? "We'll take anybody," replied Ukip's champion. Which is much as we imagined, but it's nice to hear it from him.
• Less said these days about Broken Britain, but everywhere one sees its effects. In the Tory fiefdom of Westminster, locals complain of people urinating in the street. Why should this be? One reason is a dispute between Westminster council and Carlisle Cleaning Services, the company to which it privatised its public toilets last year. Carlisle is part of the Impellam Group owned by the party's favourite bankroller and former deputy chairman, Lord Ashcroft. The council tells West End Extra that there is an issue about the lease, which might explain why loos were found shut when it was thought they should be open. It says the matter is in the hands of lawyers. The company insists loos operate to "agreed opening hours" but might shut for maintenance. The bushes, locals note, are open 24 hours a day.• Less said these days about Broken Britain, but everywhere one sees its effects. In the Tory fiefdom of Westminster, locals complain of people urinating in the street. Why should this be? One reason is a dispute between Westminster council and Carlisle Cleaning Services, the company to which it privatised its public toilets last year. Carlisle is part of the Impellam Group owned by the party's favourite bankroller and former deputy chairman, Lord Ashcroft. The council tells West End Extra that there is an issue about the lease, which might explain why loos were found shut when it was thought they should be open. It says the matter is in the hands of lawyers. The company insists loos operate to "agreed opening hours" but might shut for maintenance. The bushes, locals note, are open 24 hours a day.
Diary@guardian.co.ukDiary@guardian.co.uk
Twitter: @hugh_muir Twitter: @hugh_muir
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