The Times 23072022

SATURDAY 2G £3 £1.75 to subscribers

July 23 2022 | thetimes.co.uk | No 73843 (based on 7 Day Print Pack)

Long In bed WEEKEND
with
lunch! Silicon
Valley
The best
places to Do this couple have
eat alfresco
the secret to sleep?

WEEKEND MAGAZINE

Britain facing national
emergency, says Sunak

Leadership hopeful warns of crises in the economy, NHS and over illegal migration

Steven Swinford Political Editor LUCY YOUNG FOR THE TIMES would be more popular if he promised A-list health
unfunded tax cuts. I tried the new
Britain is facing a national emergency Rishi Sunak, the former chancellor, said it would be irresponsible not to tackle the £300 IV drip
over the economy, NHS backlogs and problems facing Britain head on as he set out his pitch to be the next prime minister Sunak denied claims by Truss’s allies Flight-free
illegal migration, Rishi Sunak says that he was re-running “project fear”
today as he pledges to put the govern- from the EU referendum and said her holidays
ment on a “crisis footing” from day one plans for £30 billion of tax cuts risked Europe without
if he becomes prime minister. inflation becoming “entrenched”. He
said: “That’s not project fear . . . Ignoring airports
In an interview with The Times, the that problem is irresponsible.”
former chancellor said the government MAGAZINE
was not “working as well as it should” He added that high levels of inflation
and warned that a “business-as-usual could last for far longer than forecast as Eat!
mentality” was no longer enough. he ruled out making any further com- Easy £1 a head
mitments to cut personal taxes during
He said families were facing “enor- the leadership campaign. recipes
mous” costs from rising inflation, the
NHS was under unsustainable pressure “What I worry about is the inflation y(7HB7E2*OTSRQT( |||+$!}
and the public believed the government we’re seeing now becoming entrenched
had lost control of Britain’s borders. for longer,” he says. “If that happens it
will be incredibly damaging for millions
Sunak will announce policies to across the UK. The cost for families is
tackle five national crises over the com- going to be enormous.”
ing weeks in a challenge to Liz Truss,
the foreign secretary, who is leading In a further criticism of the govern-
polls of Tory members before the final ment’s record, Sunak suggested minis-
vote in the party leadership race. ters had lost their grip on the nation’s
borders. More than 15,000 migrants
“Having been inside government I have crossed the Channel this year.
think the system just isn’t working as
well as it should,” he said. “And the He pledged to push on with the gov-
challenges I’m talking about, they’re ernment’s policy of sending migrants to
not abstract, they’re not things that are Rwanda and to deal with legal challen-
coming long down the track. They’re ges “robustly”. He also suggested that
challenges that are staring us in the face his relationship with President Macron
and a business-as-usual mentality isn’t of France would be more constructive
going to cut it in dealing with them. So than Boris Johnson’s, enabling progress
from day one of being in office I’m on talks to tackle the problem.
going to put us on a crisis footing.”
“I don’t think people feel that we do
In other developments: [have control] when they see the
6 Truss’s favourite economist, Prof- pictures on their screens [of migrants
essor Patrick Minford, told The Times arriving on beaches],” he said.
yesterday that interest rates would
have to rise as high as 7 per cent as part Today Sunak is promising an emer-
of her tax-cutting package, saying this gency package to force down NHS
would be “good” for the economy waiting lists through tougher targets
despite concerns over mortgages. led by a “backlogs task force”. The
6 Sunak and Truss will take part in a health service, he said, would “break”
head-to-head debate on Tuesday, host- without radical change as long waiting
ed by The Sun and TalkTV. lists force people to go private “with a
6 Robert Halfon, a senior backbench gun to their head”.
MP and ally of Sunak, took a swipe at
Truss by saying the former chancellor Rishi Sunak interview, pages 6-7

To win this fight, Sunak must make it

personal, Matthew Parris, page 25

Thatcher’s heir, letters, page 28

2 2GM Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

News Rail strikes to go ahead next
week as pay dispute talks fail
Today’s highlights
Simon Cable cuts to maintenance work if we did not members on August 18 and 20 if the
8.20am Nick Thomas-Symonds, the shadow international withdraw our planned strike action,” dispute is not resolved.
trade secretary Nationwide rail strikes are set to cripple Lynch said.
Britain’s network a day before the The companies involved in the RMT
8.35am Nigel Gibson, lead negotiator with the rail Commonwealth Games starts after a “The train operating companies have strikes are Network Rail, Chiltern Rail-
company Greater Anglia breakdown in talks to resolve a dispute put driver-only operations on the table ways, CrossCountry Trains, Greater
over pay, jobs and conditions. along with ransacking our members’ Anglia, LNER, East Midlands Railway,
9.35am Sajid Naeemi, a former Afghan interpreter terms and conditions.” c2c, Great Western Railway, Northern
who has been separated from his son The Rail, Maritime and Transport Trains, South Eastern, South Western
union (RMT) accused Network Rail Tim Shoveller, Network Rail’s lead Railway, TransPennine Express, Avanti
11.15am Vitali Klitschko, right, the Kyiv mayor yesterday of threatening its workers negotiator, said the RMT had “walked West Coast, West Midlands Trains and
and former heavyweight boxing champion with compulsory redundancies and away from ongoing and constructive GTR (including Gatwick Express).
“ransacking our members’ terms and talks”.
12pm John Sweeney, the award-winning conditions”. Unison, the public services union, is
journalist, talks about his new book on He added: “A two-year, 8 per cent to bring a legal challenge to a new law
President Putin, Killer in the Kremlin Mick Lynch, the RMT’s general deal with a no-compulsory-redundan- allowing employers to use agency staff
secretary, confirmed that negotiations cy guarantee and other benefits and to replace striking workers during dis-
DAB RADIO l ONLINE l SMART SPEAKER l APP had broken down, saying the union “will extras was on the table and they have putes. The law came into force on
not be bullied or cajoled by anyone”. walked away without giving their Thursday.
T O DAY ’ S E D I T I O N members a voice or a choice.”
More than 40,000 workers at Unison has written to Kwasi
French warned Rwanda scheme Welby happy to Network Rail and 14 train operating The strike will disrupt parts of Kwarteng, the business secretary,
over Dover wait ‘limited to 200’ stay until 2026 companies plan to walk out on Transport for London’s network as the about its intention to seek a judicial
Wednesday. The Transport Salaried District and Bakerloo Tube lines, review of the regulations. The union
France has been told The government of The Archbishop of Staffs’ Association (TSSA) has already London Overground and the Elizabeth said Kwarteng has 14 days to respond,
to staff its immigration Rwanda has said it has Canterbury, the Most announced a strike by its members at Line all share some sections of track otherwise it will take the government to
points at Dover capacity to take only Rev Justin Welby, has Avanti West Coast that day. with Network Rail. the High Court to try to get the meas-
properly or six-hour 200 migrants from the said that he will stay in ure overturned.
queues endured by UK despite Boris post until he reaches This month Network Rail offered Passengers should also expect some
holidaymakers Johnson claiming retirement age in 2026 workers a 4 per cent pay rise backdated disruption on Thursday morning, with A government spokesman said: “The
yesterday will continue thousands would be if he remains in good to January, which the RMT described a later start to services as signalling staff business secretary makes no apology
as paltry. return to work. for taking action so that essential
all summer. Page 5 sent there. Page 12 health. Page 20 services are run as effectively as poss-
“Network Rail have upped the ante, A week today members of the drivers’ ible, ensuring the British public don’t
Russia agrees Twitter blames Maguire ‘can threatening to impose compulsory union Aslef at eight train operators have to pay the price for strike action.”
deal on grain Musk for slide stop booing’ redundancies and unsafe 50 per cent across the country will go on strike.

Millions of people in Twitter has blamed Erik ten Hag, the There will be strikes by RMT
the developing world Elon Musk’s erratic Manchester United
could be spared famine pursuit of the company manager, has told his Exam staff walkout may delay results
after Russia agreed to and a worldwide centre-back Harry
allow Ukrainian grain advertising slowdown Maguire that he must Simon Cable were reopened. The strife comes as the disrupt students and know how
exports to resume for its last quarter rediscover his top form union said it was challenging the important exam results are to them.”
from blockaded Black revenues unexpectedly if he is to stop fans Pupils’ results could be delayed this government over a new law to allow
summer after staff at the largest exam employers to use agency staff to replace The walkout is the latest industrial
Sea ports. Page 38 declining. Page 43 booing. Sport, pullout board announced plans yesterday to striking workers. unrest this year after disruption among
hold a 72-hour walkout over pay. staff on the railways and at courts.
COMMENT 25 REGISTER 74 TV & RADIO Staff at AQA received an increase of
LEADING ARTICLES 29 CROSSWORD 79 SATURDAY REVIEW Union members at AQA will strike 0.6 per cent last year, with 3 per cent AQA said the proposed strike was
for three days, from Friday, July 29, to offered this year. Unison said this was a “disappointing” because it had offered
thetimes FOLLOW US thetimes Sunday, July 31, after rejecting a 3 per real-terms pay cut. an “affordable” pay rise.
cent pay rise plus a £500 payment.
timesandsundaytimes Lizanne Devonport, a Unison “Our priority is always to make sure
Some of those striking are helping to official, said the workers had been left students get the results they deserve on
WEEKEND SATURDAY REVIEW SPORT mark the results of pupils who sat with no option but to strike. “Pay has time and we have robust plans in place
GCSE or A-level exams this year, al- been falling behind prices for years and to make sure any strike action won’t
though AQA insisted it would prevent 3 per cent isn’t a wage rise,” she said. affect that,” an official said. “It’s a shame
disruption. With costs spiralling, it’s a pay cut. that Unison is claiming otherwise, as
Things are so bad staff are fearful they this is wrong and only serves needlessly
A-level pupils are to receive their will no longer be able to make ends to alarm students and teachers.
results on August 18 and GCSE pupils a meet.
week later. “We’re giving our people a pay rise
“Workers only strike as a last resort. that’s affordable and higher than many
Unison, which represents about 160 They’d rather be doing the jobs that organisations, so it’s disappointing that
of the 1,200 staff at AQA, said industrial they’re proud of. They don’t want to Unison has decided to take strike
action was likely to escalate unless talks action.”

FRENCH FANCY QUICK DRAW CASHING IN Soham killer should die in Goldsmith
What happens Meet the workers Ten years on, was jail, insists retired detective
when you buy a says climate
ruined château who go gallery London 2012 Sean O’Neill course of justice and lives under a new
sketching at lunch worth the cost? identity. protests work
PULLOUT PAGES 6-7 Ian Huntley, who killed the schoolgirls
PULLOUT PAGES 8-9 PULLOUT PAGES 12-13 Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman Stevenson, 71, said he was not moved George Sandeman
almost 20 years ago, should die in jail, by reports in 2018 that Huntley, now 48,
THE WEATHER © TIMES NEWSPAPERS LIMITED, 2022. the detective who caught him has told had expressed remorse for the murders. Lord Goldsmith, the environment
Published in print and all other derivative The Times. “Christian teaching says you should, minister, has said methods used by
28 14 20 formats by Times Newspapers Ltd, 1 but I personally can’t bring myself to climate protesters are effective and
17 26 London Bridge St, London, SE1 9GF, Chris Stevenson arrested Huntley forgive him. I think Huntley should justified after activists scaled gantries
18 telephone 020 7782 5000. Printed by: within days of taking charge of the spend 40 years getting up day after day on the M25 on Wednesday to declare
22 19 Newsprinters (Broxbourne) Ltd, investigation in Soham, Cambridge- after day knowing that he can’t go the motorway a “site of civil resistance”.
19 Great Cambridge Rd, Waltham Cross, shire. He said that despite his Christian anywhere. Should he ever be released?
28 EN8 8DY; Newsprinters (Knowsley) Ltd, faith he could not forgive Huntley. No, no, not in my view.” They demanded a statement from
Kitling Rd, Prescot, Merseyside, L34 9HN; the government saying that it would
Increasing cloud will bring spells of Newsprinters (Eurocentral) Ltd, Holly and Jessica, who were ten, The Soham case was the last investi- end the development of fossil fuels.
rain in the north and west. Byramsmuir Road, Holytown, Motherwell, went missing on August 4, 2002, trig- gation of the detective’s career. “It’s
ML1 1NP; Associated Printing (Carn) Ltd, gering a huge investigation. Huntley, a there and it’s never going to go away,” Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park, a
Full forecast, page 73 Morton 2 Esky Drive, Carn Industial Estate, school caretaker, was initially dis- he said. He has given hundreds of former editor of The Ecologist
Portadown, BT63 5YY; KP Services, La Rue counted as a suspect. As police “warts-and-all” lectures to police offi- magazine, told the BBC’s The Week in
If a section of your Times is missing, please call 020-7711 1525 or e-mail Martel, La Rue des Pres Trading Estate, St searched for the girls, he spoke to cers on the lessons of the inquiry. Westminster: “That kind of pressure
help@timesplus.co.uk and we will send it to you, subject to availability. Saviour, Jersey, JE2 7QR. For permission to reporters saying he had been the last does work. It may be annoying, but it
copy articles or headlines for internal person to talk to them before they In his interview with The Times works.” He added that many people felt
information purposes contact Newspaper disappeared. He was arrested after Magazine, he disclosed how recovering “we’re not doing enough” to tackle
Licensing Agency at PO Box 101, Tunbridge Stevenson took control of the investi- from a nervous breakdown had climate change, although “stopping
Wells, TN1 1WX, tel 01892 525274, e-mail gation in its second week. prepared him for what became the ambulances and things, it’s not going to
copy@nla.co.uk. For all other reproduction most intense case of his career. He said: win any friends”. The programme airs
and licensing inquiries contact Licensing In December 2003 Huntley was “I thought I’d had a heart attack. ‘Your on Radio 4 tonight at 11pm.
Department, 1 London Bridge St, London, jailed for life by the Old Bailey, with a heart’s fine,’ [my GP] said. ‘The trouble
SE1 9GF, telephone 020 7711 7888, minimum term of 40 years. His partner, is your head is full. You are up to here Goldsmith is supporting Liz Truss for
e-mail enquiries@newslicensing.co.uk Maxine Carr, 45, a former teaching and this is the body reacting.’ ” the Tory leadership. During the tele-
assistant, was jailed for perverting the vised debates Truss did not commit to
Interview, Magazine making Britain net zero by 2050.

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 3

News

Man who made
Mars Ice Cream
is frozen out of
history no more

Jack Blackburn History Correspondent umn appeared. “Reporters would have given to her late husband, who died Dan Jacoby with his kitchen-table a choc ice at the time, but he insisted
been told, ‘No, it was the company’ .” in 2015 aged 63 after a long illness. that his real dairy ice cream would
His bosses weren’t interested anymore, confection, above, and an early be worth the expense. Its success
but Dan Jacoby persisted. He brought Mars guards its secrets jealously. “My girls and I feel like he’s getting transformed the way ice creams
his work home to his own kitchen, his Apparently, no visitors are allowed on his just kudos,” she said. “He didn’t advert for Mars Ice Cream, top left were created and marketed.
children helped him perfect it, and he to the floor where they make Maltesers, get as much recognition as he
did not relent until his superiors agreed so protecting the name of the man who should have and worked very hard.” momix food blender as he pursued The invention opened the door for
to give the Mars bar ice cream a chance. had cracked the secret of frozen choco- confectionary perfection. other chocolate bar ice creams to be
late bars was standard behaviour. She played her role in the crea- made, such as Bounty and Snickers,
Jacoby was a real-life Willy Wonka tion of the ice cream, recalling the day “He had boundless energy,” Porter with Jacoby playing a key role.
who changed the world of British ice Now, though, former Martians that he came home with the task of recalled. “He was exhausting in the Thirty-three years on, the market is
creams, but his name has remained — as workers for the company are inventing a new product. She men- sense that he would push and push and still growing. Some 2.8 million people
largely secret. known — have decided that enough tioned putting chocolate bars in the pester and pester until he got you to do bought Mars Ice Cream bars in 2020.
time has passed for Jacoby to get his fridge in summer and “watched a light- whatever it is he wanted you to do. He while last year the company’s ice
Now his widow is thrilled that he is recognition for the Mars bar ice cream, bulb go on”. wouldn’t take no for an answer.” cream division grew by more than 50
getting his just deserts after corre- with Britons eating tens of millions of per cent.
spondence in The Times brought his them since their release in 1989. Perfecting the recipe was difficult, While not all of Jacoby’s ideas were as Jacoby was more than just an invent-
name into the spotlight. and involved getting the correct tem- good — Mars Milk was less successful or, too. He was a school governor
“I’ve always thought that his family pering of chocolate, trying to make a — Porter has no hesitation in calling and worked for the Prince’s Trust,
It began when our columnist Max would love to feel there was a bit of caramel that wouldn’t go rock-hard him a genius. “The proof is in the pud- though never sought credit for the
Hastings wrote on Tuesday about his public recognition for a man who was a in the freezer and creating the right sort ding,” he says, metaphorically and liter- things he did. “He was a very humble
love for the product and how, as an lovely human being and the invention of nougat. “He was discouraged from ally. Jacoby’s invention was sold at 50p person,” said his widow. “It was his job
editor, he had asked his reporters to he was responsible for,” said Angus pursuing the project at work,” Porter in 1989 — more than double the price of and he was astounded when they won
find the inventor. It was to no avail as Porter, who worked with Jacoby for said. “He went home and made innovation awards. He was definitely
Mars would not release any details. more than a decade and joined the mocked-up samples at his kitchen ta- an innovator ahead of his time — a real
correspondence, describing him in a ble, then brought them in.” blue-sky thinker.”
“Mars is a very private company,” letter on Thursday as “inspiring, infuri-
said Bob Beveridge, who worked as an ating, exhausting” but also “a genius”. Porter thought this might have been Deserved recognition for Dan Jacoby,
accountant for the confectioner, and apocryphal, but Linda Jacoby backed it
was the first to identify Jacoby, in a Indeed, Jacoby’s widow Linda is up, saying that her husband had their leading article, page 29
letter the day after the Hastings’ col- thrilled by the attention now being children working at the family Ther-

Farmers bowled over by berry boom Faulty ejector seats force
RAF to ground fighter jets
Ali Mitib After a wet Jubilee weekend, we are ex- Laura Mitchell, the buying manager for
cited to be able to finally celebrate the berries at Tesco, said: “British shoppers Larisa Brown Defence Editor to carry out crucial missions and it was
The heatwave has produced bumper British strawberry season.” are going through a tough time at the only those carrying out training and
crops of strawberries and cherries, forc- moment, and if there’s something that The RAF has been forced to ground its routine patrols that were affected. A
ing farmers to slash prices to offload Tesco has begun selling 1kg boxes of can put a big smile on faces right now, fleet of Typhoon fighter jets due to a source said that there was deemed to be
tonnes of extra produce and prevent strawberries at more than 750 stores it’s being able to buy sweet, lush, British fault that may affect the ability of the a “low risk” to the pilots given the chan-
them from going to waste. across the country for £4. Last month, a strawberries for less than normal. ejector seats to function properly. ces of them needing to use the seats.
400g box of strawberries cost £2.50.
The prolonged spell of sunshine has “The heatwave has brought on the The hitch has also affected the Red It is understood the problem is with
led to a growth spurt for both fruits in Cherries in 1kg boxes will also be sold strawberries faster than expected, with Arrows aerobatics team, who were due the cartridge in the seat. Typically, an
counties including Norfolk, Lancash- at more than 850 of the supermarket’s to fly over swathes of the country yes- ejector seat is operated using the ejec-
ire, Herefordshire and Kent. stores for £5. A 400g punnet was many growers seeing produc- terday as part of a flypast to mark the tion handle, which pulls off an explo-
previously available for £3. tion about 10-15 per cent end of the Farnborough airshow. sive cartridge in the catapult gun,
Alastair Brooks, the managing di- higher than normal for launching the seat into the air.
rector of Langdon Manor Farm, near Brooks added: “With a this time of year.” In a statement, the RAF said: “We
Faversham, Kent, said the weather dur- few extra tonnes of straw- This week, British have been notified of a technical issue An RAF source said that the problem
ing the spring through to the heatwave berries being available we Berry Growers, the in- which may affect the safe operation of was identified during a “routine inspec-
had provided perfect growing condi- are thankful for Tesco’s dustry body that rep- our ejector seats in Typhoon and RAF tion”. The ejector seats are supplied by
tions. support at this time. It al- resents 95 per cent of Red Arrows aircraft. We have paused Martin-Baker, a British manufacturer.
lows us to minimise the UK’s soft fruit non-essential flying as a temporary
He said: “Following a mild, settled wastage and get more of growers, said that 65 safety precaution until the situation is It was unclear whether the Red Ar-
spring, we have experienced prolonged the very best, high-quality per cent more rasp- better understood.” Defence sources rows, flying Hawk jets, would be able to
sunshine, extra daylight and very little and nutritious Driscoll’s berries would be on super- said that the Typhoons would continue perform at their scheduled displays this
rain in the last few weeks. This has re- Zara strawberries packed, market shelves compared weekend.
sulted in an abundance of healthy, per- picked and distributed to stores
fectly ripe, extra-sweet strawberries. ready for consumers to enjoy.” with the same period last year.

4 Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

News Quintagram® No 1375

TIMES PHOTOGRAPHER JAMES GLOSSOP Solve all five clues using each
letter underneath once only
Pampered pooch This old English sheepdog is one of more than 160 Kennel Club breeds taking part in the Leeds Championship Dog Show at Harewood House
1 Air disturbance due to heat (4)
Backlog of visas leaves interpreter’s
baby son stranded in Afghanistan ----

Larisa Brown Defence Editor Behind the story 2 Entirely erased (5)

An Afghan former interpreter and his British troops served in Helmand — qualifying criteria was so because of death threats. -----
wife who were given sanctuary in relied on the scene of some of the stringent that two years This time it was more
Britain have been separated from their hundreds of fiercest fighting — for at later only two of them successful, but when 3 Light speedy watercraft (3,3)
two-year-old son for more than six Afghan least a year. had been let in. western troops withdrew
months because of delays to his visa. interpreters from the country entirely ------
when they were stationed A second scheme In a further injustice, in August last year,
Sajid Naeemi, 29, said he had been in the country, some of allowed them to come if it also emerged that many interpreters and 4 Driver’s storage unit (5,3)
left devastated and that his wife, Mena, whom were killed while they could prove they interpreters who had not their families were still
25, cried “every single day” over the helping them on the front had been “intimidated”, brought their wives and stuck in the country. --------
heartbreaking decision to leave their line in Helmand province but for years the children with them on Dozens were told that
son Yosuf in Afghanistan with his aunt, (Larisa Brown writes). government refused to the same flight to the they were blocked from 5 Oftenness (9)
Mena’s sister, after complications with believe their stories. UK were not allowed to coming as officials cited
Mena’s own application. Many of those who bring them at a later misdemeanours during ---------
survived were targeted by In 2018, Gavin date. This meant that their employment, only
The Ministry of Defence requested the Taliban, who branded Williamson, the defence families were separated for the rules to be relaxed ABCDE E E E
copies of Yosuf’s passport and birth cer- them “infidels” and secretary at the time, for years until the as the threat to their lives
tificate in January, but the couple have “spies” because of their changed the rules to government reversed the increased. Complications E E FGH I I J
heard nothing since as the MoD strug- work with British forces. allow those who had policy. in visa applications and
gles with a vast backlog of cases. Some were killed, while served at least a year as confusion about which K L NOOPQR
others were shot at, far back as 2006 into the After coming under policies they were
“I am devastated,” Naeemi said. “I threatened or suffered UK, as long as they had more pressure, in potentially eligible for S T U VWX Y Z
feel like I am being betrayed by the attacks on their families. been made redundant. He September 2020 Ben also led to delays.
MoD and the government as a whole. admitted at the time that Wallace, the defence Solutions see page 79
My wife is feeling the same. She is cry- As combat forces the existing policy had secretary, and Priti Patel, Many interpreters have Cryptic clues see Review page 53
ing when she sees him over the phone.” pulled out of Helmand in “failed to take account of the home secretary, said since been allowed to the
2014, some interpreters the immense sacrifice that they would change UK, but there are still ‘Organ harvesting plot’
Thousands of applications for sanc- were allowed to come to and service of many who the rules again. This some stuck in Afghanistan
tuary have been submitted by Afghans Britain. They had to have had left before that time”. time interpreters were and in third countries A man has been charged over
who worked with British forces or the been working for the The rule change was allowed in if they had with their families allegedly plotting with a Nigerian
government during the war. The MoD British on an arbitrary meant to help about fifty resigned, a policy that waiting for a decision politician to harvest a man’s
is struggling to process them all. date in December 2012. interpreters to come to took into account those on their applications. kidney. Obinna Obeta, 50, from
They also had to have the UK, but the interpreters who quit Southwark, south London, faces a
The government’s policy towards charge under the Modern Slavery
Afghan interpreters has changed over Sajid Naeemi and his wife in 2016 after spending two years on the est brother was shot dead in what the Act for allegedly arranging the
the years as ministers have come under Mena had to leave Yosuf, their front line in Helmand. He moved to family believe was a revenge attack. man’s travel between last August
pressure to allow in more of those who son, left, back in Afghanistan Oldham with his wife at the time and and May. Ike Ekweremadu, 60,
served with UK troops. At first the gov- started a job with Amazon. They later In October, two years after Naeemi and his wife Beatrice Nwanneka
ernment let in only those divorced and in 2019 he married Mena applied for Mena, she was granted a Ekweremadu, 55, both deny
who had worked for a on a visit to Afghanistan. visa by the Home Office. Hoping they conspiracy to arrange the travel
particular period in could apply for a separate visa for Yosuf, of another person with a view to
Helmand prov- Naeemi applied for Mena and, as Mena, pregnant with their second exploitation. All three will appear
ince, but slowly they waited, Yosuf was born. Solicitors child, Aqsa, who is now four months at the Old Bailey next month.
requirements told Naeemi that if he restarted Mena’s old, boarded a flight in November.
were relaxed. application it would be rejected on the Third appeal for Archie
basis that he did not have the money to The MoD stated: “We are investing in
Interpreters support her and Yosuf. When British a new casework system which will en- The parents of Archie Battersbee
could bring troops withdrew last August, Mena was able swifter processing and improved have mounted a third legal appeal
their wives on- told she did not have the right papers t communications with applicants, and against a ruling that doctors can
ly if they trav- fly to the UK. Days later Naeemi’s old- we are putting more resource into pro- stop treating him. Archie, 12, is
elled together cessing applications.” said to be “brain-stem dead” after
on the same date, an accident with a ligature at his
another policy that home. Lawyers for Hollie Dance
later changed. and Paul Battersbee, of Southend,
Essex, told the Court of Appeal
Naeemi came to the UK that the case should be sent back
to the High Court for review.

Gardeners’ happy place

Gardening can lift your mood
even if you are a novice and have
no mental health problems, new
research has revealed. Charles
Guy, who lead the study at the
University of Florida, said: “This
shows promise for plants in
healthcare and in public health.
The reason might be found in the
important role of plants in
human evolution.”

Historic bridge unsafe

A historic footbridge close to
Birkhall, the Prince of Wales’s
home in Aberdeenshire, has been
shut over safety worries. In 2019
the prince backed efforts to
restore the cast-iron Cambus
O’May suspension bridge after it
was damaged by Storm Frank
four years earlier. It reopened last
year but the local authorities say
that further work is needed.

Spray stops overdoses

A nasal spray that can limit the
impact of a drug overdose before
paramedics arrive is being tested
by police officers in Bedfordshire.
Naloxone starts to displace opioid
drug molecules from receptors in
the brain and body within two to
five minutes. The force said that
it can block the effects of opioids
for up to 40 minutes, until an
ambulance arrives.

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 2GM 5

French blamed News

GARETH FULLER;/PA; LEE THOMAS; MARCIN NOWAK/LNP

for six-hour

queues to cross

to Continent

David Brown, Charles Bremner Paris 14. Instead the couple from Maiden- Long queues at Dover were said to have been caused by half the French border
head, Berkshire, spent yesterday morn- posts being closed at the start of the summer getaway. It was little better at
Emma Yeoman ing crawling with thousands of other Bristol airport, with cancelled flights, and King’s Cross station was heaving
holidaymakers in queues of traffic to-
France has been told to properly staff its wards the ferry port at Dover. Hudson,
immigration checkpoints at Dover or a GP, said: “We left at 4am and
risk a summer of the six-hour queues should’ve got here for 6.15am but we’ve
endured by holidaymakers yesterday. been queuing for over four hours now.
We’ve already missed two ferries.”
Families missed ferry crossings after
half of French border posts were closed Once they reached Calais the family
at the start of one of the busiest days of faced an 11-drive to their hotel in Ver-
the year as summer holidays began. don Gorge in southeastern France.

The Dover chief executive, Doug Artur Majchrzyk and his wife Sylwia
Bannister, said the port declared a waited more than five hours and were
“critical incident” with the problems still waiting to board a ferry. The couple
“escalated to the highest level” in gov- and their children Nicola, 15, and Anto-
ernment. “We’ve been badly let down nio, seven, still face a long journey
this morning by the French border,” he when they have crossed the Channel as
said. Bannister told Times Radio that they are driving to a small town near
the new border booths installed for the Alicante in Spain.
holidays and some of the existing facili-
ties were not manned overnight. “We Majchrzyk, from Felixstowe, Suffolk,
had less than half the resources that we said: “We left at one in the morning and
had requested to be able to keep on top we’ve been stuck here since 7.30am. It’s
of it,” he added. a long time — we all need a wee.” He
believes the French authorities are
P&O Ferries warned passengers to “punishing” Britons for voting to leave
allow at least six hours to clear all secur- the EU. “I think they’re making our
ity checks, while the Dover authorities lives hell because of Brexit,” he said.
told families to bring food and water. “They’re punishing us all the time.
We’ve never had any trouble with the
Natalie Elphicke, Tory MP for Dover, British authorities but there’s always
claimed that French border officials problems with the French. The level of
“didn’t turn up for work” despite weeks traffic today is dangerous — it’s going to
of preparations. “This has caused mas- cause accidents.”
sive delays. It’s vital that the French
passport controls are fully staffed dur- Dover said it increased the number of
ing this peak holiday period,” she said. border control booths by 50 per cent
“Only six of the 12 booths for passport and shared traffic volume forecasts “in
checks were open.” granular details” with the French
authorities.
The port, which handles 13 million
passengers and 2.5 million freight vehi- France rejected responsibility for the
cles a year, said: “We urge French long delays and suggested its officials
colleagues to adequately resource the were unable to reach Dover because of
border, not just to relieve the current problems with the Channel Tunnel.
situation, but for the rest of the week- Holidaymakers using the car shuttle
end and indeed the rest of the summer service at Folkestone suffered five-
to keep our community clear, to get hour delays. Privately, French officials
families on their holidays and to keep blame Britain’s Brexit decision for the
essential trade moving.” slowdown in processing flows through
the Channel ports and bristle at claims
Sarah Hudson and her husband Alan that they may be withholding co-oper-
were meant to be on the autoroute ation or doing only the minimum.
through the French countryside with
their two excited children, aged 11 and

Best value holiday destinations revealed Heathrow strike averted as
BA staff accept new offer
Simon Cable What the hotspots cost pany Tui, compared costs in 16 Euro-
pean destinations and found prices had British Airways staff have accepted a than 500 members of Unite who
There has not been much good news for The price of 12 holiday expenses risen in three quarters of them since the new pay offer and called off a planned initially voted in favour of industrial
holidaymakers this year but at least such as suncream, buckets and pre-lockdown summer of 2019. strike at Heathrow airport, two unions action over a pay dispute with British
those heading to Bulgaria and Turkey spades and ice creams: said yesterday. Airways also accepted a new pay offer.
have something to smile about. Costs for the items at the two destina- Unite said the offer was worth a 13 per
Sunny Beach, Bulgaria ............... £85.63 tions were more than 20 per cent lower The move has averted a further cent pay rise for staff, which would be
Popular resorts in both countries Marmaris, Turkey ......................... £86.07 than in the cheapest eurozone resort, escalation in the disruption suffered at paid in several stages.
have just been named as Europe’s best- the Algarve in Portugal, which came in airports this summer.
value destinations for British families. Algarve, Portugal ................... £108.47 at £108. Funchal in Madeira was next Unite said this month that it
Funchal, Madeira .................. £125.23 cheapest at £125, followed by the Costa This month hundreds of British welcomed the fact that “BA has finally
The cost of 12 holiday expenses Costa del Sol, Spain ............. £127.33 del Sol in Spain at £127 and Corfu in Airways’ mainly check-in staff at listened to the voice of its check-in staff.
such as suncream, buckets and spa- Corfu, Greece ......................... £133.78 Greece at £133. After Ibiza, Puglia in Heathrow suspended strike action after Unite has repeatedly warned that pay
des and ice creams at Sunny Beach in Mallorca, Italy was estimated to be the second the airline agreed to improve its pay disputes at BA were inevitable unless
Bulgaria and Marmaris in Turkey Balearic Isles ..................... £138.81 worst-value European destination, offer. Staff represented by the GMB and the company took our members’ legiti-
were estimated at a wallet-friendly Kos, Greece ................... £140.28 according to the report, at about £185. Unite unions voted to approve their mate grievances seriously.”
£86, according to the Post Office Rhodes, Greece ........... £143.00 respective pay offers from BA.
Travel Money’s annual Family Lanzarote, It found that almost 60 per cent of BA welcomed the announcements
Holiday Report. Canary Isles ..................... £143.41 families were planning trips abroad this “No one wanted a summer strike at from the unions, saying it was happy
Paphos, Cyprus ............ £144.57 year but more than three quarters of Heathrow, but our members had to with the “positive news”.
It is, however, a different story Porec, Croatia ................ £154.75 them exceeded their budget by almost fight for what was right,” Nadine
for those heading to Ibiza, where Sliema, Malta ................. £156.27 38 per cent on their last holiday, spend- Houghton, national officer for the Any strike at Heathrow could have
the items, which also included a Crete, Greece ................. £161.86 ing £243 extra on an average budget of GMB union, said. further pressured an aviation industry
family meal, drink, insect repel- Puglia, Italy ...................... £185.81 £644. Nick Boden, head of Post Office struggling with staff shortages that
lent, pedalo rides and lilos, were Ibiza, Balearic Isles ..... £186.47 Travel Money, said: “We found big price The GMB said workers would now have resulted in cancelled flights amid
found to be the most expensive variations in the 16 destinations. This receive a consolidated pay rise of 8 per increased demand from travellers after
at more than £186. makes it doubly important for holiday- cent, a one-off bonus and the reinstate- the Covid-19 pandemic.
makers to do their homework.” ment of shift pay. In addition, more
The report’s Beach Barometer,
produced with the travel com-

6 Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

NNeewwss Politics

‘Business as usual won’t cut it. I’ll

Rishi Sunak homes in flation become embedded at an “enor- hit £3,200 in October. Sunak indicates
mous” cost for millions of families. that he is prepared to offer more. “I’m
on inflation, education “What I worry about is the inflation pragmatic, I’m flexible, no one should
we’re seeing now becoming entrenched be dogmatic about this.”
and the NHS in a battle for longer. That’s the risk we need to
guard against. If that happens, it will be He says that he wants to see hun-
for the Tory party’s soul, incredibly damaging for millions across dreds of millions of pounds currently
the UK. The cost for families is going to focused on measures such as heat
writes Steven Swinford be enormous.” pumps and decarbonising public-
sector buildings refocused on an insula-
Is Rishi Sunak too nice to be prime min- He suggests that under Truss’s plans tion programme for those on low in-
ister? Before the Tory leadership con- interest rates in the UK — presently at comes. “If we can refocus that money to
test there were questions over whether 1.25 per cent — could rise significantly. do these types of interventions, which
the hoodie-wearing, California-loving are quicker and cheaper, that seems like
former chancellor had the killer in- “Imagine what that’s going to do to a sensible thing for us to be focusing
stinct for the top job. people’s mortgage rates,” he says. “If we on,” he says.
get this wrong interest rates [will] have
The past three weeks have changed to go up even more because of a govern- Sunak supports the target to cut
those perceptions. His resignation ment that borrowed too much and carbon emissions to net zero by 2050
helped trigger the end of Boris John- made the situation worse.” and believes the target can be met by
son’s premiership, leading to the most advances in technology, citing the fall-
vitriolic leadership campaign in His position, he says, is based on trad- ing cost of offshore wind and batteries.
decades. itional conservative values shaped by “With the right set of incentives, the
his family’s pharmacy business. right set of nudges from government,
After initial criticism for pursuing a we will bring the cost of those things
“safety-first” approach, Sunak came “I was brought up in a home with kit- down. That’s how we’re going to solve
out swinging, taking on his rivals direct- chen-table conservative values, my the problem.”
ly during the two televised debates with mum ran a small business, Margaret
an unexpected level of ferocity. Thatcher talked about family budget,” On the NHS, Sunak says he wants
he says. “All of us care about what we greater value for money for taxpayers.
“I’ve spent my life having to be tough leave our children and our grandchil- He today sets out a plan that attempts
to get results,” Sunak says. dren. Sound money is the most con- to reduce backlogs and stop “privatisa-
servative of conservative values. If we tion by the back door”.
“Everyone is focused on me now and don’t stand for that, I don’t know what
where I am. I’m in the position I am pro- the point of the Conservative Party is.” It is something deeply personal to
fessionally because I’ve been able to be him. His grandfather has been in hospi-
tough in my career.” The former chancellor has said that tal for the past 2½ weeks.
he will cut personal taxes further only
Sunak nearly quit in April after the when inflation has been gripped. While He says: “This is personal for all of us,
scandal over his wife’s tax affairs domi- the tax burden has risen to the highest the backlog issue. He literally has just
nated the headlines for days. The expe- level since the 1950s during his time in come out and he’s very sick. We’ve been
rience, he says, has made him stronger. extremely worried as a family about
UK inflation everything over the last few weeks, he’s
“That was a tough period,” he says. my last remaining grandparent. It will
“But what people should take away Consumer price index (CPI) % be unacceptable if millions and millions
from that is that I’m now sitting here 9.4% 10 of people are waiting too long for the
talking to you, running to be prime 9 treatments they deserve.”
minister of our country after having en- 2% Bank of 8
dured that. I’ve got the resilience to deal England target 7 Sunak confirms he will announce his
with some pretty tough stuff when it’s 6 own plans to tackle illegal migration
thrown at me, and I’ve got the energy 2021 2022 5 next week. He says people do not feel
and fight to keep going because I really Jan Apr 4 that Britain has control of its borders: “I
believe in this.” Jul Oct 3 don’t think people feel that we do [have
2 control] when they see the pictures on
Sunak’s battle for the final two has Source: ONS 1 their screens [of migrants arriving on
turned into a genuine ideological clash 0 beaches]. I think it’s absolutely impera-
for the soul of the Conservative Party tive we have control of our borders.”
with Liz Truss, the foreign secretary. office, Sunak defends his record as Rishi Sunak will become the first the his proudest career moments. On
The cornerstone of his pitch is fiscal re- chancellor by highlighting the increase He says that he supports the Rwanda Hindu prime minister if he wins the his faith, he says: “It gives me strength,
sponsibility and dealing with the threat in the income tax threshold and plans policy and pledges to make it work after Tory leadership. He says his faith it gives me purpose. It’s part of who I
of runaway inflation. to take a penny off income tax in 2024. a series of legal setbacks. “We can’t shy gives him “strength and purpose” am. It was one of my proudest moments
away from tackling the legal challenges that I was able to do that on the steps of
Truss is offering Tory members more Will he make further commitments head on because Rwanda is the right “I’m the one telling the truth about the Downing Street. And it meant a lot to a
than £30 billion worth of tax cuts in an to cut income tax during this campaign, idea,” he says. “We need to make sure it economic challenges we face, the one lot of people and it’s an amazing thing
effort to get the economy growing. For as some of his allies want him to? The works properly. I’m not going to be shy saying that there aren’t always easy an- about our country.”
once, Sunak finds himself in the posi- answer is no. “I think I’ve set out my about robustly making sure we over- swers to these things.”
tion of underdog as he lags behind in stall pretty clearly,” he says. come them.” He suggests that he will be
the polls. able to have a more “constructive” rela- If Sunak wins, he will be the first
Truss allies say Sunak’s approach is tionship than Johnson with President Asian — and Hindu — prime minister.
His strategy — set out for the first reminiscent of “project fear”, the tactic Macron of France to help tackle illegal He ranks lighting ceremonial diyas on
time in an interview with The Times — said to have been deployed by David migration. “All I can tell you is my rela- the steps of Downing Street as one of
is to argue that the government he was Cameron and George Osborne during tionship that I have with my counter-
part of fewer than three weeks ago is the EU referendum campaign. parts everywhere has been very strong.”
not doing enough.
Sunak, who voted for Brexit, rejects Sunak has committed to increasing
Over the next week, Sunak will claim the claim. “Anyone who doesn’t take defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP
that Britain is facing a national emer- really seriously the fact that inflation is by 2030 but has been outbid by Truss,
gency on five fronts including the eco- running at the level it is is being hugely who has pledged to increase it to 3 per
nomy, the NHS and migration. His complacent about the challenge that is cent. Is he willing to go further? His re-
window to appeal to Tory members is facing this country,” he says. “That’s not sponse is noncommittal. “I’ll invest
brief, with ballots landing on doorsteps project fear, that’s being honest with whatever it takes to keep our country
within the next fortnight. the country about what is happening safe,” he says.
and being responsible in saying this is a
“Having been inside government I pressing priority that the government Sunak does not hide his own back-
think the system just isn’t working as needs to help resolve and not make ground and the fact he attended
well as it should,” he says. “And the worse. Ignoring that problem is irre- Winchester College, one of Britain’s
challenges that I’m talking about, sponsible, that’s not leadership. This is most expensive private schools, saying
they’re not abstract, they’re not things not theoretical. Inflation is already run- he is “proud” of Winchester and the
that are coming long down the track. ning close to double digits in this coun- sector. “Education is how you change
try. That is a clear and present danger people’s lives,” he says. “I don’t think
“They’re challenges that are staring we are already experiencing.” there are silver bullets in social policy.
us in the face and a business-as-usual But the closest thing we have to a silver
mentality isn’t going to cut it in dealing One of the immediate issues facing bullet is providing a transformative
with them. whoever wins the contest will be energy education for people. Education helped
bills. In the spring Sunak announced a change my life, and as prime minister I
“So from day one of being in office £21 billion package of support offering want to make sure as many people as
I’m going to put us on a crisis footing.” people about £1,000 to help with energy possible have the opportunity of a
bills. That package, however, was based transformative education.”
Inflation, he says, is the “number one on the assumption that the energy price
challenge we face”. Truss has said that cap would rise to £2,800. It is forecast to Sunak’s biggest challenge during the
she expects inflation, which stands at leadership campaign will be the issue of
9.4 per cent, to begin to fall by early next trust. Allies of Truss accuse him of be-
year. Sunak does not agree. traying Johnson, and four in ten Tory
members believe that he cannot be
“Every forecast about inflation over trusted to tell the truth. Sunak believes
the past year has been wrong,” he says. his candour will overcome concerns.
“Inflation has been consistently higher
than people thought and has lasted
longer. We absolutely cannot be and
should not be complacent about it.”

Truss’s plans, he suggests, will see in-

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 7

NNeewwss

put government on crisis footing’
LUCY YOUNG FOR THE TIMES
Sunak promises health
Rishi Sunak targets to cut wait times

Curriculum vitae Chris Smyth Whitehall Editor lar to a backlogs recovery plan pub- the NHS more firmly to account. He
lished by NHS England in February but will argue that “Britain’s heroic re-
Born 1980 Educated Winchester Eleanor Hayward with tougher targets. At the time the sponse to Covid proves that where the
College, a first in PPE from Lincoln Treasury delayed publication of the political will exists . . . we can bring
College, Oxford, MBA at Stanford Health Correspondent plan in an attempt to demand the NHS everyone together and win the battle”.
where he was a Fulbright scholar. deliver more but health chiefs said the
Waiting for treatment on the NHS is proposal was unrealistic. Miriam Deakin, a director at the hos-
Career Spent three years at forcing people to go private “with a pitals’ group NHS Providers, said there
Goldman Sachs after graduating in gun to their head”, Rishi Sunak has Sunak now wants waiting lists to stop was “a growing mismatch between
2001. Met his wife while studying for acknowledged rising next year. Under current plans capacity and demand, workforce short-
an MBA in California in 2005. Upon they will continue to increase until ages, a funding squeeze and a need to
his return to London he worked for The former chancellor is promising March 2024. He wants one-year waits reform social care”.
the hedge fund TCI, before setting an emergency package of tough targets eliminated by September 2024, six
up his own fund, Theleme Partners, for the health service, claiming that months earlier than existing plans. She told Sunak: “Growing financial
with $700 million in starter cash in long delays amounted to “privatisation pressures mean the NHS is already
2009. Elected to William Hague’s old by the back door”. Sunak said the NHS He wants patients who have waited severely stretched and being forced to
Yorkshire seat of Richmond in 2015 would “break” without radical change. more than 18 weeks to be contacted by confront difficult choices.”
and campaigned to leave the EU in the NHS, rather than current plans to
the 2016 referendum. Appointed to The comments raised eyebrows in offer treatment elsewhere to those New data shows patients paid for
a junior ministerial role in the the NHS, which repeatedly clashed waiting more than 18 months. 69,045 hospital treatments themselves
Department for Housing by Theresa with Sunak while he was chancellor. in the three months between October
May in 2018, before promotion by He plans to be more ambitious in ex- and December last year, a 39 per cent
Boris Johnson to chief secretary to He told the service to cover the cost panding diagnostic hubs, with 200 by increase on the same period before the
the Treasury. Became chancellor of Covid testing and staff pay rises de- the next election instead of a looser pandemic.
after the resignation of Sajid Javid in spite being warned it would slow ambition of 160. As with current plans,
February 2020, and delivered his progress on waiting lists. he wants the NHS to pay to send The figures from the Private Health-
first budget a month into the job. patients to private hospitals. care Information Network have raised
Oversaw emergency packages of But Sunak argues that a vaccine- concerns that the NHS backlog is
support during the coronavirus programme style “backlogs taskforce” In a speech today to launch his cam- creating a two-tier health system.
pandemic and a £37 billion package with leaders from outside could triage paign to win over Tory members, the
to help with energy bills. Quit as patients and treat them quicker with- contender to become prime minister There were a total of 258,445 self-
chancellor this month after deciding out extra money. He says the state of will say: “Already many people are funded admissions for procedures such
“enough was enough”. the health service should be regarded using money they can’t really afford to as hip and knee replacements last year,
as a national emergency. go private. That is privatisation by the up 29 per cent from 199,675 in 2019.
Family Eldest of three children born back door and it’s wrong. These figures exclude care covered by
in Southampton to East African The pledge comes as figures show private medical insurance, meaning
immigrants. His father was a GP in tens of thousands of patients facing “People shouldn’t have to make a patients paid thousands of pounds.
the NHS and his mother was a record waiting lists are “opting out” of choice with a gun to their head. If we do
pharmacist. He is married to the NHS and paying for private care. not immediately set in train a radically Jonathon Holmes, policy adviser at
Akshata Murty, daughter of a different approach the NHS will come the King’s Fund think tank, said: “If the
billionaire businessman, and has About 6.6 million people are on wait- under unsustainable pressure and NHS were providing the immediacy of
two daughters. ing lists for routine care, ambulances break.” services that people need, I am quite
are taking an hour to get to heart attack sure they would select the NHS rather
Quickfire patients while soaring numbers of Sunak was among senior ministers than spend their own resources. People
people are waiting 12 hours or more in said to be frustrated that Sajid Javid, the are opting out of the NHS, not opting
Boris Johnson or Liz Truss? Liz Accident and Emergency units. former health secretary, failed to hold into the private sector.”
Truss. We need to look forward now.
Sunak’s plans to tackle “the biggest
Green card or blue passport? Blue public health emergency” appear simi-
passport. Mine’s on its way actually.
Farmers respect MP who mucks in
Hoodie or suit? Hoodie.
Tom Ball Northern Correspondent Rishi Sunak milks a
Prada shoes or trainers? Trainers. cow at a farm in
My casual trainers are Adidas, my On a Friday afternoon in late May, Wensleydale, North
gym trainers are Nike. Rishi Sunak arrived at Wensleydale Yorkshire. Local
rugby club in his constituency of Tories say the
Jay-Z or Kings of Leon? Jay-Z. Richmond in North Yorkshire to speak former chancellor
to local farmers. took a keen interest
Sunak says that he misses his family will be someone who is incredibly sup- 60, said. “He wasn’t local and there were in rural affairs when
during the campaign and is trying to portive of families. Families are amaz- Inflation rates were reaching almost one or two people saying ‘Who is this he became the MP
keep up with them on FaceTime. ing, families do something that no gov- 8 per cent and the Tories had suffered guy? The party has just fobbed us off for Richmond
“Family is core to who I am. I miss them ernment can ever hope to replicate. . . heavy losses in the local elections, yet with him.’ ”
a lot right, they are in Yorkshire and I As prime minister I would absolutely the chancellor spent several hours at food and rural affairs select committee.
am here. We’re on video every day. It’s champion families.” the club listening to the concerns of However, Sunak, 42, who was elected “He asked lots of questions and when I
not the same but they’re used to that. As farmers struggling to cope with labour to parliament in May 2015 with a mentioned to him a point about subsi-
prime minister, you can expect that I To win this fight, Sunak must make it shortages and the rising price of animal majority of 27,000, set about immersing dies given to Belgian farmers, he asked
feed. himself in local issues. his aide to note it down.
personal, Matthew Parris, page 25
“He listened to everyone carefully The constituency, which stands on “The next day, he phoned me up and
and responded very well to them,” the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, retains said he had read up about it and would
Ian Carlisle, a dairy farmer who was at its strong agricultural heritage. As a take it forward to the department for
the meeting, said. “He would have had measure of the number of individual agriculture. I was impressed by that.”
a lot on at that time. But the fact he businesses, farming is the biggest sector
came and spoke to us — people respect of the local economy. And so, shortly Matthew Bell, 86, whose farm near
that.” after becoming an MP, Sunak visited Askrigg Sunak also visited that day, was
Carlisle’s 1,000-acre farm in Finghall, similarly impressed. “He seemed all
Respect among his constituents was along with two others nearby, where he right and he didn’t mind getting stuck in
not something that came automatically arrived at the break of dawn to spend with the milking,” he said.
to the man now running to be prime the day milking cows.
minister. When Sunak was selected in Sunak’s attentiveness to local matters
2014 as the Conservative candidate to “He didn’t know a damn thing about has been rewarded. In 2017 and in 2019,
represent Richmond, a constituency of farming, but he was willing to get his he extended his majority to 36,000.
farmland, villages and market towns, hands dirty,” Carlisle recalled. Sunak
there were more than a few eyebrows was then a member of the environment, “My father used to say that you could
raised. put a blue rosette on a sheep up here
and it would win,” Carlisle said, “but I
Here — seeking to replace William think he is genuinely liked by a lot of
Hague, a Yorkshireman who had people who recognise the work that he
served as MP for 26 years — was a man does for us.”
who had been born in Southampton,
had been educated at Winchester
College, an illustrious public school,
and had spent most of his working life
at a bank in London.

“No one knew who he was,” Carlisle,

8 Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

NNeewwss Politics

Truss mentor says
tax cuts could push
interest rates to 7%

Chris Smyth Whitehall Editor use Brexit to achieve what she promises because it costs them nothing to bor-
will be “the biggest change to economic row. It’s right that a healthy economy
Interest rates will have to rise as high as policy for 30 years”. Minford has been should have a decent interest rate.
7 per cent to allow tax cuts, according to offering advice to her campaign and That’s certainly one thing I want to see.”
Liz Truss’s economic guru. said that he is “pleased that she has un-
derstood the argument and is prepared Interest rates stand at 1.25 per cent at
Professor Patrick Minford said that to make a completely fresh start”. He present and while the Bank of England
despite fears over mortgages, higher argued “the key to growth is not having is likely to raise them by 0.5 points next
interest rates were “a good thing” high taxes. We’re not talking about cut- month, there is nervousness that
because they protected savings and ting them, we’re just talking about not increasing them too much could cause a
killed off “zombie companies” that were putting them up to catastrophic level.” recession. Minford argued that cutting
holding the economy back. taxes would reduce this risk and “make
Truss is promising to reverse the rise it safe” for the bank to raise rates higher.
Truss cited Minford as one of the few in national insurance and scrap plans to “There is an impact on demand [from
economists who agreed with her as she raise corporation tax as part of a pack- tax cuts] which is desirable as it supports
attacked 20 years of “economic ortho- age costing more than £30 billion. the economy and it allows monetary
doxy” this week and insisted that cut- policy to do its battering with a clean
ting taxes was not only affordable but “If we raise corporation tax we’ll kill conscience,” he said. “Hopefully out of
essential to avoid a recession. off growth,” Minford said, dismissing this we’ll get to a more healthy economy
concerns about borrowing. “It’s crazy to with interest running at 3, 5, 7 per cent,”
Minford, of Cardiff University, came try to begin getting the debt-to-GDP ra- he said, adding that “3 [per cent] as the
to prominence as an adviser to Marga- tio down five minutes after Covid. Bor- new normal wouldn’t be too bad”.
ret Thatcher and has long argued that rowing is actually something that al-
tax cuts are the way to encourage the in- lows you to pursue the right policies and Minford cited EU limits on working
novation that produces growth. He is a not be blown off course by temporary hours, union powers and employee con-
leading advocate of “supply-side” re- shocks. Borrowing allows you to keep sultation rights as rules that Truss
form that would sweep away regulation taxes constant even if you’re not fund- should scrap to boost growth, saying:
and other barriers to business. ing it on annual basis . . . What matters is “One of things Boris Johnson refused to
that you’re solvent in the long run.” touch was the labour market and that
Though Minford has been in contact makes no sense at all.” However, he said
with her campaign, Truss’s team say he Sunak has been “captured” by an that, unlike in the 1980s, environmental
is not a formal adviser and insist she “incredibly stale” Treasury, Minford and medical regulation were now the
would not allow interest rates to rise to believes, and that in prioritising busi- rules that needed to be relaxed after
anything like 7 per cent through plans ness investment has “got the causality Brexit to boost growth. He wants to re-
for a “more directive” mandate to the completely wrong”. verse the EU’s “highly risk-averse ap-
Bank of England. proach” and shift to a system where in-
However, Minford does not entirely stead of banning things in case they
But in an interview with The Times, dismiss Sunak’s warning that cutting cause harm, people are compensated
Minford says he is “pleased that she has taxes will fuel inflation and push up afterwards if they do. “Our common-
understood the argument and is pre- mortgage rates. “Yes, interest rates have law system already gives people rights
pared to make a completely fresh start”. to go up and it’s a good thing,” Minford and remedies and we don’t need a lot of
said. “A normal level is more like 5-7 per ‘you can’t do this and that’,” he said.
He argued that labour market cent and I don’t think it will be any bad
regulation was “ripe for thinning out” as thing if we got back to that level.” A Truss campaign source said:
he criticised Rishi Sunak’s “puerile” “Patrick Minford has no formal involve-
economics and accused the former Sunak’s team seized on the com- ment in Liz’s campaign. Liz’s absolutely
chancellor, who campaigned to leave ments, saying interest rates at 7 per cent priority is tackling the cost of living and
the European Union, of being a sup- would add £585 a month to the average getting our economy growing faster. We
porter of Brexit “in name only” in his mortgage, leaving homeowners £6,600 can’t have business-as-usual economic
unwillingness to challenge the Trea- a year worse off even after her tax cuts. policy.”
sury. “Getting rid of a lot of regulations
will upset a lot of pressure groups. But it Minford acknowledged that more Public has right to know about changes
all really starts in Whitehall and the first expensive mortgages were “part of the
thing [Truss] has got to do is get adjustment” but argued: “If you’ve got of mind, leading article, page 29
Treasury into line,” Minford said. incredibly low interest rates you kill off
savings and create febrile markets with The political heir to Margaret Thatcher,
Truss has committed herself to “bull- a lot of zombie companies surviving
dozing” through supply-side reform to letters, page 28

Champion develop rational for his stance against Brexit — Vote Leave Insults fly as allies clash
of sweeping expectations theory, lowering taxes now. privately acknowledged it
away rules which underpins the could find almost no George Grylls Political Reporter true political heir of the longest-serving
Thatcherite idea that Today Minford argues other economists who prime minister of the last century.
Profile markets can be relied the opposite: that taxes agreed that it would be Rishi Sunak would be more popular if
upon to allocate can safely be cut without good for the economy. he promised unfunded tax cuts, an ally Sunak has said that his plan to reduce
If many of Professor resources efficiently. worrying about of the former chancellor has said in a borrowing to tackle inflation is
Patrick Minford’s borrowing or inflation. His predictions swipe at Liz Truss amid escalating moulded on Thatcher’s economic
academic peers He came to political He insists the situation included that a hard attacks between the rival camps on policy from the 1980s, in particular her
regard him as an attention when 364 has been transformed by Brexit would boost the economic policy. budget of 1981, when she raised taxes at
eccentric outlier, he economists attacked an independent Bank of economy by £135 billion, a time when Britain was suffering from
thinks they embody an Margaret Thatcher’s England with the ability and an estimate that the Robert Halfon, a senior backbencher, a deep recession.
orthodoxy that has failed decision to raise taxes in to raise interest rates to recent Australia trade accused Truss of making wild promises
to produce growth for 1981 to tackle inflation, tame inflation. In 1981 deal would increase GDP during the leadership contest and sug- Redwood said that the opposite was
almost 20 years (Chris warning it would “deepen “the government printed by £69 billion, 37 times gested that she would be unable to fulfil the case and Sunak’s pitch to raise tax
Smyth writes). the depression” and money and presided over the government’s her pledges if she made it to No 10. was more akin to the approach of New
threaten social stability. a disastrous situation Labour after the financial crisis in 2008.
Now 79, he was Minford was one of very where inflation was estimate. His Allies of Truss hit back, however, and Sunak’s allies expect him to lay out a
educated at Winchester, few economists who hit close to 20 per cent. argument, boiled dismissed Sunak as little more than a path to future tax cuts once inflation is
Oxford and the London back, accusing the critics So the task was to down, is that any “Gordon Brown tribute act”. brought under control.
School of Economics, of playing “a dangerous convince the border bureaucracy
worked briefly for the and dishonest game”. He markets of the John Redwood, the Conservative MP “Rishi Sunak says he wants to
Treasury then pursued an wrote in The Times: “To credibility of imposed by for Wokingham, said the former become a Thatcherite. In office he was
academic career at the carry out this reversal of government having left the chancellor had pursued “boom-bust a Gordon Brown tribute act,” Redwood
University of Liverpool, inflationary process . . . policy,” he EU would be policies based on wrong forecasts” said. “When someone says something
where he helped to political courage and said. In 2016 when he was in the Treasury and he and does the opposite, I judge them by
determination of a high Minford, far outweighed accused Sunak of peddling Project Fear what they do. When Rishi says he wants
order are necessary.” right, gained by freedom to — a reference to the campaign to tax cuts I see he introduced a social care
renewed sweep away remain in the European Union during tax, a digital tax, a windfall tax, raised
Rishi Sunak has taken prominence regulation. the referendum in 2016. company tax [and] broke our
to citing Thatcher’s arguing for If we believe manifesto pledge on national
decision as justification Truss, she is Redwood, who was director of insurance. He is Mr high tax.”
about to put the Margaret Thatcher’s policy unit in
theory to the test. No 10, disputed Sunak’s claim to be the Halfon, the MP for Harlow and

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 9

ALAMY; DAVID HARTLEY NNeewwss

Tory transformation that
stunned her liberal family

Liz Truss in London yesterday The frontrunner’s Living not far from the Faslane Canada before reading politics,
and at Merton College, Oxford, nuclear submarine base, Truss’s philosophy and economics at Merton
where she read PPE in 1993-96. uncle, a retired vicar, mother took her to marches for the College, Oxford, where she became
The Rev Canon Richard Truss, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament president of the university’s Liberal
her uncle, below, says liberalism hopes she will show in the 1980s and to the peace camp Democrat society.
“must still be in her blood” set up close to the base.
migrants compassion, In 1994 she gave a speech at the
over economic plans Talking to the BBC’s Nick Liberal Democrat conference in
Ben Ellery writes Robinson, she recalled shouting the Brighton where she called for the
chairman of the Commons education deliver the change we need to the anti-Thatcher slogans of the time. abolition of the monarchy.
select committee, defended the tax economy in line with true Conservative The volte-face of Liz Truss from a Speaking in her now Yorkshire
rises and questioned the economic principles. That means cutting taxes to Liberal Democrat, whose radicalism accent, she told Robinson: “It was in Neil Fawcett, a Liberal Democrat
reasoning behind Truss’s pledges to help hard-pressed families deal with once upset Paddy Ashdown, to a Scottish so it was ‘Maggie, Maggie, councillor in Oxfordshire and chief of
reverse the planned rise in corporation the cost of living.” dyed-in-the wool Thatcherite has put Maggie, oot, oot, oot.” staff for the MP Layla Moran, was
tax and to scrap the increase in national her at odds with her family and canvassing with Truss at the
insurance. The total cost of Truss’s tax cuts is closest friends. The family later moved to Leeds, conference.
estimated to be more than £30 billion, where Truss attended Roundhay
He said Truss could not just “wish but the foreign secretary has argued Her uncle, Richard Truss, a retired School, a state secondary, after her He said: “In those days Liz was very
inflation away” and he said that Sunak that a combination of fiscal headroom vicar who lives in Weybridge, Surrey, father got a job in the city. much on the radical side of the
was tackling the cost of living crisis after public sector debt fell at a faster said the family had liberalism “in its Liberal Democrats. As well as the
“responsibly”. pace than predicted, increased borrow- blood” and “it must still be in her This month she faced a backlash abolition of the monarchy, she was
ing and a Whitehall efficiency drive will blood as well”. over comments she made in a calling for the legalisation of
Halfon told Sky News: “Tory cover the costs. television debate in which she cited cannabis.
members know that he’s not making He last saw his niece in March at her experience of “seeing kids at my
promises he can’t keep — if he wanted She also has pointed to the fact that his 80th birthday party and was school being let down in Leeds” as to “Paddy Ashdown, the party leader,
to be popular, he could say anything Britain has a lower debt-to-GDP ratio “touched she had been able to make it why she became a Conservative. was at the conference and it really
and everything about tax cuts. than Japan, the United States, France after returning from working abroad”. upset him because he felt like we were
and Canada as proof that the Treasury Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate, 77, on the brink of a breakthrough and
“You can’t just have unfunded tax can borrow more. He said: “My grandfather lived and who represented Leeds North East, should be courting wavering Tory
cuts because you have to deal with the died quite young but he used to turn including Roundhay, as a voters rather than drawing attention
debt — you have to fund public ser- However, most mainstream up and campaign for the Liberals Conservative MP during the time to these divisive issues.”
vices. If you just have unfunded tax economists argue that tax cuts in the before the First World War, so it’s Truss was a pupil, said she seemed to
cuts, where is that money going to be immediate term could exacerbate the kind of in the genes. have “exaggerated” to “suggest that Seven years later, and by then
for vital public services?” inflationary crisis. [she] is a sort of minority that escaped standing for the Conservatives, she
“I think our family, her father and I, the working class ravages of the told NME magazine that she did not
Truss released a new video yesterday Philip Shaw, chief economist at have always been liberal. I school system”. support the legalisation of cannabis:
in which she again put the economy at Investec, the global banking and call myself liberal, which “I don’t agree with it. Where do you
the front and centre of her campaign to wealth management group, said there can be used as a term of A photograph of Truss at school stop?”
become prime minister. was “little economic justification” to abuse sometimes. I mean
cut taxes now, despite the “obvious the sense of being open Truss, second right, with close friend “She was bloody difficult
“This is the time for boldness,” she temptation”. and concerned for those Anj Handa, left. They went to Roundhay to work with,” Fawcett said.
said. “I am the only person who can who are in need. School, which Truss has since criticised “She always had a very
strong view on everything
“We saw quite a lot of shows her with Anj Handa, 46, who is but she didn’t have the
her when she was small. one of her oldest friends and the experience to back it up. We
One of our children was godmother of her eldest daughter, had to tell her that just
the same age as her. They Frances. because she knew how
lived a long way away, we things worked at Oxford
were down in London, Handa has since worked with Truss University it didn’t mean it
they were up in the in her role as a woman’s advocate to would work elsewhere.
Midlands or later in tackle domestic abuse. “I got the impression that
Scotland, after that she was more concerned with
Yorkshire. The pair often exchange messages grabbing the limelight and
on Twitter and Handa once posted being seen to be radical
“We remember her that “there have been many times I’ve rather than believing in it.
very fondly as a child. disagreed with Liz over politics (and “I wasn’t massively
She was fun and very other stuff besides) over the years”. surprised when she turned up
bright. She had very bright parents as a Tory. I would not be
as well. She’s always been questioning In another post, she wrote “Liz surprised if she made a choice
and determined. Truss is one of my oldest friends. We that she wanted to get on in politics
went to Roundhay School, a comp and jumped horses to do it.
“It’s interesting that her political with kids from all backgrounds “What has surprised me is that she
views are different from the family, it’s #studiedhard”. has got to the level she has, because I
not a problem. never felt that she was particularly
Bernie Haynes is a retired teacher talented.”
“After she went to Oxford, it [her who taught at Roundhay when Truss Until 2005 Truss forged a career as
political conversion] happened. was a pupil. He said her comments an economist, during which time she
were “a kick in the teeth” because the served as the chairwoman of the
“Education was important to the school had an Oxbridge programme Lewisham Deptford Conservative
family. Having been ambitious, I that she would have benefited from. association and became a
think she would have wanted to have Conservative councillor for Eltham
become education secretary when Haynes, 71, said: “The school had South in Greenwich in 2006.
going into politics, I think she some rough edges, like any Truss stood for the Labour-held
would’ve done that very well.” comprehensive, but it had a good staff constituency of Hemsworth in West
and was a good school. Yorkshire in 2001 and impressed
He added: “I find it difficult to see a senior figures by raising the
government which is not what I “In my year I had the children of Conservative vote by 4 per cent.
would consider a Christian MPs and High Court judges, but In 2005 she was selected to fight
government. One hallmark of a there were also the children of armed the Labour seat of nearby Calder
Christian is welcoming a stranger. I robbers. Valley, narrowly losing, before being
think the way immigrants and chosen in 2009 to contest the South
refugees have been treated is “It seems extraordinary to me that West Norfolk seat.
appalling. she is decrying her education while Shortly after her selection, some
being favourite to become prime members of the constituency
“I also think the division between minister.” association objected, saying that her
people in poverty has got worse. It extramarital affair with the
needs healing and I hope she might In 1992 Truss spent a year in Conservative MP Mark Field had
do something on both fronts.” been withheld from members.
After the affair, Field got divorced
Liz Truss’s parents, John Kenneth but Truss stayed with her husband,
and Priscilla Mary, are both, in her Hugh O’Leary, an accountant with
words, “left of the Labour party”. Her whom she has two daughters. In 2019
father was a university maths she posted a photograph of them
professor and her mother worked as a together, captioned “love of my life”.
nurse and volunteered as an anti- Meanwhile, Truss had won the
nuclear campaigner. Norfolk seat and her transformation
to becoming a Conservative was
In an interview with The Times, complete.
Truss revealed that her father had
refused to campaign for her when she
first stood for election.

Born in Oxford in 1975, Truss
moved to Paisley, Renfrewshire, at the
age of four when her father became a
lecturer at the local college.

10 Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

NNeewwss Politics

Sunak’s foes sharpen knives as

Liz Truss’s backers are is very strong in what she believes.” The prudence will be enough to outweigh remain confident that an intricately mother brushed his hair. That was
second focus is on the economy. The Truss’s clear promises of tax cuts. planned grid of announcements will about as lively as the night got. Sunak
lining up to attack her Truss team will target Sunak over his build momentum. He will unveil plans gave a speech “about the real challenges
record as chancellor, with two themes at Some of his leading backers fear that to tackle five national emergencies over facing this country and the dangers of
rival, Steven Swinford, the fore: the fact that the tax burden has he needs to offer Conservative mem- the coming days, starting today with a irresponsible populism”, saying that
risen to the highest level since the 1950s, bers more on policy if he is to have any proposal for a vaccines taskforce-style “controlling inflation was absolutely key
Henry Zeffman and and the huge levels of quantitative hope of overhauling Truss’s polling lead. body to drive down NHS waiting lists. and if we get this right we can win in two
easing carried out on his watch. “He needs to show them much more red years”, an attendee said. He left after one
Chris Smyth write meat,” a Sunak supporter said. “His Sunak is said to relish being an under- course and a glass of water.
Truss believes that Sunak’s attack inherent small-c conservatism is hold- dog, whereas Truss, counted out and
When Boris Johnson gathered his lines about Truss’s “unfunded” £30 bil- ing him back. These contests are all tipped for the sack throughout her eight Truss, meanwhile, was in the grand
cabinet in Downing Street’s rose garden lion package of tax cuts — he has about throwing out policy, being years in the cabinet, is growing used to Commons office provided to the foreign
for a picture to mark the end of his suggested she is a socialist and that her bombastic and being optimistic. The the role of prime ministerial secretary with her two teenage
premiership on Tuesday, the official plans will lead to hyperinflation and boring but correct approach isn’t going frontrunner. daughters and closest advisers when the
photographer was having trouble drive up mortgage rates — will to excite people, sadly”. results came in. She was said to be eu-
getting ministers to smile. ultimately rebound. “He’s running a Their contrasting personalities and phoric after seeing off Penny Mordaunt,
really negative campaign,” a friend said. Another MP said they had urged political positions were reflected in the the trade minister, to become one of the
After the trick of asking them to say “It’s Project Fear meets dirty tricks.” Sunak to “go further” on tax, by making way they celebrated reaching the final final two candidates.
cheese, Guto Harri, the prime minister’s explicit his plans to reduce personal round of the election on Wednesday.
director of communications, tried a Sunak insists, however, that he is taxes and giving a clear timescale for After a photoshoot with her MP
different tack. “Say ‘ready for Rishi’,” he campaigning as he governed: through doing so. “His view is that he’s said he Sunak slipped away from Westmin- supporters the evening quickly evolved
shouted. intense hard work and relentless focus will do it once inflation has come down ster to host a dinner for his supporters in into “really raucous celebrations”, spill-
on details. The teetotal former chancel- and that has settled things,” the MP said. a gastropub in Chelsea near the home of ing out onto the Commons terrace in
The joke was met with an awkward lor is down to one Coca-Cola a week, as Mel Stride, who headed his whipping London’s sweltering heat where Team
silence from most of the cabinet. Liz a Saturday night treat with his wife, Sunak and his team — now operating operation. Sunak made a joke about a Truss launched into three cheers for
Truss, the foreign secretary who is fight- though does confess to having a Twix out of a swish corporate HQ in central voter saying to him that the difference their candidate. Among her backers are
ing Rishi Sunak for the leadership, was and Sprite, which is lower in sugar than London organised by Oliver Dowden, between him and Johnson was that stalwarts of the long march to Brexit
“stony-faced”, according to one minis- Coke, before debates. the former party chairman, along the Johnson looked like he never brushed such as Sir Iain Duncan Smith and
ter. The photographer had to try again. lines of Conservative headquarters — his hair, whereas Sunak looked like his
It is not just his diet that Sunak has
The prime minister may be on the had to rethink. Though he topped the
way out but he looms large over a ballot at every stage of voting among
Conservative leadership contest in MPs, he has the support of a far smaller
which the issue of trust, particularly portion of the parliamentary party than
claims that the former chancellor be- Johnson in 2019 or Theresa May in
trayed Johnson, will play a central role. 2016. Sunak is not in a position to glide
into No 10. He will have to scrap for the
The latest YouGov poll of Conserva- prime ministership instead.
tive Party members showed just how
much attitudes to Johnson will domi- There are signs that he has realised
nate this contest. Asked whether Sunak this. An interview with Today on BBC
could be trusted, 40 per cent said he Radio 4 last week after the first round of
could and the same proportion said he voting was seen as weak even by his
could not. By contrast, 62 per cent
said Truss could be trusted and only supporters. Sunak struggled with
18 per cent said she could not. questions about when he had lost
faith in Johnson and generally
The foreign secretary and her dodged opportunities to land blows
allies are hammering home the
point to Tory members. Now that on his rivals.
the contest is under way, two of In the two televised
her most zealous supporters — debates he shifted his
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Brexit approach, ripping into
opportunities minister, and Truss for planning a
Nadine Dorries, the culture “huge borrowing spree”
secretary — will be hitting and accusing her of
the road together to argue believing in economic
for Truss, but perhaps “fairytales”.
more against Sunak. The tieless Sunak’s
willingness to fling
Their attacks on personal jibes around the
Sunak focus mainly on stage showed a side that
two areas. The first is even some of his closest
character, where it is allies had not seen
argued that his resigna- before. Yet while many
tion on July 5, precipitating of them have welcomed
the collapse of Johnson’s the former chancellor’s
government, means he can- newfound feistiness, he is
not be trusted. “People can still hoping that in the end
smell his lack of sincerity a an appeal to fiscal
mile off,” an ally of Truss said.
“Liz is just being Liz. She is The No 10 aide Guto
trustworthy. She is loyal. She
Harri is no fan of Sunak

Brussels steps up legal action over Northern Ireland protocol

George Grylls Political Reporter contravention of international law. Q&A procedures often take What might the the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill
Truss has introduced a bill in parlia- years before ending up leadership candidates went “directly against this spirit”.
Jennifer Baker Brussels ment that would effectively rip up the Is this the first time in court. The first step do?
protocol. The Northern Ireland Proto- the EU has done this? is for the European Liz Truss has A UK government spokesman said:
Henry Zeffman Associate Political Editor col Bill went through the Commons No. The EU’s four legal Commission to formally spearheaded the “It is disappointing that the EU has
this week and will be debated in the claims against the UK write to the UK to Northern Ireland chosen to bring forward further legal
The EU has begun a new legal action autumn in the Lords, where peers are over the Northern demand remedial Protocol bill, which action, particularly on goods leaving
against the UK as it accused the gov- likely to raise objections. Ireland protocol follow action. If the UK does would rewrite parts of Northern Ireland for Great Britain,
ernment of breaking parts of the three cases last month. not take steps to solve Northern Ireland’s post- which self-evidently present no risk to
Northern Ireland Brexit deal. The progress of the bill has infuriated They accuse the UK of the issue within two Brexit arrangements, the EU single market. A legal dispute is
Brussels, which launched a first round failing to implement the months, the so she is personally in nobody’s interest and will not fix the
Brussels alleged that the government of infringement procedures last month. 2019 Brexit deal for commission could invested in the problems facing the people and
was failing to carry out sufficient In a new set of four infringement Northern Ireland, escalate the case to the government’s strategy. businesses of Northern Ireland. The
checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea, procedures, the EU has accused the specifically rules on European Court of Some in Brussels hope EU is left no worse off as a result of the
which it said had increased the risk of government of failing to comply with customs, VAT and Justice, which could that Rishi Sunak would proposals we have made in the North-
smuggling into the EU. The Northern customs arrangements, failing to im- excise. then fine the UK. In adopt a more ern Ireland Protocol Bill. We will
Ireland protocol was part of the post- plement EU rules on e-commerce and practice, the row is conciliatory approach review the EU’s arguments and
Brexit agreement to avoid a hard bor- ignoring the bloc’s rules on alcohol What happens next? likely to return to the but the truth is there is respond in due course.”
der on the island of Ireland. excise duties. The cases could be heard Formal infringement political domain when a chasm between the
by the European Court of Justice, the Conservative Party commission and the Separately, the government admit-
Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, has which has the power to impose fines of chooses its new leader Conservative Party ted that Britain’s Brexit divorce bill
threatened to override the protocol millions of pounds a day on the UK. in September. on this issue. could rise by almost £8 billion to
after a backlash from the Democratic £42.5 billion. The UK’s settlement of its
Unionist Party (DUP), which is refus- In a statement, the EU accused the outstanding spending commitments,
ing to return to a power-sharing gov- UK of an “unwillingness to engage in primarily EU pensions, has been affect-
ernment in Stormont until progress is meaningful discussion” and said that ed by surging global inflation.
made on scrapping it.

The EU said that to do so would be a

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 11

NNeewwss

upset Johnson leaves the frame

ANDREW PARSONS/NO10 DOWNING STREET

North-South divideBorisJohnson

took his seat in
cabinet for the
last time on

Tuesday among members

on who should win

Steve Baker. Truss, a repentant Remain- Johnson’s former chief of staff and fierce licly he will not make an endorsement. Tom Ball Northern Correspondent teenaged boy. Labour regained the seat
er, has clearly learnt lessons from the critic since he left the government in “The truth is he’s very upset,” a Down- with a majority of nearly 5,000.
EU referendum. November 2020, and that Cummings ing Street source said. “It’s his dream job Will Humphries
had no involvement in his campaign. and he’s been cut off in his prime.” Nadeem Ahmed, 42, a teacher who
While Sunak is urging caution over Southwest Correspondent stood for the Conservatives, said Sunak
Britain’s economic situation, Truss is Truss wants to spend much of the Before MPs left Westminster on was more popular than Truss on the
vowing to challenge orthodoxy in order coming weeks travelling around the Thursday, Johnson allies were prowling “In the middle of a cost of living crisis, doorstep, being better known, but said
to foster growth. This week she tore into country. On a visit to a charity in Peter- the corridors muttering darkly: “This how could someone married to a Truss had more “grassroots appeal”.
“a consensus of the Treasury, of econo- borough on Thursday she received a contest shouldn’t be happening. I’m billionaire possibly understand what
mists, of the Financial Times and other grilling from the children present. One angry and members are angry. That is it’s like to live through that?” In Tiverton & Honiton, Tory voters
outlets peddling a particular type of asked of Johnson: “Have they not kicked going to make itself felt in the contest.” were leaning towards Sunak as a “safe
economic policy for the last 20 years”, a him out yet? Why didn’t they kick him The view of Nick Farmer, 60, a pair of hands” on the economy. Leslie
denouncement reminiscent of her out?” Another chipped in: “Do me a One minister, asked who he was retired firefighter and local councillor, Mayne, 75, a former RAF serviceman
former cabinet colleague Michael favour: when you become prime voting for, said simply: “The person I is shared by many fellow Conservative who runs a kennels in Bampton,
Gove’s notorious claim in 2016 that minister, evict him.” want to be prime minister has just been Party members in Wakefield, which switched to the Lib Dems last month
Britain had had enough of experts. removed.” Labour regained in a by-election last because he “lost trust” in Boris John-
Johnson has no choice but to leave in month. When The Times visited two son.
Her allies believe that this strategy September, yet his presence will hang Johnson used his valedictory prime battleground seats, support for Rishi
will tempt Sunak into falling into the over the final weeks of the contest. minister’s questions on Wednesday to Sunak was far stronger in Tiverton & “I have an inclination towards Rishi
trap of repeating the mistakes of the Sunak’s team are nervous about a poss- aim several barbs at Sunak, urging his Honiton, the constituency lost to the Sunak rather than Liz Truss,” he said. “I
Stronger In campaign’s “Project Fear” ible intervention to help Truss, saying it successor — “whoever he or she may Liberal Democrats the same day. don’t actually warm to her and I don’t
as he warns that Truss’s plans will lead to could be the “wild card” in the campaign. be” — to cut taxes and not “always” agree with her policy of immediate
economic ruin. An ally of Truss said: listen to the Treasury. During rehearsals As Conservative Party members income tax cuts because that has to be
“Sunak’s running a really negative cam- Johnson’s antipathy to Sunak and with tearful aides, Johnson drew laughs choose between Sunak or Liz Truss, the paid for and would be a legacy passed
paign. It’s Project Fear meets dirty sense of betrayal are keenly felt. He told from his advisers by pointedly changing foreign secretary, as their leader and on to future generations.”
tricks. We all know Dominic Cum- eliminated candidates during the con- a crucial line. “I want to give some words prime minister they will need to heed
mings’s involvement in the campaign.” test that he wants “anyone but” Sunak of advice to my successor,” Johnson said, what non-party members think of the Stella Harvey, 73, and her partner
to win and believes that Truss is best “whoever she may be.” candidates. Dugald Simmonds, 72, both retired, are
Sunak has said he has not spoken to placed to carry his torch, although pub- lifelong Tories but Harvey was so
My Week, page 36 In Wakefield, a former mining and “angry and disappointed” in Johnson
manufacturing heartland, members that she did not vote, although Sim-
and voters leant towards Truss. Farmer monds did back the party.
said he was supporting her on an “any-
one but Rishi” basis. Shopping on Tiverton high street,
Harvey said: “I like Dishi Rishi — sorry,
“Liz Truss is someone who grew up slip of the tongue. I like him, he is intelli-
not far from here [in Leeds] and went to gent, although I think his wealth will
a comprehensive school,” he said. “I stand against him with Tory members.”
think she’s someone who would have
more of an idea of what it’s like to live Simmonds preferred Truss, though
like normal people and to struggle.” felt she lacked “leadership qualities”. He
said: “She didn’t come across well in the
Tony Whitmore, 52, was also backing debates. You need personality. Rishi
Truss, who, he said, had shown “what it deals with the big money men, he is at
takes to lead” in her stance against home there and they run the world.”
Russia over the war in Ukraine. “She’s
very direct, which I like,” he said. “And Heidi Bates, 55, a Tory voter and
I don’t like how Rishi betrayed Boris retired civil servant, said she thinks
like that by resigning. It wasn’t the Sunak “has shown his worth”, while
action of a team player.” Truss’s plans to cut taxes were “crazy”.

Whitmore was previously a Labour Donna Montague, 57, a charity
voter but swung to the Conservatives in finance administrator and Tory voter,
2017 and 2019 because of Brexit. Some said she wanted “Rishi definitely”
66.4 per cent of Wakefield residents because “I just really don’t like [Truss].”
voted Leave. The Tories won the seat in
2019 for the first time since 1931, having She added: “I have been on benefits, I
just missed out in the 2017 election. have got a mortgage and I work full
time.I just don’t feel cutting taxes is the
A by-election was triggered in May right thing to do and I feel we are going
after the conviction of the MP Imran into a recession and we need people like
Ahmad Khan for the sexual assault of a Rishi to get us through it.”

Pincher’s constituents want him out Zahawi sends ‘threatening’
letters to online tax critic
Tom Ball has also been set up, garnering almost petition, we would easily reach the
2,000 signatures. 10 per cent threshold,” said Huw Billy Kenber, George Greenwood paying millions in capital gains tax and
Constituents of Chris Pincher have Loxton, 46, one of the leaders of the other taxes. Last Saturday he was
begun a campaign to oust him as their Since 2015, if an MP has been jailed, campaign to oust Pincher, who had Lawyers hired by Nadhim Zahawi have contacted by lawyers representing
MP after he refused to step down convicted of giving false or misleading voted for the MP twice in the past. “No sent “threatening” legal letters to a Zahawi demanding he retract an accu-
despite being suspended from the expenses claims or been suspended one knows where he is. I’ve emailed blogger who accused the new chan- sation that the MP gave a dishonest
Conservative Party. from the Commons for at least ten sit- him several times but heard nothing cellor of lying about his tax affairs. explanation of why the shares were
back. It isn’t right that we have an MP given to Balshore. The correspondence
The MP for Tamworth, in ting days, constituents have had who is entirely absent and who is not Dan Neidle, former head of tax at asked him to withdraw the allegation
Staffordshire, has not been the right to remove them if 10 there to be representing us.” Clifford Chance, the law firm, and that day and recommended that he
seen in his constituency per cent of the local elect- founder of Tax Policy Associates, a seek advice from a libel lawyer.
since the start of this orate sign a petition to do Pincher has not attended his usual think tank, has written several blog
month, when he resigned so. The process has been Friday constituency surgery for the posts scrutinising Zahawi’s tax affairs. Neidle said: “There’s vital public
as the deputy chief whip used three times, with past three weeks. A sign bearing his face interest in the allegations [Zahawi]
after allegations that he two petitions reaching and name has been removed from his The allegations centre on whether hasn’t been straightforward in
had drunkenly groped two the threshold and new constituency office since last Friday. Zahawi avoided tax by using an responding to criticism of his tax
men at an event in London. MPs elected. offshore company, named Balshore affairs. But instead of providing
The fallout from his resigna- Pincher, 52, left, is the In response to a request for comment Investments, to hold valuable shares in explanations, he gets his lawyers to
tion contributed to the departure subject of two investigations, from The Times, Pincher’s office YouGov, the polling company he co- send threatening letters.”
of Boris Johnson as prime minister. responded: “Chris is now on leave of founded. Balshore is registered in
one by the independent com- absence, focused on receiving medical Gibraltar and held by a trust controlled A spokesman for Zahawi said:
For two consecutive weeks, residents plaints and grievance scheme and the support. Chris’s constituency team con- by Zahawi’s parents. “Nadhim sent a polite, confidential
have held protests attended by dozens other by the party. If the former investi- tinues to operate as normal both in the letter through his solicitors to Mr
of people outside Pincher’s office and gation leads to him being suspended office and working from home to deal Neidle suggested the arrangement Neidle to correct a few inaccuracies.”
the town hall. from the Commons, he could face a with constituent queries and support may have allowed Zahawi to avoid
recall petition, triggering a by-election. local people on a range of issues.”
A petition calling for him to resign
“I think if there were to be a recall

12 2GM Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

News

Parents are more gentle than in my day, claims 70s childcare expert

Ali Mitib selling more than three million copies ly. And anyone trying to get their baby at home with the baby. Do you recog- life is critical to development. She said
in the UK. to imitate sounds should “remember nise today’s world? No, neither did I. fathers could be as important as the
Penelope Leach, the childcare guru, has you are trying to bring up a person, not mother at the start of a child’s life.
said that parents are “warmer, kindlier In an interview with The Times a parrot”. “I think parents are warmer, kindlier
and gentler” with their children than Weekend supplement, she says that the and gentler with very small children “Babies will have a principal attach-
her generation used to be. revised edition of the book, to be relea- Leach, 84, said: “It was a case of re- than we used to be. Parents talk about ment figure and if it’s not the mother it
sed in September, adapts her no-non- write or kill, frankly. It’s nearly 50 years their children, they watch them and are will be whoever is available, and very
The child psychologist came to sense approach to child development to since I wrote it and it was a different aware of where they’re at. That’s hugely often that will be the father. The trouble
prominence after the publication of her the reality of modern society. world. important.” is that it’s difficult enough to get the
book Your Baby and Child: From Birth to flexible working you need as a mother;
Age Five in 1977. The book retains Leach’s trademark “The expectation was still that Leach is a proponent of attachment it’s almost impossible as a father.”
advice to parents, however, such as if parents would be a heterosexual theory, which suggests that a strong
The book was hailed as the “baby their baby is not falling asleep while couple, that daddy would go out to emotional and physical bond to one The queen of baby gurus
bible” for a new generation of parents, being rocked they are doing it too slow- work and mummy would primarily stay primary caregiver in our first years of
is back, Weekend, page 9

MATT DUNHAM/AP

Energy firm

accused of

hoarding

payments

More than 10,000 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel in small boats since the government agreed the removal scheme with Rwanda in April David Byers Assistant Money Editor

Rwanda defends migrant deal Customers of the energy supplier Bulb
but says it can take only 200 face having their direct debits
increased at short notice and being
Matt Dathan Home Affairs Editor from the UK under the deal. Makolo ernment analysis had predicted that at the earliest, if the government wins a blocked from getting any money they
said Hope Hostel in Kigali was the only this year’s total number of removals High Court challenge brought by ref- are owed under changes to its terms
The Rwandan government has said it accommodation that was ready to ac- would be only about 300, the Home ugee charities and a trade union. and conditions.
only has capacity to accommodate a cept migrants under the £120 million Office disputed it and insisted that the
maximum of 200 migrants from the deal struck between the UK and Rwan- scheme was uncapped. Asked why she believed the policy The company, which is being
UK despite Boris Johnson claiming da in April. had sparked such controversy in the propped up by the taxpayer, has written
tens of thousands would be removed The 200 maximum capacity is UK, Makolo blamed false narratives to customers making several changes
there. The hostel is empty after being dwarfed by the 10,000 migrants who that had created an inaccurate impress- that some observers said were designed
cleared and prepared to receive the first have arrived in the UK in small boats ion of life in both the UK and Rwanda. to hoard money inside the company to
Yolande Makolo, a spokeswoman for migrants, who were due to be trans- since the Rwanda deal was signed in maximise its chances of a sale.
the Rwandan government, also accu- ferred earlier this month before the mid-April. In total, more than 15,000 She said: “When you pull back and
sed critics of the deal struck with the flight was grounded by last-minute migrants have crossed the Channel this look at this with a wider lens, part of the In one notable change, Bulb said it
UK to transfer Channel migrants to her legal challenges. year, almost double the number that reason that people would think that would require customers to keep at
country of wrongly depicting Africa as had arrived by this time in 2021. they should be living in Europe, in rich- least a month’s credit in their account,
a “hellhole”. Doris Uwicyeza Picard, chief adviser er countries is they think that the and reserved the right to refuse to re-
to the Rwandan justice minister, said Makolo said the Rwandan govern- streets are paved with gold. fund people’s balances if it considered it
She hit back at officials in the UK yesterday that her country was “ready ment had the ability to “scale up very “fair and reasonable” to do so.
government who had opposed the accommodate as many as the UK is quickly,” adding: “We’re looking into in- “Part of the reason is this narrative
policy internally because of Rwanda’s willing to send”. frastructure development, we have that is cast by different media that The supplier also halved the notice it
poor human rights record, which was identified other accommodation devel- Africa is basically a hellhole — the kind would give customers to warn of a
revealed in court documents published However, Makolo later clarified that opments.” of stories that are coming out of Africa change to their direct debit, to five days.
this week. Hope Hostel was the only accommoda- are presented as a terrible place to live,
tion available at present and that it Picard said Rwanda would be able to which isn’t true. I think we have some The company futher appeared to be
She said that a “narrative” had been could accommodate a maximum of receive “thousands in the lifetime of disadvantages, we have limited means protecting itself against mass defaults
created that had portrayed the whole of 200 people. This is despite the UK gov- this partnership”. to offer the kind of opportunities that as energy prices rise by saying it would
Africa as “poor and full of diseases” and ernment saying that there was no limit we want to offer to the level that we “take legal action to recover the debt” if
suggested that had contributed to the on the number of migrants who could The UK government has already want to, but we’re working on it. people stopped paying for their energy.
UK’s migrant removal policy stalling. be removed this year and Johnson say- paid Rwanda the £120 million, which The new terms come into force on
ing “tens of thousands” would be trans- has been spent on preparing for the “I think this innovative partnership August 22.
However, fresh questions have been ferred over the next few years. arrival of migrants. The first migrant that we’ve got is the beginning of re-
raised over Rwanda’s preparedness to flights to Kigali under the arrangement versing the flow of migration, to create Bulb, which was founded in 2015,
receive migrants who are transferred When The Times revealed that a gov- are unlikely to go ahead until October opportunities here.” became a casualty of soaring wholesale
gas and electricity prices when it went
bust in November with 1.6 million cus-
tomers. Because the supplier was con-
sidered too big to fail, the government
stepped in to keep it going under a pro-
cess called special administration until
a buyer could be found. It has received
at least £900 million of public money.

Bulb denied the latest moves were
unfair to customers, claiming they were
routine and simply brought it into line
with other companies.

However, industry experts suspected
that the moves were designed to hoard
money in the company as Teneo, Bulb’s
administrators, tried to finalise a sale.

“By requiring customers to keep at
least one month’s credit in their
account, Bulb is using customer
deposits to fund the company’s working
capital,” Joe Malinowski, founder of
TheEnergyShop.com, an energy com-
parison service, said.

In April the energy price cap imposed
by the regulator Ofgem, which limits
what suppliers can charge the 22 mil-
lion households on variable tariffs, rose
54 per cent to £1,971 per year for the
average household on a dual-fuel tariff.
It is expected to go up to £3,200 in
October and to more than £3,300 in
January.

Bulb said: “The main reason we’ve
updated our terms and conditions is to
adapt to faster switching rules, which
came into effect this week, as well as
industry changes like more frequent
updates to the price cap, which will
mean we may not always be able to give
30 days’ notice when prices change.”

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 13

Writer’s STEPHEN CHUNG/ALAMY News
sales soar
thanks to teenagers. Teenagers are a decade since
Netflix the oldest that they’ve embarking on an
ever been.” unusual route to the top.
The Gruffalo has JK Rowling, the Harry Alice Oseman appeared in Oseman’s always treat teenage In 2014, while 19 and a
a rival as the Potter author. hasn’t missed a first novel Solitaire, characters as mature While Heartstopper student at Durham
Netflix effect beat since she written while she was human beings and never has propelled the University, she secured a
propels a 27- Oseman’s rise to the wrote her first studying at Rochester try to write down, to author, illustrator and two-book publishing
year-old from top of the publishing novel at school Grammar School in pretend you’re being a screenwriter to fame, deal reported to be
Rochester into the league table has been Kent. teenager,” Oseman told Oseman has been worth upwards of
upper reaches of the propelled, however, by commissioned two more The New York Times in known about for almost £100,000, a rarity for
literary world (David Netflix’s adaptation of series. “Now, as an adult May. “Because teenage authors.
Sanderson writes). the Heartstopper series. writing teenagers, for teenagers don’t feel like
The “boy meets boy” Oseman suggested in me the main thing is to Two years later she
Alice Oseman, creator coming-of-age drama a recent interview that began Heartstopper as a
of the Heartstopper stars Olivia Colman, part of the Heartstopper black and white
series of graphic novels, with Kit Connor and Joe success was down to webcomic, which drew a
has secured £5.5 million Locke playing the school having begun writing global following. In 2018
of book sales in Britain corridor lovers Nick and the characters while still Oseman launched a
during the first six Charlie. It has reached in her teens. They crowdfunding campaign
months of the year Netflix’s top ten list in 54 to self-publish the first
alone, new figures have countries since it was physical edition, which
revealed. released in April and the she said would ensure
company recently her international fans
Oseman is now biting could buy the book. It
at the feet of Julia raised enough money in
Donaldson, creator of two hours, the first print
The Gruffalo, who for run sold out, Oseman
more than a decade has secured a publishing
achieved annual sales in deal with Hachette and
excess of £10 million. Netflix began talks
about an adaptation.
According to Nielsen
BookScan data reported Oseman’s own magical
by The Bookseller, sales added lustre to
Donaldson has nearly what is already shaping
£200 million of lifetime up to be a huge year for
sales through the steady book sales in Britain.
purchase of her According to The
children’s books, putting Bookseller, the
her second only to £767 million of sales in
the first six months of
the year is the highest
since accurate records
began. The £187 million
in sales of children’s
books is also the
largest yet.

Low-alcohol beer set to pack more punch

Chris Smyth Whitehall Editor Three of the best based on an industry taskforce. It was the bar, encouraging consumption of Brewers have
also due to reject the recommendation lower-strength beers and improving
Beers described as “alcohol free” and Guinness Draught 0.0 from a government review that the consumer choice. learnt secrets
“low alcohol” will be allowed to be Alcohol Free Stout legal smoking age be raised every year.
stronger under plans designed to tempt Sainsbury’s and Asda, “The government’s policy aim of of good taste
drinkers into switching to healthier 4 x 440ml cans £4 Instead, it would have promised “a encouraging the growth of the
alternatives. revolution in the use of vaping” that consumption of low-strength beers is Jane McQuitty
With its rich, creamy head and would lead to e-cigarettes being severely undermined by the existing Comment
A relaxation of alcohol by volume wonderfully satisfying, roasted prescribed on the NHS. labelling regulation, which prevents
(ABV) limits covering the products is malty wallop of flavour, Guinness brewers promoting low-strength beers F orget the faffing around with
awaiting sign-off by the next prime 0.0 looks and almost tastes like the On drinking, it set out to reduce as low strength.” the alcohol percentage points
minister. real thing. consumption and “encourage the of what is and isn’t a nolo beer.
switch to alcohol-free and low-alcohol Stainer claimed that this was “out of What drinkers need to know is that,
At present “no alcohol” beer must The Original Small Beer alternatives”. step with the forthcoming changes to unlike most of the baked, jammy,
contain less than 0.05 per cent ABV and Session Pale, 2.5 per cent the alcohol duty regime”, which will de-alcoholised wines and overpriced
“low alcohol” less than 1.2 per cent. 350ml bottle, Waitrose £2.20 “Getting the alcohol down really low reduce tax on beer of 2.8 per cent ABV spirit substitutes, lots of low and no-
makes it much harder to make products or under — far higher than the current alcohol beers are surprisingly tasty.
These limits could be increased to One of the best of the mid-strength that people like so, if you can promote definition of low-alcohol.
between 0.5 and 1 per cent and up to small beer brigade, with a rich, better alcohol-free and low-alcohol Early nolo beers, launched in the
about 3 per cent respectively. malty taste and the added pump of drinks, that makes people more likely to Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chairman 1980s, were thin, sour, tasteless
wheat and oats. switch from standard beers,” a health of the Alcohol Health Alliance of offerings, lacking vital yeasty, hoppy
The shift in policy is designed to help source claimed. doctors and charities, suggested that oomph. When you remove alcohol,
people cut down on their alcohol intake Beavertown Lazer Crush IPA, more evidence was needed on low- you remove some of the flavour, so
by helping brewers make low-strength 0.3 per cent Consumers have increasingly been alcohol products but said “if it could be nolo beers need to be full of
options more appealing. 4 x 330ml cans, Tesco £6 moving towards lower-alcohol drinks. done in a way without brand character to compensate.
The market doubled over a five-year promotion, we would be supportive”.
Ministers believe encouraging Gorgeous, floral, frothy, citrus- period to an estimated £171 million in Gradually, brewers caught on to
people to opt for weaker beers will scented India Pale Ale, with a terrific sales last year. He said: “We do support people continental brewing tricks of using
improve health by reducing alcohol hoppy finish, boosted by citra, switching to lower-strength drinks lazy yeasts, reverse osmosis and cold
consumption without attracting azacca and amarillo hops. Figures from the market research [but] firms are often using the same filtration methods to create
accusations of “nanny-state” company Mintel show that more than a branding and we’ve got real concerns flavoursome low and no-alcohol
restrictions on freedom. restrictions on advertis- third of drinkers say there are not that they’re using ‘low alcohol’ with beers that really did taste like the
enough low-alcohol and alcohol-free exactly the same branding [as full- real, full-strength thing.
The plans were days away from being ing and price are likely beers available in pubs and bars. strength products] and it could be a
published as part of a health disparities route in for children and young people Using better ingredients (not just
white paper drawn up by Sajid Javid to cut consumption Tom Stainer, chief executive of the to use alcohol.” malted barley but oats and wheat,
before he quit as health secretary. Campaign for Real Ale, said: “Whereas plus intensely flavoured hops,
significantly. Gilmore said the plan was “tinkering including the appositely named,
When Boris Johnson resigned as five to ten years ago most round the edges” and that the citrusy citra) to boost nolos’ aroma,
prime minister, the paper was paused Javid’s white consumers had very little government had “consistently put its mouthfeel and finish made for more
until his replacement takes office in choice in the low- head in the sand on evidence-based full-bodied brews. Of all the nolo
early September. paper was set to alcohol section, today policies that have been shown flavour-enhancing tweaks, giving
we are seeing some worldwide to reduce harm”, chiefly by beers a final blast of hoppy flavour
However, neither the Treasury under disappoint health incredible initiative increasing prices and reducing by dry-hopping, adding one or more
Rishi Sunak nor the Foreign Office and innovation in availability. hops to the fermentation tank late in
under Liz Truss raised objections when campaigners, as it the sector.” the process, was a game-changer.
they were sent for approval by ministers He said that any While younger people are drinking
before being formally signed off by the planned a beer up to 3.5 per less than in the past, those in middle age
government. cent ABV should are increasingly drinking unhealthy
“market-based be classified as low amounts. Gilmore said a minimum unit
Sir Chris Whitty, the chief medical alcohol, adding: price in Scotland had reduced harm
officer, is said to be pushing the policy approach to “We believe this caused by alcohol and expressed
within government. would make low- frustration that “this ‘nanny state’
reducing obesity” alcohol beers more argument comes up again and again”.
While the promotion of lower- attractive to consumers at
alcohol drinks has been welcomed by Alcohol-free Guinness
industry, health campaigners say it is went on sale last year
“tinkering round the edges” and only

14 V2 Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

News ZACHARYCULPIN/BNPS

Museum row Co-op to cut
over Uighur 400 jobs as
treatment inflation bites

George Sandeman Summertime sparkle The Ukrainian dancers Julia Moskalenko and Stanislav Olshansky prepare for Ballet Under the Stars, Simon Cable
which is being held this weekend by the Covent Garden Dance Company in the walled garden of Hatch House in Wiltshire
The appointment of a private equity The Co-op is to axe 400 jobs, with the
boss as a director of a British Museum retail and funeral firm blaming tough
charity has been criticised because of trading conditions and rising inflation.
his support for the Chinese govern-
ment’s abusive treatment of Uighurs. The move comes after the 138-year-
old mutual — one of the world’s largest
Weijian Shan, co-founder of the in- co-operatives — revealed in April that
vestment firm PAG, has been appoint- its annual profits had been hit by supply
ed by British Museum Friends, which chain problems and driver shortages.
provides trustees for the museum’s col-
lection, according to The Spectator. The company said that no customer-
facing roles in food stores or funeral
In April last year, Shan wrote an homes will be affected, with most of the
opinion piece in the South China cuts expected at its Manchester head-
Morning Post newspaper in Hong Kong quarters.
defending Beijing’s policies towards
Uighurs. “China has been waging its A spokesman said: “The tough trad-
own counterterrorism offensive in Xin- ing environment, including rising infla-
jiang,” he wrote. “The extremists oper- tion, means we have taken the difficult
ate across China’s porous borders and decision to bring forward some of the
train alongside the Taliban and Islamic changes we had planned for 2023.
State. Returning to Xinjiang, they hide
among the general population, work- “These changes will sadly mean a
ing to convert young people to their number of colleagues in central func-
radicalism, and plotting and carrying tions will leave the business.
out terror attacks.”
“We make these changes with a
British Museum Friends provides heavy heart, but it is the right thing to
funding to the museum via member- do for the long-term health of our Co-
ship schemes. Other board members op and for all of our members.”
include Grayson Perry, the artist, Dame
Mary Beard, the historian, and George The Co-op employs a total workforce
Osborne, the former chancellor who is of 63,000 people and has 2,600 shops. It
its chairman. also supplies more than 8,000 conve-
nience stores, in addition to its funerals
Shan’s appointment was criticised by division and an insurance business.
Luke de Pulford, of Hong Kong Watch,
a human rights group. “The mass steri- Chief executive Shirine Khoury-Haq
lisation of Uighur women is not a ‘war had warned earlier this year of further
on terror’. You should urgently recon- “shocks” after its annual profits more
sider the appointment,” he told the than halved.
museum. Among alleged abuses by
China towards the Muslim minority Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupt-
group are the internment of millions in ed supplies of sunflower oil. Animal
“re-education camps”, forced labour feed and wheat prices have also been af-
and violence described as “genocide”. fected, which has had a knock-on effect
on the meat, dairy and bakery seg-
A museum spokesman said: “The ments. Floods in Spain hit supplies of
British Museum has a world-spanning broccoli, lettuces and courgettes.
collection and we believe that our trus-
tee board should reflect this plurality.” “It impacts not only fresh produce
but ingredients for other things as well,”
Khoury-Haq said. “Compound that
with the cost-of-living issues that
household budgets are facing.”

The medic taking scalpel to NHS sexism

The government’s new Obstetricians and Gynaecologists from report in March, which found that 201 whether they’re in healthcare or any- they see it in front of their own eyes that
2016 to 2019, Regan used motoring babies and nine mothers had died at where else, to call it out and be part of they realise quite how shocking that
health ambassador tells analogies while lobbying male minis- Shrewsbury and Telford hospitals the solution.” She finds it easier to can be. A lot of people have very strong
ters for reform: “I used to say to the because of appalling care and a repeat- persuade men to take women’s health views. They’re entitled to their
Eleanor Hayward she health secretaries Jeremy Hunt and ed failure to listen to women. seriously by framing it as “making opinions, but they can’t make up the
Matt Hancock that it’s like taking your things better for female employees or facts.”
is on a mission to fix car for its annual MOT. You don’t come Regan believes this systemic neglect members of their family”.
back in the afternoon and pay your of women’s health can be tackled only if Regan supports liberalising abortion
institutional failings money and then get told, ‘Well, you everyone is comfortable talking about The economic case for inclusive laws. She cites MPs passing a law allow-
can’t have your back tyres done. We female bodies. “Most women have 12 menopause policies such as flexible ing at-home abortions via pills sent in
Professor Dame Lesley Regan has have to send you somewhere else for periods a year for nearly 40 years of working is compelling. Women over the post as one of the few good things to
spent her life caring for women in a windscreen wipers.’ My argument is their life. This is a day-to-day occur- the age of 50 are the fastest-growing have come out of the pandemic.
health service built around the needs of that if we can get those simple things rence. For many of them, they can’t talk segment of the workforce, but about a
men. Women, she says, “have not had a done well, we can free up an enormous about it and they can’t access help. A lot million have quit or retired early Five decades on from the 1967
good deal. Our healthcare systems are amount of resources.” because of the menopause. When Abortion Act, Regan, 66, is adamant
failing them because NHS services are Professor Dame Regan started talking to “leaders of that society is slowly moving in the
not designed to meet women’s day-to- Six women’s health hubs are up and Lesley Regan is FTSE companies about what they right direction as lingering taboos sur-
day needs.” running in England, bringing together working to achieve could do to retain their 45 to 60-year- rounding female health are shattered.
existing services “in one time and one better healthcare olds, they just said, ‘Why hasn’t some- A mother to twin 29-year-old daugh-
The gynaecologist is the govern- place”. More NHS regions will be urged for women one told me this before?’ ” ters, she says that “when they were
ment’s first women’s health ambassa- to open such clinics as part of the little, and when I was pregnant, we
dor, handed the task of implementing a women’s health strategy launched this of male standoffishness about female When she’s not meeting ministers or didn’t talk about menopause and we
ten-year strategy promising to “right week in response to a government health is because they’re frightened of City executives, Regan is as an obstetri- didn’t really talk about periods. You
the wrongs” of decades of institutional consultation that found 84 per cent of it. They don’t understand it.” cian and gynaecologist at St Mary’s certainly wouldn’t be at a drinks party
sexism. women felt their pain or concerns were hospital in Paddington, central and tell someone you’ve met this mar-
ignored. She has no time for men who say that London. Her experience on the wards vellous gynaecologist. If there was a
Central to her vision is new network sexism has nothing to do with them: underpins her unequivocal support for man in earshot, you would probably
of women’s health hubs providing “one- The report said that women were “Following the MeToo movement and safe and legal abortion as a cornerstone have lowered your voice and he would
stop shops” for smear tests, mammo- failed by the NHS throughout their life- Sarah Everard’s murder, some people of women’s health. sidle off.
grams, HRT, contraception and sexual time, from anorexic teenage girls stuck were saying it’s not all men. I don’t
health checks. She believes that women on mental health waiting lists to young accept that.” She recalls being an NHS junior “We need to make girls and women
are failed by the present system, which women told their excruciating periods doctor in the 1980s, treating a young part of the solution. If I teach you how
requires multiple consultations with are normal, same-sex couples strug- Instead, she believes that men must woman who had gone into was to control your menstrual periods, you
different staff to get basic care. “I don’t gling to access IVF, menopausal speak up about misogyny on hospital suffering from kidney failure after a share it with someone. You tell your
want to have three or four different women denied HRT and elderly wards after female doctors highlighted botched at-home abortion. “If you live sister, you tell your cleaning lady, you
appointments to get my contraception women twice as likely to get dementia their experiences of sexual assault in a in a country or a society where you tell all your friends. It might change
or my STI check or my smear test or my as men. When women’s voices are campaign described as medicine’s make abortion illegal or difficult to your life from being strapped to the
mammogram.” repeatedly ignored, some of them die. #MeToo. “We’ve got to get all the men, access, the problem doesn’t go away — toilet for three days every time you had
This was exposed by the Ockenden girls and women die. I think people a heavy period. You wouldn’t keep the
As president of the Royal College of pay lip-service to that fact. It’s not until information to yourself.”

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 2GM 15

News

SAM BOAL/ROLLINGNEWS; BRIAN LAWLESS/PA

Harry, 102,
still enjoys a
fine vintage

Kieran Gair

“Life is beautiful, and I’ve always lived it
to the full,” says Harry Gamper, a 102-
year-old D-Day veteran who has
revealed the secret ingredient to a long
and happy life. It will please all those of
us who enjoy a glass of wine.

Celebrating an Italian-themed birth-
day at Malin Court care home in South
Ayrshire, put on by staff and fellow resi-
dents after the pandemic prevented cel-
ebrating his 100th, Gamper said: “I love
art, music, good food and the finest
wine — all of these things, and the

Harry Gamper says
good food, fine
wine and friends
are essential to live
a long life

Time flies John “Paddy” Hemingway, who flew a Spitfire in the Battle of Britain and now lives in South Dublin, celebrated his 103rd birthday this week and was a guest at people around you, are what matter
an Irish Veterans Day event celebrating the Irish Air Corps’ centenary. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight led a flypast with the Silver Swallows air corp display team most in life.”

He was an RAF pilot during the war
and described the D-Day landings as
“incredible”. He said: “I’ll never forget it
. . . The Channel was extraordinary — I
think you could have almost walked
across the Channel because every boat
was going across it.”

He was awarded medals for his ser-
vice and clocked up 1,000 hours of fly-
ing in the RAF. After the war he mar-
ried and had two sons. He worked in ad-
vertising and retired to Dorset with his
wife in 1983, but he has lived in Ayrshire
since the late 2000s.

Police refused to chase my ‘Slow motion murder’ is not
stolen money over border taken seriously by officers

Fiona Hamilton Crime Editor “offences did not meet their threshold personal details but also because she Tom Winsor fraud, largely enabled by the
for recording these crimes”. had reported two fraudulent card pay- internet, is to be brought into check
An Oxford-educated lawyer cheated ments to Santander four months Comment in any meaningful way, those who
out of almost £30,000 in Scotland was Smith said: “I think it makes earlier. commit fraud must realise that
told police could not pursue her case complete and utter nonsense of having Adults are more likely to policymakers have decided that this
because the money had been trans- banks that trade across the UK and are She made a transfer of almost be victims of fraud than corrosive and extraordinarily
ferred to England. subject to the same laws on money £10,000 to Barclays. The next month of any other crime. The expensive offending will now be
laundering and regulation. To split off she was contacted by a different man detrimental effect of tackled with resources
Jane Smith, an advocate who has a the capability of Police Scotland from also falsely purporting to be from the fraud is as great today as commensurate with its seriousness
double first-class degree and went on to forces in England is absurd.” fraud department, who said that he was it has ever been — if not greater — and prevalence. Fraud costs the UK
lecture in law, was conned into moving part of a consortium of the National yet fraud indefensibly continues to many billions of pounds every year.
a large part of her savings by criminals She questioned why police were not Crime Agency, Financial Conduct be treated as a low priority.
purporting to be from her bank’s fraud taking bank fraud more seriously when Authority and leading banks. For too long, police forces have
department. it cost the UK more than £1 billion a This is far from commensurate placed an unjustifiable reliance on
year. He said that there had been more with the agony of the victims and Action Fraud, the national fraud
Their deception was particularly suspicious activity and that transfers their families. Victims of fraud can reporting centre, to solve the
convincing because they had personal Sir Tom Winsor, the former chief were necessary to “flush out” anyone face levels of human suffering as problem. But Action Fraud exists
information, including her date of inspector of constabulary, said that within Santander who could be disclos- catastrophic as those experienced by mainly to record fraud allegations,
birth, address and bank account details. even though fraud is now the most sig- ing or selling customer details. Smith victims of many other crimes. Police not investigate them. Many police
transferred £20,000 to Cash Plus, an forces don’t take it seriously enough forces are not taking their
Smith, 50, said she was caught in a Jane Smith was online bank. and they don’t have the resources. responsibilities to prevent and
jurisdictional trap where police said cheated out of investigate fraud anywhere near
they were unable to investigate nearly £30,000 Santander originally refused to re- Policymakers do not take it seriously enough. The suffering will
adequately. Most of her money was imburse the full loss, arguing that seriously enough either, yet fraud rise as the perpetrators continue to
transferred into the account of an app- nificant type of crime, police forces and Smith had failed to take appropriate now accounts for more than 50 per believe that politicians care so little.
based bank registered in London. policymakers were not doing enough. steps to protect herself, but backed cent of all crime. It needs to be
down after she went to the media. taken seriously because honest In Jane Smith’s case, the receiving
The lawyer, who lives on the Isle of Winsor, who was chief inspector for people are losing large amounts of bank refused to co-operate with the
Arran, said Police Scotland told her it ten years until March, said the proceeds Smith said many fraudulent transfers their money. police in Scotland because they said
did not have the jurisdiction to follow of fraud were being used for serious were not flagged by banks, which were
the money because it had been deposit- crime and that some victims had killed imposing an unacceptable level of due Some people whose savings it was an English
ed in England. She reported the fraud to themselves after losing everything. diligence on customers. have been stolen kill themselves jurisdictional matter. That’s
City of London police via its online por- Such cases were “murders in slow through despair, desperation just absurd. The border
tal and heard nothing back. She wrote motion”. “I am pretty savvy, but this happens and sometimes unjustified should not have any such
to Angela McLaren, the force’s com- to a lot of savvy people,” she said. “You shame. Such cases are murders effect. Just because
missioner, and did not receive a reply. Smith became a victim of an “author- mustn’t ever feel ashamed or embar- in slow motion. Victims can suffer someone has been cheated
The force said it did not receive a letter. ised push payment” scam after she was rassed to come forward about some- terribly, and the suffering does not out of money in Scotland,
contacted in March by a man purport- thing like this . . . The fraudsters are end with them. Fraud that does not mean it should
Smith said that Police Scotland ing to represent her bank’s fraud inves- really smart, they know what buttons to proceeds can be used not be investigated
appeared to consider the case closed tigations department, warning that her press. I did say I wasn’t convinced to finance guns, drugs, because the
when her bank, Santander, agreed to account had been compromised. It was before transferring but the guy got prostitution, human money has gone
partially reimburse her, even though credible not only because he had her really aggressive and made me feel like trafficking, child to England.
the fraudsters were at large and free to I would be impeding an investigation if abuse and terror. Sir Tom Winsor
target others. I did. People need to be told about this, is the former
and to be told they should not feel it’s If the chief inspector
Police Scotland said that it liaised their fault.” extraordinary of
with the City of London police but the proliferation of constabulary

16 Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

News

Royal Navy
shadows
Putin subs
along coast

Two Russian operations public. It last specialist Merlin on the movements of the think if they realised the navy were learning to HMS Portland,
submarines disclosed a similar helicopter — both Russian Northern Fleet first one had been use two Sandown-class left and inset,
were tracked operation in February equipped with cutting- vessels.” tracked they might be minehunters that their shadowed the
by a Royal last year, well before the edge sonars, sensors and more careful with the country is buying. Severodvinsk in
Navy warship invasion of Ukraine. torpedoes for A source said the navy second,” the insider said. the North Sea
in the North Sea as submarine-hunting was surprised at how Volodymyr Havrylov,
Ukrainians were being The spokesman said: operations — reported easy it was to track the The operation came as Ukraine’s deputy James Heappey, the
trained to operate “Portland and her second vessel. “You’d crew from Ukraine’s defence minister, met armed forces minister,
minehunters (Larisa before visiting his
Brown writes). countrymen training in
Scotland. The Sandown
HMS Portland, a minehunters can trace
frigate, shadowed the mines in deep waters.
nuclear-powered
Severodvinsk and the
Akula-class Vepr after
they surfaced separately
northwest of Bergen,
Norway. A navy
spokesman said the subs
were followed along the
Norwegian coast.

A navy source said
they were going to
St Petersburg for
Russia’s annual
maritime celebrations.

It is rare for the Royal
Navy to make such

Charge of the electric bike brigade

Sales boomed in the This isn’t Go into a bike shop, I can charge it without bikes on the street are Pumped up
exercise, this and they’ll tell you that lugging the bike into the cheerfully illegal already,
pandemic and show no is the future you need to spend house. The range is about thanks to amateur hacks. Petrol and diesel pump prices per litre
thousands on an electric 40 miles. £2
sign of slowing down as Comment bike or you’ll regret it. Don’t dress for cycling.
That’s rubbish. Mine cost In traffic, I leave cars You don’t need to. You’ll Diesel 1.60
motoring costs increase, It’s the best thing I’ve about £700. You’ll want for dust. Regular cyclists freeze. This isn’t exercise. 1.20
ever bought. No something bigger and do that, too, to be fair, but Probably it would be
writes Ben Clatworthy hyperbole. I really better if you’re ferrying you’ll lose them, too, on fairly stupid to ride one in Petrol 0.8
mean it (Hugo kids to school, but for a hills, and there is huge a city if you don’t know 0.4
Standing in his newest shop in Rifkind writes). workaday, modern horse pleasure to be derived how to drive, but the
Battersea, south London, Iwan Jones is Don’t think of it as a equivalent, the Deliveroo from how much they same is true of normal 0
extolling the virtues of electric bikes. normal bike but better. guys have the right idea. mind. The law is fairly bikes. Within a week,
“We get a bit evangelical,” he says. Think of it, instead, as Basically it’s a bog- stupid in this regard, you’ll wonder how you 2004 08 12 16 20
“These days there are absolutely no re- your ultimate urban standard, quite heavy because you’re legally ever lived without it.
liability issues with e-bikes and people transport solution. The bike (and heavy is good; limited to just over 15mph Source: Department for Business, Energy and
are turning to them in their droves.” nearest parallel is a you’ll want the stability) under electric power Within a month, you’ll Industrial Strategy
moped, but they’re heavy, with a motor and a alone, which feels wonder why anybody who
He is not exaggerating. Jones is the dirty, dangerous things. battery. I take the battery unreasonable. Regular is physically capable of really worked as the batteries didn’t
commercial business manager of The off when I lock it up, bikes already go faster riding one — which is give enough distance or have reliability.
Electric Bike Shop, one of the country’s because it’s worth as than that, as will you almost everybody — You’d get a few miles and run out of
fast-growing bike retailers. It started much as the rest down a hill. Also, you’ll doesn’t have one. We power and just be left with a heavy
business in 2014 but has boomed in the altogether. Plus, it means realise pretty quickly that should be basing our bike.”
last two years. At the start of 2020 it had at least half of all electric cities around them. They
seven staff. Now it has 70 and is prepar- are the future. You’ll see. Metcalfe, who won a Red Dot Bicycle
ing to open its ninth shop — and its Design Award, said his aim was to
fourth this year — in the next week. too hilly on a normal bike, suddenly Gordon Riley, the founder of Sheffield- £2,000 to get into the e-bike create a bike that didn’t look too differ-
wanted an e-bike.” based Electric England, said. “I think market.” ent to a conventional bike. “Old e-bikes
“In the past many people who bought people are fed up of being beholden to stood out,” he said. “We wanted to make
e-bikes were, for example, older people E-bikes are ordinary bikes but with other countries — and the price rises The range of the higher spec a stylish bike.” Like others in the sector,
who wanted to keep up their health the added bonus of an electric motor — at the petrol pumps. We have lots models varies from about Metcalfe pointed to the pandemic as a
without so much strain as conventional and battery. The battery supplies power of people coming to us with the 80 to 100 miles on a single turning point in the growth of the sec-
biking,” Jones said. “Now they’re a to the electric motor and can be aim of changing how they com- tor, adding that demand was being sus-
viable mode of transport and we’re charged from a regular socket. The as- mute. My son is one of them. charge, depending on the tained by the jump in petrol prices.
seeing more and more people turning sisted speed is restricted to 15.5mph. He ditched his van and size of the battery, and it
to them not only for leisure but also started using an e-bike. We costs about 12p in electri- Last month the cost of filling a typical
commuting.” Recent research by Mintel, the also get lots of gig economy city. 55-litre family-sized car with petrol
market analyst, found that 14 per cent workers, Deliveroo drivers, rose by a record £9.12, with diesel just
Jones said it was in 2016 that the of cyclists now own an e-bike, double Uber Eats, that sort of thing, who James Metcalfe, 48, behind at £8.59. For a car that does 40
appetite for e-bikes really arrived in the number who owned one in 2020. are looking for an alternative to founded Volt, a British- miles to the gallon, that means it costs
Britain with more mainstream brands Among regular cyclists (those who ride the car, given it’s so prohibitively based manufacturer, just a driver around 22p for every mile they
moving into the sector. Initially uptake at least once a week), almost one in five expensive at the moment.” over a decade ago and drive — up from around 16p at the start
was gradual. Then the pandemic hit. “It now own an e-bike and the numbers was one of the first on the of the year.
completely exploded,” he said. “Gyms continue to soar. Last year they ac- Riley sells “basic commuter bandwagon. “At that
were closed, so people who were used to counted for a quarter of spending on bikes” starting at £500 but Price is still the biggest barrier to the
going on an exercise bike suddenly bikes, an estimated £315 million. That prices go up to about £2,000 point they were rela- e-bike market although the growth in
looked at the option of getting an figure, experts believe, will be eclipsed for a higher spec model. He tively new as a public popularity of the government’s cycle to
e-bike.” this year as soaring petrol prices send said: “You won’t get a proposition,” he said. work scheme is attracting employees
motorists seeking alternative ways to premium for £500, but “At the time the batter- seeking a cheaper way to commute.
But what looked like a bubble has not commute. they fold in half, can go in ies were turning from
burst. As home working eased and the boot and on trains. lead acid to lithium iron And for those who think that going
people cautiously started returning to At Halfords stores, nationwide sales and it was a game electric is cheating? “Nonsense,” said
offices, they wanted new ways to travel. of e-bikes are up 265 per cent on this “I think it’s important to changer. The previous Jones. “The tide is completely turning.
Jones said: “People were scared of time last year. Across the sector retail- get the word out there that generation of bikes never And whether it’s hills or a summer’s day
public transport, they wanted to be in ers are rubbing their hands together. you don’t have to spend you can get to work without needing a
fresh air away from others. People Volt is among manufacturers riding shower once you arrive.”
whose commutes would be too far, or “It’s been absolute boom time,”
a wave of enthusiasm for e-bikes

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 17

TMS News

diary@thetimes.co.uk | @timesdiary Mystery of mummy
stashed in the attic

Johnson takes house of correction every time he saw food, he ate it. Mario Ledwith that the brain had been removed, the
“And always have a spoon to share teeth well worn and the tongue well
French leave A holiday home owned by the Kray dessert,” the agent added, “because Those with something to hide are preserved.
brothers has gone on the market for he will never order his own but will often asked if they have any skeletons
On the day Boris Johnson was the first time in more than 30 years. definitely want some of yours.” in the closet. Yet for one man in Rams- James Elliott, senior radiographer at
forced out, his father, Stanley, was The Brooks in Bildeston, Suffolk, gate in Kent the question should Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS
exploiting his freshly gained French was bought by the gangsters in 1967 Barry Humphries briefly thought he perhaps have been: “Any mummies in Trust, said: “During the Victorian times
citizenship. “My new passport lost for £11,000. They knew the area still had it. The Australian comedian the attic?” items like this used to be brought back
its virginity the same day as my well, having been evacuated to writes in The Oldie that he was from Egypt as souvenirs and may well
son, the chief architect of Brexit, nearby Hadleigh during the war, recently approached in Claridge’s by The family of a man who had died have been passed down through gener-
resigned,” Stanley tells Paris Match, but sold it soon after when a an attractive young student who were shocked when they were clearing ations to the person who owned it.”
“which is quite ironic.” Johnson change in circumstances meant wanted his autograph and seemed to his house and found the decapitated
père, right, was in the Loire at the they couldn’t easily escape to the be after more. As he scribbled his head of a mummy among his posses- Elliott said mummification was com-
time visiting the chateau of some country. name all fantasies were dashed, sions. mon in ancient Egypt among common-
newly discovered French cousins. however, when she told him: “My late ers and royalty alike as a way to safe-
Stanley says he regrets that his new feeding frenzy grandmother was a big fan of yours.” The head, thought to be at least 2,000 guard the spirit in its journey to the
citizenship can’t be automatically years old, was found in the attic. It is afterlife. “The ancient Egyptians be-
handed down to his children, but When Mims Davies became MP for peer living in sin thought it was brought to the UK as a lieved that a person’s mind was held in
suggests they could always join the Mid Sussex in 2019 she had big souvenir in the 19th century. their heart and had little regard for the
Foreign Legion. He adds that he trousers to fill. She succeeded Sir As a life peer for a mere 25 years, brain,” he said.
fancies going into French politics Nicholas Soames, who was never Lord Steel of Aikwood admits to not Unsure what to do with the discov-
now he has a passport, saying that knowingly underlunched, and told feeling like a “real lord”. At a delayed ery, the family passed it to experts, who Experts from Canterbury Christ
if Emmanuel Macron can form a the Commons this week that she retirement dinner on Thursday, the are using scanning technology to create Church University, University of Kent
party called On the March he was given some advice by his agent former Liberal leader, 84, said when a 3D replica of the mummy’s head. and University of Oxford are trying to
might lead one called In Retreat. on how to win his support. “If you he first went to the Lords he got into reconstruct the history of the mummy.
order scampi and chips, get spare conversation with a hereditary peer The object, which did not have any
As a former senior Labour spin scampi,” the agent said. Soames at who lived in Surrey. “With a name wrappings, has been inherited by CT scans use x-rays to create
doctor, Patrick Hennessy knows how the time was on a seafood diet: like yours you must have some the brother of the man detailed images of the inside
to polish a story. He bragged to a Scottish connection,” Steel asked. in whose house it was of the body.
journalist this week that his recent His companion lowered his voice. discovered. The man has Craig Bowen, of Can-
displays in five-a-side football have “Yes, but we left in rather a hurry.” not been identified. The terbury Museums, said
brought him to the attention of Steel wondered what scandal he had brother took it to Can- little was known of the
Chelsea. “I drew comparisons with forgotten. “You see,” this peer went terbury Museums and head’s provenance,
Franz Beckenbauer,” he said, in on, “we were implicated in the Galleries, with initial other than that it had
reference to the former German murder of Lord Darnley.” Though it tests being carried out been acquired by the
captain. “Mind you, he is 76.” had been 430 years, he was clearly by Canterbury Christ man from a “Dr
worried someone bore a grudge. Church University. Coates” in the early to
They suggested it was mid 20th century.
patrick kidd the head of an adult
female. The preserved head is now

A secondary CT scan carried being inspected by university
out at Maidstone hospital indicated
researchers to reveal its secrets

18 Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

News

Pester power means
toy shops back in play

Andrew Ellson local high street,” she said. “People also Poet who always made
want that shopping experience and kids time for his Neighbours
Consumer Affairs Correspondent want to touch and feel things rather
than have to look at them on a screen. Over 37 years poetry dealing with class perspicacious remarks that distinguished poets
Tales of doom and gloom on Britain’s Also, kids don’t like having to wait for and almost struggle, set a deadline of and observations with a and other visitors to the
high streets are ten-a-penny as stores their toys and I think we benefit from 9,000 5.25pm for any activity to distracted ‘Yes’ and absent house would find it
close down and once-familiar names that.” episodes, allow him to watch the nodding of the head,” annoying to have the
disappear, but “pester power” and latest goings-on in Humphries writes. “I convivial afternoon tea so
parental worries over product safety There are about 600 toy shops in Neighbours Ramsay Street. would glance at my watch brutally interrupted and
are pushing a revival in toy shops. Britain, down from 900 five years ago, amassed a following that and realise that the time one of them even
but now that trend is reversing. Even included the pop star Humphries, who was 5.25pm . . . I was told grumbled, ‘Darling
The Toy Retailers Association Toys “R” Us is set to make a comeback Sinitta and the novelist married Spender’s
expects the number of bricks-and- by reopening stores in Britain: the and critic Clive James daughter Lizzie, writes
mortar toy stores to increase by 10 per American brand is now owned by (Jack Malvern writes). that “few would dare” to
cent over the next two years after a WHP Global, an investment firm that call upon Spender early in
“bumper” year of trading. last year signed a licensing agreement Perhaps the most the evening.
with Toys “R” Us Australia and New incongruous, however,
Alan Simpson, chairman of the Zealand to run “digital and physical was Sir Stephen Spender, “On occasion I would
association, said that toy stores were retail commerce” for the brand in the the poet. find myself at his house in
benefiting from having the “wow UK. The company has already started St John’s Wood having tea
factor” that children love and the recruiting before its relaunch, although Barry Humphries, best with him at the Formica
“focus on safety” that parents want. no date has been set. known for his alter ego kitchen table, and while
Dame Edna Everage, deep in a satisfying
He said: “There are many others in The Toy Retailers Association recalls in Saturday Review discussion about the ghost
retail suffering, but toy stores have expects most of the expansion of stores today that his father-in- stories of Elizabeth
done very well in the past couple of to be from existing chains rather than law would become Bowen, I would notice a
years. People love having a local toy new independent retailers. The biggest agitated if he was denied shifty look coming into
shop and seeing children’s eyes light up chains at present are Smyths, The his daily dose of the the poet’s eyes, a tendency
when they come in and see the range of Entertainer, Toytown and Toymaster. Australian soap opera. to respond to my
toys on offer.
Clive Black, a retail analyst at Shore Spender, known for
“Parents also love the fact we are very Capital, a broker, said: “We’ve seen a
hot on safety. We are hyper-vigilant. contraction in online participation that
Sadly, online has rogue elements that I think is deeper than just pandemic
have got involved and bogus toys have normalisation and the optimal business
surfaced.” model in retailing, both grocery and
non-food, does involve a store.
Vicky Brown, 48, who owns the Just
Williams chain of two toy stores in “It’s not an either/or, it’s the multi-
south London, said that her sales were channel approach. I think the long-
up by between 12 per cent and 22 per term future of retailing in the UK is one
cent so far this year on pre-pandemic where stores are up front and centre.”
levels.

“I think people want to support their

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 2GM 19

SOPHIE BASSOULS/SYGMA VIA GETTY IMAGES News

Neighbours starred Jason Calls for masks on trains
Donovan and Kylie Minogue. and ferries to curb Covid
Sir Stephen Spender, left,
and Barry Humphries, below

in Sir John Betjeman, the Fariha Karim although later it claimed the remark asking to review guidance with a view
only other poet he knew was an error. to moving back to universal mask-
well. “Betjeman regarded Transport companies are joining wearing for all staff.
6.30pm every evening as hospitals and NHS trusts in asking The number of people testing posi-
sacrosanct, for that was people to wear facemasks again. tive for the coronavirus in England Jackie Applebee, a GP in east
the time for Coronation peaked in March then fell back. This London, urged people to wear masks.
Street,” he said. Although face coverings in England month numbers began to rise again, She told LondonWorld: “It’s far from
are not required by law, some hospitals, with about one in seventeen people over. It’ll keep mutating and we’ll keep
Betjeman, poet laureate doctors’ surgeries and healthcare infected at present. getting new variants . . . but nobody is
from 1972 to his death in providers are asking patients and staff wearing a mask.”
1984, regarded Corrie as a to wear masks amid a rise in Covid The government suggests that
20th-century version of rates. people in England continue to wear Brittany Ferries said the move back
Charles Dickens’s The face coverings in enclosed spaces, but to masks was because it had a duty of
Pickwick Papers. Now passengers on trains, the there is no way of legally enforcing it. care to its mature passengers as cases
London Underground and ferries have rose in France and Britain. Transport
Kingsley Amis, the been asked to return to wearing masks. Last month NHS England said that for London said asking commuters to
novelist, adored Benny Brittany Ferries has been requesting it responsibility for infection control wear masks had been “a mistake”, and
Hill and The Bill. Peter since the first week of this month. C2C, decisions was a “matter for local dis- added: “If people want to wear masks,
Conrad, the literary critic, the rail operator, also has started to cretion”. The University Hospital they should, but there is no strong
likened a story of a cat encourage passengers to wear masks. Southampton NHS Trust said it had recommendation to do so.”
having cancer on an decided “to reintroduce mask-wearing
episode of Animal This week Transport for London . . . following a sharp rise” in Covid cases. C2C passengers said there had been
emailed travellers about updates, In Sussex, all NHS organisations have public address announcements asking
Hospital to King Lear. adding that “we continue to strongly reintroduced masks and NHS England them to wear masks. The operator did
Princess Margaret recommend” wearing a facemask, Midlands sent out a letter to providers not respond to requests for comment.
had such a fondness
for The Surge in infections begins to level off
Professionals,
Stephen, you are just the 1970s Eleanor Hayward ing and the increase in cases has started Omicron BA.2 wave. [But] we are seeing
mesmerised by all those crime show, Health Correspondent to level off. some uncertain trends in the latest data.
beautiful young bodies. that she It is too early to say if this most recent
It reminds you of your invited its The summer wave of the coronavirus In total 3.76 million people in the UK wave is starting to peak, but we will con-
time in Berlin in the stars Lewis appears to be peaking, with cases at the had the virus in the week ending July 13, tinue to closely monitor the data.”
Thirties.’ ” Collins and highest level since April. up from 3.5 million the week before.
Martin The ONS figures, based on testing a
Humphries recalls that Shaw to About one in 17 people are infected, Kara Steel, senior statistician for representative sample of the popula-
there was a similar trait Kensington the weekly Office for National Statis- the Covid-19 Infection Survey, said: tion, revealed that cases have started to
Palace to tics (ONS) infection survey found. “Infections have, overall, continued to fall in children and young adults but are
discuss it. However, hospital admissions are fall- increase in England, reaching similar increasing in over-50s.
levels to those seen in April during the
Barry

Humphries on an

unlikely Neighbours fan,

Saturday Review, page 4

20 Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

News

LIGHTMANPHOTOGRAPHER/TRIANGLE NEWS

Andy Murray
sells mansion
for £5 million

Catch of the day An osprey carrying its lunch near Aviemore. The birds are well adapted to hunting fish, with semi-transparent eyelids that help them underwater Stuart MacDonald

Sir Andy Murray has sold his former
home for almost £5 million after having
a new mansion built near by.

The two-times Wimbledon winner
put the property in Oxshott, Surrey, on
the market last year after moving with
his wife, Kim, and their four children.
The house has five bedrooms, a swim-
ming pool, cinema room, sauna and
gym. Records show it sold for
£4,950,000, £28,000 more than the
£4,922,000 Murray paid in 2009.

Murray’s new home is a few miles
away in Leatherhead. He bought a
house there, with a tennis court in its
28 acres of grounds, in 2016. The
Murrays initially built an extension
before deciding to demolish it and build
a new house in its place.

Murray, 35, has said he intends to
spend more time in Scotland when he
retires from tennis but would remain
living in the south of England as long as
his family were happy there.

Welby: I’ll stay on if it’s good for the church

Kaya Burgess next week in Canterbury. “I will cer- spiritual figurehead, seen as a “first Welby said he would “like there to be warned: “Exclusion from those will
tainly take advice and if my health is among equals”, for the Anglican Com- more awareness” among Church of leave the poorest parts of the world infi-
Religious Affairs Correspondent good and people are happy that I’m still munion, a grouping of independent England members that they are part of nitely further behind the richest parts
there, then I’ll still be there . . . it’s not Anglican churches with about 85 mil- a global family in the Anglican Com- of the world than they are now.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury has said about me and what pleases me. It’s a de- lion worshippers, particularly in the munion. He said it was time for the
that he will stay in post until he reaches cision that would be arrived at in poorest regions of the world. Welby body to “turn outwards after 30 years The next Archbishop of Canterbury
retirement age in 2026 if he remains in prayer, thoughtful consultation with said it is not an organisation with a [of] inward-looking” and said he wants will be chosen by a panel of 17 people,
good health and “people are happy” others, family, colleagues, friends.” “pale, male and stale bloke at the top”. “Anglicanism to be seen as the first of which will include five representatives
that he is still there. Church leaders from Rwanda, Nigeria the global Christian denominations from overseas Anglican churches after
The archbishop has spoken about his and Uganda, representing half the which is profoundly involved in helping a General Synod vote last week in-
The Most Rev Justin Welby, 66, will experiences of depression and said the world’s Anglicans, are boycotting the the poorest with a changing world”. creased this overseas contingent from
complete a decade in the role next job can be “gruelling”, but added: conference over moves by Anglican one to five.
spring. If he continues until he reaches “Every stimulating job is gruelling and churches in the US, Scotland and The archbishop said he hoped Angli-
70, the retirement age for clergy, in will have tough moments. But I am still Wales to conduct or bless same-sex can leaders would issue calls at the He called on Britain’s politicians to
January 2026, he will have reached enjoying myself enormously. It’s such a unions. They accused confer- provide “vision and imagination that
almost 13 years and be the longest-serv- privilege to do this job.” ence organisers of focusing on conference pledging to tackle cli- gives people hope” during the cost of
ing Archbishop of Canterbury in half a “peripheral matters about mate change and continue lead- living crisis.
century. The Most Rev Michael Welby will face a challenge when the environment and . . . dis- ing efforts for “reconciliation”
Ramsey, later Lord Ramsey of Canter- more than 650 Anglican archbishops advantaged communities”. in war-torn areas. Welby faced anger from Boris John-
bury, retired in 1974 after just over 13 and bishops from around the world, The Anglican Commu- son and Conservative ministers after he
years. Lord Williams of Oystermouth many with differing views on issues in- Welby said: “I’m concerned nion has set up a science com- said in his Easter sermon that the policy
was archbishop for ten years, the Lord cluding sexuality, gather for prayer and . . . We will miss them. We regret mission in Oxford to share new of deporting migrants to Rwanda could
Carey of Clifton and Lord Runcie for 11 talks at the first Lambeth Conference very much they won’t be there.” advances with poorer nations. not “stand the judgment of God”. He
and Lord Coggan for five. since 2008. The conference would have He said those leaders were still Welby said changes in science said that “the idea that I shouldn’t be
been held in 2018 but differences over welcome, but that only one three- and technology “will accelerate political is a nonsense”.
“It’s not about me, it’s what’s best for some of those issues were so deep that hour session in the two-week
the church,” Welby said in an interview it was delayed to 2020 and then held up conference would be spent over the next 30 or 40 years” and He refused to be drawn on who he
with The Times ahead of the Lambeth further by the pandemic. discussing sexuality. would support in the Conservative
Conference, a once-a-decade gathering Justin Welby says the job is leadership contest but said Britain
of global Anglican leaders that starts The Archbishop of Canterbury is the “needs that leadership that will give
gruelling but stimulating hope, particularly . . . to the poorest”.

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 2GM 21

News

‘Catch Me If You Can’ PR man winds up latest firm owing £150,000

Ben Ellery caption: “OK I could get used to this”. Paul Blanchard In May an insolvency petition was of the tub and locked doors. The agent
Three other businesses founded by fled bailiffs sent to lodged against the company. Also that listed the hot tub for removal to see if
A company founded by the public rela- Blanchard, host of the podcast series his home over month Blanchard posted a photograph payment would be forthcoming, the
tions mogul Paul Blanchard is being liq- Media Masters, have been liquidated. £13,000 he owed a from a cryptocurrency conference debtor called the police who advised
uidated owing £150,000 to creditors, former employee where Clinton and Blair were speakers. him they wouldn’t attend.”
while he posts photographs on social The Times can also reveal that bailiffs
media in the Bahamas with Tony Blair who were sent to his house to retrieve “This is a real life Catch Me If You Can. Another ex-client said: “In any other He was also exposed by this news-
and Bill Clinton. money he owed to a former employee What’s incredible is that his very busi- profession he’d have been disbarred.” paper in 2020 for making antisemitic
found him in his hot tub, before he ran ness is founded on providing reputation and homophobic remarks.
The firm, CEO PR Ltd, was founded inside his home and locked the door. management advice — yet every He was visited by bailiffs at home in
by Blanchard, 47, and has advised celeb- couple of years he’s embroiled in Milton Keynes on behalf of Allie Dick- Blanchard denies any wrongdoing
rities and politicians. Last year this newspaper revealed another horrendous scandal.” inson, his former editor-in-chief, whom and said that he resigned as director of
Blanchard, a former Labour parlia- a court ordered he pay £13,152 in wages. CEO PR Ltd in March. He said was ap-
Earlier this year while it was being mentary candidate, wound up another pealing against the ruling made in fa-
wound up Blanchard posted a tweet, company owing £300,000 to HMRC. The bailiff report said: “As the agent vour of Dickinson. He added he was in-
later deleted, from a beach, with the pulled up on the driveway the debtor vited to the conference by a client.
One former corporate client said: was outside in a hot tub, he jumped out

Gurus accused SUSANNAH IRELAND FOR THE TIMES

of sexually

abusing their

yoga students

Trainees are not being governing body, of failing to offer suffi- Clair Yates says the yoga community must confront the widespread allegations of sex abuse and grooming by teachers
protected from assault cient regulation and of not providing
by influential teachers, survivors of sexual offences with some- need to stop.” She said a long-held “He abused his power,” Shippey, was no guidance on what steps to take if
their union claims. where appropriate to report their cases. secret in the yoga community was that based in York, said. “He worked on me yoga teacher members abused their
By Will Humphries some senior male teachers abused their over several months and eventually I position. She said most people in any
Yates, 48, a member of the union’s positions of power when awarding trusted him and believed him.” class would not be BWY members.
When Clair Yates left the banking anti-sexual harassment working group, qualifications.
world to become a yoga teacher she said the governing body’s response had Shippey said clear boundaries had to Johns asked: “How can a complaints
thought she was joining an “ethical been “woefully inadequate”. “Teacher training courses can last be set — teachers should not be having procedure be fit for purpose if it is not
profession”. years and sometimes teachers are sex with their students. accessible? A transparent complaints
She said: “The BWY was awarded having multiple sexual relationships procedure should be the bare minimum
She soon discovered that the practice governing body status in 1995 but it’s a with students,” she said. “There have Another female yoga teacher, who for any ethical organisation.”
has been tolerating sexual harassment messy situation because there are other been cases where women have been did not want to be named, said that
and abuse by teachers and leaders for associations teachers can join and you groomed, the spiritual teachings have when she reported her experience of Diana O’Reilly, BWY chairwoman,
decades. “I get why people want to shut don’t need to be a member of an organi- been manipulated . . . women have been being groomed into having sex with a said the organisation had the “highest
their eyes,” Yates said. “No one wants to sation at all if you don’t want to. As long slowly moved along a path to serious teacher to her membership organisa- ethical standards for our training and
face this but we need to because if we as you are insured you can teach. ritualised spiritual and sexual abuse.” tion they “had no process, no protocol, accreditation courses”. She said the
don’t, we are complicit.” no resources and no boundaries”. body did not have the power to regulate
“It’s totally unregulated. There is a A survivor of this abuse, who wished the policies that private venues dis-
Police forces across the country are big opportunity for change but it feels to remain anonymous, told The Times: The YTU campaign, Safety & played or to create mandatory training
investigating at least five cases of sexual like the BWY doesn’t want to be that “The stakes were high. If I hadn’t gone Dignity at Work, a call to end sexual for other organisations.
abuse after the Yoga Teachers Union organisation that leads the change. through with it, I would have been violence, is urging all venues to have a
(YTU) received numerous reports soon shunned by the whole community.” clear and visible sexual harassment “What the BWY does is ensure our
after its creation in October 2020. “Currently if we are sexually har- policy in yoga studios and gyms. teachers and those training with our
assed at work as yoga teachers we have Gillian Shippey, 50, a yoga instructor accredited associations understand
“We have had 39 separate members nowhere to turn, nowhere to report. We for 22 years, joined the YTU after seek- It wants awarding bodies to make their responsibilities towards their
make disclosures of sexual harassment are basically alone.” ing advice about having been groomed training in sexual harassment manda- students,” she said. “Should a complaint
and abuse and our membership is pret- and sexually abused more than 20 tory for all teachers and the governing be made about one of our teachers . . .
ty low,” Yates said from her home studio Yates, who has been a yoga teacher years ago while training to be a teacher. body and membership organisations to the BWY will launch an anonymous
in Sidcup, Kent. “Some members have since 2011, was sexually assaulted by a introduce clear reporting mechanisms. investigation. BWY has always had our
multiple disclosures. The cases range senior male teacher during continuing She was in her early twenties and the safeguarding details on our website for
from sexual assault during hands-on professional development training. male instructor was 20 years older than Hayley Johns, YTU secretary, said members and non-members.”
her. He is still running training courses. the BWY complaints procedure was
Pattabhi Jois “During the training a male teacher available only to its members. There
was alleged to came up to me without warning and
have been a put his hand under the leg I had to the
predator side and slid his hand on to my buttock
and so far that his finger tip was on my
assists [when teachers help anus,” she said.
students into positions],
going through to senior “My instinctive reaction was to
teachers having serial shout: ‘Oi! What is going on?’
coercive sexual rela-
tionships with people “His reaction was to say:
they are responsible ‘What are you on about? This is
for teaching, groom- a standard assist.’
ing and all the way up
to rape. “What is putting his fingers
up my butt crease going to
“Women are coming forward do anatomically to help my
to us in such numbers because positioning? In any other en-
there is nowhere else to go.
vironment that would be
“The union wasn’t set up considered sexual assault
to take disclosures. We but because it happens
thought we would be talking in a yoga classroom
about pay.” it is considered OK
amongst large parts
The union accuses the British of the yoga teaching
Wheel of Yoga (BWY), the national community.”
Since the death in
2009 of Pattabhi Jois,

founder of the Ashtanga yo-
ga practice, allegations
have emerged that he was
a sexual predator. He pop-
ularised many of the as-
sists that have become
common among teachers.

Yates said: “Now we know it
was sexual abuse these assists

22 Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

News

JCB family feud takes new twist ALAMY Woman, 27, is

Jonathan Ames Legal Editor Lord Bamford, who became a Tory life peer in 2013, is chairman of the JCB empire and estimated to be worth £4.32 billion charged with

Three members of the billionaire Bam- who oversaw the family business, and it first covered Richard’s advice to Mark Richard’s claim “must be dismissed”. fiancé’s murder
ford family behind the JCB empire have was agreed that a so-called buy-sell over negotiations with Lord Bamford The family row is not the first time JCB
clashed in a legal battle over its future. deal between the brothers would be and the judge was told that there was no has been involved in legal struggles. A woman who has been accused of
agreed, or that the corporate and family dispute over that fee. However, the The two brothers were previously stabbing her fiancé to death blew kisses
The decade-long row started over al- governance regime would be over- second “success fee” was payable “on involved in a dispute over the to her family yesterday when she
legations of lax corporate governance hauled. the completion of Project Crakemarsh”, ownership of JCB Research, which appeared in court charged with his
at the tractor and building-site equip- and a row broke out between Mark and between 2001 and 2010 donated about murder.
ment company, which was founded in The court was told that the sale of the Richard over whether it should be paid. £2 million to the Conservatives.
1945 by Joseph Bamford and has an company was considered to the point Blaze Wallace, 27, is accused of fatally
annual turnover of more than £4 billion. that it was referred to within the family In his ruling, the judge said that the Slaughter and May, the City law firm stabbing Samuel Mayo, 34, in south-
as Project Crakemarsh. At that time, agreement did not provide for a success that acted for Mark in the High Court west London.
Richard Bamford, 59, the cousin of Richard provided advisory services to fee if the JCB Group was not sold. claim, declined to comment on the
Lord Bamford and his brother, Mark, Mark. An agreement between the two Because the company was still owned result. Richard did not respond to a Police found Mayo with stab wounds
claimed that he was owed £2.6 million men provided for two payments. The by the family, the judge said that request for comment. on Lower Richmond Road, Mortlake,
for consultancy services. A High Court at 10pm on Monday. He was taken to
judge has now dismissed that claim on hospital, but died shortly after arrival.
the basis that the cousin’s “success fee” Wallace, of Richmond, was arrested
was only to be paid if the company had near the scene.
been sold.
She appeared in custody at
Mr Justice Jacobs came to that ruling Wimbledon magistrates’ court in south
after hearing a complicated saga in- London wearing a grey prison tracksuit
volving the running of the family com- and spoke only to confirm her name.
pany, which is based in Staffordshire. She was remanded in custody ahead of
a pretrial hearing at the Old Bailey on
Lord Bamford, 76, who became a Tuesday.
Conservative life peer in 2013, is JCB’s
chairman, having taken over from his As Wallace returned to the cells, she
father in 1975, when he was 30. He is es- blew kisses to members of her family
timated to be worth £4.32 billion. Mark, who were sitting together in court and
71, is a director of several branches of who left sobbing.
the JCB business and also sits on the
board of the Conservative Foundation, This week Superintendent Roger
a fund-raising group for the Tory party. Arditti, from the South West Com-
mand Unit, which covers Richmond,
The judge was told that there was a said: “I would urge anyone who was in
dispute over Joseph Bamford’s will after the area around the time of the murder
his death aged 84 in 2001. That wrangle and who saw anything they think could
was settled three years later and his assist the investigation to please get in
sons began negotiations over the touch.
ownership of JCB. In 2007 Mark raised
concerns over an alleged misuse of “You will also see local officers in and
corporate funds and weak corporate around the area. They are there to help
governance at the JCB Group. That and any residents who have concerns
triggered a meeting with the trustees should approach them and speak to
them.”

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 2GM 23

News

England’s ‘terrier’ is ready to roar

Match-winning scorer THE FA VIA GETTY IMAGES
Georgia Stanway will be
unstoppable if Lionesses
reach the Euro final,
writes Mario Ledwith

Kicking a football along the sideline as Euphoria recalled the joy of Euro 96 Next goal?
a four-year-old while her brother
played with his boys’ under-8s team on Kait Borsay just happened there? After the the bid was assembled by the FA Boots that
a Cumbrian playing field, Georgia Comment Holland game, strangers were four years ago women’s football was
Stanway’s desire to succeed was already hugging, voices wobbling from the in a different place. It’s grown actually fit
taking shape. It was a mass euphoria I had exuberance. As we left Wembley, we exponentially since then.
never witnessed before. The heard tales of old, games that had Molly Hudson
When a coach, sensing the young- disbelief, the entertainment, the come close but fans knew would The magic of following England at
ster’s eagerness to participate, invited frenzy as the goals went in at never quite compare. The crowd at this Euros is everyone’s welcome. As the European championship creates
her to join the group of older boys, she Euro 96 in England’s 4-1 win Brighton last week were equally The women’s game has always been millions of viewers for women’s foot-
was on the pitch before he knew it. over the Netherlands. It was my first blown away. more inclusive than the men’s, it’s a ball, budding female players may
major game of live football as a safe space whoever you are, struggle to find boots that fit them.
“I jumped in and never looked back,” spectator and it’s never quite been It hasn’t stopped there. In whatever you stand for. Nearly all boots for sale on the high
she said of the formative experience in the same since. Until last week, England’s dicey 2-1 win against Spain street are designed for male anatomy.
Barrow-in-Furness, with her “terrier” when, buoyed by the opportunity to in the quarter-finals, you could see Fans’ favourite “It’s coming home”
performances soon overwhelming watch England in the European the players sucking up the energy of was born at Euro 96 and at Brighton Fifa estimates there are 30 million
many of the boys. championship, I saw the Lionesses the crowd, again at Brighton, to help last week it swirled around the female players globally and wants to
annihilate Norway 8-0 in Brighton. see them through from a goal down. crowd as fresh as the first day it double that number by 2026. Yet the
As 9.1 million people nervously “Toone” ringing out from the stands aired at Wembley, encouraged by vast majority play in boots designed for
watched the Lionesses’ quarter-final on Both games passed by in a flash when Ella, the young Manchester fans attending their first major game. boys or men.
BBC One on Wednesday, it was Stan- and after each experience I knew I United star, was subbed on, and I hope they’ll be spared the 26-year
way who broke the stalemate, winning had just seen something special. The again when she scored the goal that wait to experience it all over again. Mainstream manufacturers do sell
the game against Spain with a strike exhilarated shock afterwards, what got the Lionesses back in the game. women’s boots, but many are simply
in extra time. She joked with team- Kait Borsay is a presenter for Times smaller versions of men’s boots. And
mates that the goal, which she has There has been some criticism Radio and co-founder of The Offside they are often more expensive.
struggled to remember amid the about the size of venues, but when Rule podcast
delirium, had established her as a “The system isn’t set up for women,”
“national hero”. Friends said the per- Georgia Stanway landing her promotional deals with to his own schedule, although he hopes said Laura Youngson, co-founder of Ida
formance epitomised a relentless will to companies such as Nike and EA Sports, to attend the final if England make it — Sports, which has created a boot cus-
succeed that developed in a male-dom- scored in extra the video games company. before the couple go on holiday. tom-designed for the female foot. “The
inated sport while growing up with industry term is ‘shrink it and pink it’.
three brothers. Stanway, 23, was shown time to send Although she has won plaudits from Friends say Stanway will be undaunt- ‘Let’s start with the man’s, whatever it is,
no special treatment as she played with stars such as Ian Wright, the former ed if England progress to the final. Such shrink it for women, slap pink on it and
her siblings, including her brother, England to the Arsenal star who sent her a message coolness is likely to serve her well if the sell it.’ ”
Wyll, 21, who plays for Chester FC in after the quarter-final, one of her desire to become a police officer after
the National League North. Euro semi-finals. biggest fans in the world of sport is her her football career is over comes to The differences between male and
boyfriend. Olly Ashall-Bott, 24, a rugby pass. England fans will be hoping the female feet include a wider toe box and
Graham Fraser, 60, a former youth She credits her league player who has been going out career change is some time off. a narrower heel cup in women. Ida’s
coach at Furness Rovers, her first club, with Stanway since 2018, described her boot has extra studs to support the in-
said that while it was highly unusual for mother and father, as a “hero” after Wednesday Falling in love with Wiegman, Sport ner foot. Many players, including the
a girl to play football in the town at the night’s game. The full back,
time, she was unperturbed. “When she left, with her who plays for Toulouse, said last England team, will wear
played with my lads, half of them year how he “looks up” to his girl- boots designed by big
wouldn’t even tackle her,” he said. “She transformation friend for inspiration in his own manufacturers such as Nike
was like a terrier. She was a little sporting career, which was hin- and adidas, under sponsorship
dynamo with bags of energy.” from a young fan dered by early injuries. deals.
However, some players in
Steve Liddicott, 69, the chairman of into a star of the The couple, who have a home in the Women’s Super League,
the club, who also coached Stanway, Widnes, Cheshire, will begin a England’s professional domes-
said: “She got the boys to raise their national side longer-distance relationship next tic division, have worn the Ida
game as she was always trying to prove year after Stanway’s recent transfer boot. They include Veatriki
that she was better than them.” female footballer, to Bayern Munich. Asked about their Sarri, a Greek international
her life changed at 16 future last year, Stanway said: “I’ve forward who has signed for
Her sporting drive partly derives when she was got trophies that I want to lift before I Brighton & Hove Albion. “It is
from her parents, both PE teachers, approached by lift any children up.” Ashall-Bott has not just a pink boot, it’s a boot
with the midfield player’s mother Manchester City. had to watch the Euros from afar owing designed to fit women’s feet,
Joanne a former athlete who repre- Over the next seven which is amazing,” Sarri said.
sented Great Britain at the youth years, she became
Olympics. Paul, her father, is a fan of the club’s all-time
endurance sports who describes him- leading goalscorer,
self as a “sportaholic”. winning seven domestic trophies. In
2019, she was the youngest member of
A close friend said: “She grew up in England’s World Cup squad.
quite a male and very, very competitive Her rise has taken place in parallel
environment. That’s one of the reasons with the growth of women’s football,
I think she is so aggressive at times on
the pitch.”

Stanway
credits her
parents, who
are separated,
with “sacri-
ficing their
lives” to fulfil
her rise in the
sport.

Devoid of
opportunities
to progress in
local all-girls
teams, at the
age of 11 she
joined Black-
burn Rovers
FC’s academy,
with her
parents under-
taking four-
hour round trips to Lancashire. The
schedule often left Stanway having to
do her homework on her lap in the car.

Having been unaware that a pro-
fessional career was an option for a

24 Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

News

GRAHAM HUNT/BNPS

Secret report tells
of bullying and
racism by judges

Fasta la vista Six Boris Johnsons appeared to be among the competitors in the RNLI raft race on the River Brit in Dorset Catherine Baksi a more consistently inclusive culture
throughout the judiciary”, including
Jonathan Ames Legal Editor training for leadership and fostering an
“inclusive working environment”.
Widespread allegations of bullying and
racism by judges are revealed in a secret Burnett has asked the Judicial Col-
report commissioned by the senior lege to develop training to help judges
judiciary. “understand better the impact of any
exclusive behaviours” and “encourage
Focus groups that included senior working practices and a working env-
judges cited examples of bullying and ironment in which judicial holders
“exclusionary behaviour,” according to from all backgrounds can thrive”.
a statement posted by the lord chief jus-
tice on the judicial intranet this week. Burnett said: “There is no place for
bullying in the judiciary and all report-
The research was commissioned this ed instances will be dealt with firmly
year by the judicial executive board, through the relevant policies.”
which includes the nine most senior
judges in England and Wales. The Times has previously reported
allegations made by judges of serious
Its results emerged after judges bullying and harassment. One judge
claimed to have been bullied or experi- said that the behaviour occurred on an
enced or witnessed sexual, racial and “industrial scale” and another said “the
class discrimination — some to such an casual racism and sexism among the ju-
extent that they felt suicidal or required diciary made me feel like an extra on
time off work, they said. [the 1970s sitcom] Love Thy Neighbour”.

For the latest research, an equality Last year, Claire Gilham, a district
consultancy was asked to “gain a better judge who said she was bullied, ignored
understanding of inclusion, bullying, and undermined, received a payout
harassment and discrimination issues”. from the Ministry of Justice for alleged
harassment and disability discrimina-
In what Lord Burnett of Maldon, the tion after a ten-year legal fight.
lord chief justice and most senior judge
in England and Wales, called a “frank Peter Herbert, a retired black judge,
appraisal of what they observed”, he settled a claim last year against the judi-
said the researchers “identified some ciary for bullying after being suspended
examples of behaviours described by over a speech he made in 2015.
participants in engagement groups
which amount to bullying”. Kaly Kaul QC, a crown court judge, is
suing the lord chief justice and the Min-
Burnett said the research also istry of Justice over claims that senior
“pointed to examples of exclusionary judges bullied her after she complained
behaviours that would not be classed as about “disrespectful” barristers appear-
bullying, but could nonetheless have a ing before her in a lengthy trial.
significant adverse impact on those
who experience them”. The Judicial Support Network was
launched last year by a group of judges,
These “incivilities or microaggres- including Kaul, and has alleged that
sions”, he said, “can be unintentional” bullying by senior judges often targets
and included “comments based on ster- ethnic minority and women judges.
eotypical assumptions about another
judge’s background, the mispronuncia- Last year, Emilie Cole, a solicitor at
tion or misspelling of names and groups the law firm Cole Khan, who acted for
that make others feel unwelcome”. Gilham, said her firm had heard of
many cases of “bullying, harassment
Burnett’s summary said that the [and] discrimination” from judges.
work was commissioned as “internal
research” and that the judiciary “do not A spokesman for the judiciary said
intend to publish the findings”. that office holders would be informed
of any action taken as a result of the
As a result of the report, he said, report.
“there is a need to take action to foster

Disabled drivers warned
over blue badges in Europe

Disabled British drivers have been had insisted they could not issue advice
warned about using their blue badges in to disabled drivers until an agreement
popular European holiday destinations was reached.
because they may not be accepted after
Brexit. Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at
the AA, said: “To keep blue badge users
Ministers are still negotiating with 11 in limbo is simply unacceptable. Blue
nations on the status of UK blue badges, badges are issued because of specific
which were recognised across the health reasons and to not have their
European Union until Britain left the status confirmed two years down the
bloc in 2020. line is simply outrageous. We would
encourage blue badge users to use
France, Spain, Portugal, Greece and drop-off and collection zones where
Italy are among countries “undecided” possible while the car is parked in a
about whether British blue badges will non-disabled bay. While problematic, it
be recognised, according to the UK reduces the risk of a vehicle being given
government website. The others are a ticket or towed away.
Iceland, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Luxem-
bourg, Romania and Slovenia. “While the government website asks
blue badge users to ask the consulates
The AA said the situation was “sim- for further advice on if their blue badge
ply unacceptable” and warned that dis- would be accepted, most could not pro-
abled drivers could leave themselves vide any assurances or advice to the
open to parking fines if they used their AA. The UK government and the 11
permits in those countries. European nations yet to ratify the sta-
tus of UK-issued blue badges need to
The government has told badge- resolve the matter urgently.”
holders to “check with the embassy of
the country you are travelling to for the The Department for Transport was
latest developments”. However, the contacted for comment.
motoring association said consulates

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 25

The scientists who are inventing Comment
a way out of climate change
Weekend essay
Pages 32-33

To win this fight, Sunak must make it personal

If the former chancellor’s ‘sound money’ message is to prevail he’ll need to drop the courtesy and rip Liz Truss apart

Matthew small-town shopkeeper, car dealer, completely English? I say “wonder”. ANTHONY HARVEY/SHUTTERSTOCK/REX FEATURES and Sunak would Penny Mordaunt’s
Parris borough councillor, café owner or They are persuadable. parliamentary backers have
self-employed contractor. A butcher’s Rishi Sunak trails in the polls but many preferred) but with the national
Believe nothing you hear grandson myself, I recognise this You may be surprised that despite Tory members are still undecided membership it’s now Truss’s to lose.
from rune-readers about the model of Tory: socially conservative, his service medals and her pearls, membership have no skin in this Sunak is the challenger. Against his
national membership of the irritable about public spending and Sir Robert and his wife are pretty game, and care more about who rather courteous instincts, he and his
Conservative party and its only roused to anything approaching wary about Truss and her pledge will be able to lead an effective and team will have to be merciless. Sunak
supposed opinions. Neither passion by local government red of immediate, unfunded tax cuts, successful government. I’ve already will need to go for her: go for her
the list of names nor even its size are tape. Let’s call them after my regardless of the economic weather. heard supporters expressing with all guns blazing, burning bridges
public knowledge. How accurate and grandparents: Frank W Parris After a decade on the magistrates’ irritation that the media keep talking and destroying all hope of
up-to-date the party’s London HQ (“High-class family butcher” it said bench Caroline is not unmindful of about choosing an election winner reconciliation. He must attack like
is with its records must also be over our shop in Penge, southeast the problems poverty brings. Neither rather than a good prime minister. there’s no tomorrow because if he
doubted: I continued to receive its London) and his wife, Frances. of the couple can put their finger on loses then for him and for his kind of
emails long after I resigned my own Frank belongs to the Masons, and it but they think there’s something Many (probably most) card- Tory there will be no tomorrow and
membership. I understand, too, that his application to join the Bromley distinctly odd about Truss, and carrying members honestly haven’t he might as well pack his bags and
there’s been a good deal of “churn” golf club is pending. they’re tilting Sunak’s way. They made up their minds yet, and it’s move on.
this year, throwing into question don’t care about either his wealth early days. They will genuinely listen,
confident claims that Tory Third, don’t overlook the Tory boys. or his race, and would if anything but what are their first impressions? This cannot avoid being personal.
membership stands at 200,000. Well-represented and in his (less feel proud if someone of Indian It may rip the Tories beyond healing,
It briefly did in 2021. Insiders think often, her) twenties or early thirties, heritage were to lead the party. I sense a weak but nagging but the split is an unbridgeable gulf
it has since dropped. he’s puppy-like in his adoration of a antipathy towards Sunak. The between conservatism and populism,
somewhat pantomime-dame idea of Crude stereotypes, I concede, but accusation that he “betrayed” his and someone has to win. Sunak
Nor should you accept the media Margaret Thatcher, and excels at in its membership the Tory party leader has registered. The charge is must forget all thoughts of the
caricature of a collection of puce- affectionate impersonations of her. is by no means homogenous, and rebuttable, so on the positive side a Clintonesque tactic, “triangulation”
faced retired brigadiers, and matrons He and his friends are very has a curious diversity all its own. Sunak charm offensive is called for. — trying to find a way of appealing
in Pringle sweaters and tight white accessible to pollsters: IT-literate and Whenever you hear about “Tory And on the negative side, he’ll need to Truss’s supporters without
perms. The party has its quotient social media-visible, he’s informed, activists”, always remember the to dismantle Truss. confronting their beliefs. Her
of these — let’s call them Sir Robert vast majority of Tory members are approach to economic management
and his wife Caroline (her MBE for Truss’s approach to anything but active politically and We’ll never know the final balance is daft and dangerous. There’s
charity and magistrates’ work). economic management notice the news only in passing. of MPs’ preferences (which of Truss no triangulating that.
Grandparents may outnumber is daft and dangerous As for being “grassroots”, we’d do
their grandchildren among the better to draw our metaphor from In this contest, the brigadier Sir
membership but average ages are unnaturally interested in politics, herbaceous borders. Robert (retd) and Caroline, Frank
only guesses, and an informed guess and often more radically right-wing and Frances, and young Connor, are
would put this in the high fifties. than his grandparents. I remember So whenever you hear claims to looking at two candidates, one of
Nearly a third of the British this type from my own days in know the mind of this strange tribe, them a steady and experienced
population are over 55, and some 40 politics. Let’s call him Connor. always remember Edmund Burke: grown-up, the other a seriously
per cent are 50-plus. In age terms, “Because half a dozen grasshoppers crazy careerist. She’s crackers. She’s
your average Tory member is not so Connor will be noisy for Liz Truss. under a fern make the field ring with reckless. Her ambition is boundless
very far off the national average. Frank and Frances like the sound of their importunate chink, whilst and her thinking only inches deep.
Truss too, and are tilting slightly her thousands of great cattle, reposed There’s no way to confront this
Yet age is not the only marker. We way, but Frances does Frank’s beneath the shadow of the British madness except head-on. The weeks
need to consider income and social bookkeeping and they’re both oak, chew the cud and are silent, ahead will be a cage fight. They
class too. So if we’re talking “typical” neuralgic about mortgages and debt. pray do not imagine that those who ought to be.
members, here’s another group that Rishi Sunak’s strictures against make the noise are the only
are neither wrinkled nor wealthy. socialist fairytales hit home with inhabitants of the field.” red box
Well-represented in “red wall” local them, as does the expression “sound
Conservative associations are the money”. They don’t mind him being Remember, too, that it is MPs For the best analysis
rich but (they privately wonder) is and not party members for whom
a brown person like this really, “winning the next election” may be and commentary on
the most pressing thing. Lose it, and
scores of them will lose their jobs, the political landscape
while all will lose the possibility of
ministerial office. But the national thetimes.co.uk/redbox

Carol Midgley Notebook

Hot weather Ypres, in a deckchair on bottoms. Sorry to sound all Mary Gulls will be gulls it up in a towel then rang around to
Blackpool beach wearing Whitehouse but no one wants to find a local seagull saviour. Good
is no excuse a suit, shirt and tie, the only AParis councillor believes rats woman. It’s now recovering. And
concession to summer his see wobbly, pocked are unfairly stigmatised and probably soon coming for your chips.
for ditching trousers rolled up to reveal buttocks when should be renamed “surmulots”.
a slim ankle (no one was choosing plums. I know this will be an equally Pussy riot
a suit and tie fat then). Around him unpopular view but I feel similarly
every man is similarly Sour faced about seagulls. Terrible acts of cruelty Finally I’m at one with Edwina
‘Poor Prince Charles” sighed attired. Heat was no excuse are visited on them because they’ve Currie. We both think pussy bow
the public as he visited to let standards slip. Skittles, those become a bit cocky. Some people blouses, as worn by Liz Truss
Cornwall in runway- tarty sweets that were outraged when firefighters copying Margaret Thatcher, are
melting heat wearing not Meanwhile, this make you gurn rescued a seagull caught in netting on hideous. Currie called them an “awful
only a full suit, tie, socks week I got the full, eye- like a bulldog licking a roof in Hereford. “Waste of look”, which “didn’t work in the
and shoes but cufflinks and a pocket bleeding “builder’s bum” a nettle, are “unfit for taxpayers’ money!” went the cry. Oh Seventies and Eighties and doesn’t
square. Others sniggered that this was experience from a man in human consumption” please. Wouldn’t you rather live in a work now”. Miaow! But she’s right.
typically “stuffed shirt” and he should baggy shorts walking his because they contain society that doesn’t watch a creature They are fussy, prissy affairs evoking
lighten up. It just made me nostalgic. dog. I’ll never unsee it. titanium dioxide, a slowly die to save a few quid? I know Mrs Slocombe. When women began
If only more dressed likewise. And “barefoot guys”, “known toxin” alleges many think seagulls are feathered getting executive jobs, they were the
Because Charles was channelling kicking off sandals and a US lawsuit. Ah well. thugs but I love their uppity swagger, female twist on the necktie, though
every 1950s northern grandad. There putting your dirty bare They’ve only been a even when they dive-bomb my ice with that toe-curling word. Ugh.
are old photos of my grandad Victor, trotters, like the gnarly hoofs children’s party staple cream. Humans have encroached Some US stores call them “secretary
who lied about his age to fight in the of a Sumatran rhino, on for the past 30 years. A hugely on wildlife habitat, so we blouses” which is equally reductive.
First World War and was injured at pub chairs — please, no. YouTube video shows a can’t complain when they return fire. But mostly I hate them because,
Lidl says its only dress man eating 5lb of sour unless you’re flat-chested, they make
code is that customers Skittles until the skin My friend, out “wild” swimming, you resemble an all-in wrestler.
must wear shoes. You mean peels off his tongue. That saw a seagull with a broken wing.
some don’t? I’ve seen women in said, you get the same effect “Ignore it; it’ll be dead by morning,” @carolmidgley
Asda wearing G-string bikini with pickled onion Monster said a fellow swimmer. She scooped
Munch and I find them delicious.

26 Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

Comment

Oh gosh, darling, must you speak like a local?

It starts with the little things, like pants and poop, and before you know it your expat kid sounds like a Brooklyn gangster

Will that they might do it like Americans Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood seemed just that he had an English accent. little more impressionable, still
Pavia inspire such particular horror? Teachers would speak of it with has the ghost of an English accent
If they all developed Scottish to spend the Crusades in California baffled amusement and I would feel and must sound, I suppose, like
@willpavia accents, you wouldn’t mind at all. pride, akin to the feeling a new Katharine Hepburn in The
Or if they all began to sound faintly It is the prospect of global father has when someone says the Philadelphia Story.
If you’re an expat raising children Scandinavian, like tiny UN hegemony in the kitchen. It is all the baby looks just like him.
in the United States, there’s one secretaries-general, that would be exported television shows and films At least I think he does. The
thing that really fascinates and fine too. Very unexpected, but fine. and ideas, the arguments from An old friend from Utah, meeting strange thing is that I can’t really
horrifies the folks back home. college campuses that hopscotch the kids for the first time in a while, tell. I can’t hear it. My siblings do
Even more, I think, than the Recently the actor Cillian Murphy across the Atlantic and somehow looked at me as if I was Henry impressions of them, making them
prospect of the little darlings told an interviewer that he had become ours too. It’s one thing Higgins in Pygmalion, with a little sound like characters from Gossip
cowering under their school desks moved his family back to Ireland when it’s on Channel 4. It’s quite band of Elizas. “You should write a Girl, and I don’t know what they are
in the obscene ritual known as because his children had developed another when America is banging book,” she said. “On how to raise talking about. Your children loom so
an active shooter drill, there’s the very posh English accents. He didn’t about in your home, eating your children in New York and have
thought that Giles and Lucia like it. I imagine the kids looking up everything in the fridge. them all sound British.” Initially it was a success.
might grow up with an American at him as he clutched the car keys No one in New York
accent. This is really the most and saying: “Must we go, pater? This must be what drove me to I would do it too, though even understood our eldest
appalling prospect of all. What a terrible bore.” His feelings for alter words in bedtime stories, then the game was up. There had
received pronunciation presumably installing pavements and car been some notable setbacks. The large in your life, their personalities
With it comes a vision of what life correspond to an Englishman’s bonnets. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom word “poop”, for instance. Whenever like planets, so enormous that you
would be like. You’re sitting there twitchiness about his offspring didn’t even rhyme the way I told it. I heard my offspring saying it, as can’t see round them.
having a cup of tea and an imported becoming fully formed Americans. But at least we weren’t saying pants they started to do continually, I felt
Hobnob, when a voice cries: “Gee when we meant trousers. a piece of my soul shrivel and die. It’s a bit like seeing Kevin Costner
willikers, pops, I gotta have three A friend of mine from I felt a kinship then with my father, in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and
bucks for a cream soda.” Lincolnshire, who is raising kids in With our eldest, initially it was a man who worried that all of his not quite noticing or minding that
Chicago, has both feelings at once a roaring success. No one in New progeny would start speaking as if the hero sounds as if he spent the
Then their friends are there, and finds himself fighting a battle York could understand him. A they came from the wrong side of Crusades in southern California.
hollering and buddy-boying each on two fronts: to keep his children’s paediatrician told us he had a speech the A3. The point of no return, for It is Kevin Costner, you say to
other like the cast of West Side Story vowels northern and flat, and to delay and needed therapy. But it was him, was the thought that we might yourself. He is Robin Hood. Of
while you stand alone, smiling say “toilet” instead of “lavatory”. course he is. It’s fine. It actually
pleasantly like the foreign exchange I felt a kinship with my It pushed him to extremes. “I would works rather well: all those speeches
student in the school staff room, the father, who worried rather you said shithouse than about one free man defending
speech by the banished Duke of we would say ‘toilet’ toilet,” he would tell us. Now his land sound better with an
Norfolk in Richard II echoing in your here was I, dying on the same American accent.
head: “The language I have learn’d fend off the inevitable advance of scatological hill.
these forty years, my native English, America in their voices. So it is with your children. How
now I must forgo. And now my For steadily, of course, I was they got here, what they really sound
tongue’s use is to me no more than For him it’s partly about alienation overwhelmed. America like, how the rest of the world sees
an unstringed viol or a harp.” — the thought that he has strayed so overwhelmed me. The younger them: you only have the vaguest idea
far from where he came. But it’s also children were the first to go. It about all these things. They are the
I mean, it’s not quite as bad as that. about American soft power, isn’t it? seemed, each time, that their heroes in your story now and you
The duke had to go to Venice and It must be, because the French in personality had a lot to do with can only watch, enthralled, as they
mingle with Italians. Your progeny New York have it too. For them, an it. The middle child is the sort of take over the woods.
are at least speaking a form of American accent in their children is fellow who stares longingly at
English. Why does the thought properly terrifying: worse, even, than pick-up trucks, driven by bearded Will Pavia is New York correspondent
a well-cooked steak or the thought men in Yankees caps — he seemed
no one else is sleeping with their wife. almost from the start to talk as if Giles Coren is away
he was raised by a street gang in
Brooklyn. The eldest, who is a

Miriam Darlington Nature Notebook

Domestic weeks old, were now being coached its kingdom of salt-spray and The waters around Lundy are home to nine-metre tidal range, nutrient-rich
in seafaring survival. meadows, the green and gold of its waters positioned where estuarine
bliss follows grassy flanks visible on the eastern many corals including the pink sea fan waters meet the Atlantic — Lundy
Guillemots, below, spend their approach, and higher up, its peaty became the UK’s first marine nature
a quick life whole lives at sea and only frequent moorland and shivering cotton grass, “lund” is old Norse for puffin, and reserve and first marine conservation
the rocky coastline when it’s time to like a tiny version of Dartmoor. “ey” means island. Puffin Island. zone. As a recognised protected area,
on the ledge breed. The youngsters, who a short People only came later and Bronze it’s a successful blueprint for how we
time ago were tucked on ledges in From the aquamarine depths a Age remains show this place has been could and should be caring for the
It was already scorching when we their pear-shaped eggs, were still dark-wet head snoozily bobbed, its important to humans for millennia. precious marine habitats that wrap
boarded the MS Oldenburg in coated in their soft pre-adult whiskered nose tipped skyward, the spectacular archipelagic coasts of
Ilfracombe on the north Devon plumage. Some seemed alone, bottling in the gelatinous water. The waters around Lundy are the British Isles.
coast. We were heading for the looking around nervously. Had they Another Atlantic grey seal peered, especially inviting for wildlife —
tiny island of Lundy. Three miles lost their parent? But each time the glistening in the gurgly tidal race. several jellyfish pulsed into view as Pod casts its magic
long and half a mile wide, this male resurfaced from the fishing Lundy’s peak population is now 250 we watched, their deceptively gentle
granite outcrop sits where the Bristol deep-dive that is the most impressive of these hulking beasts, the guide tresses floating in the teal-deep Leaving, we looked back at the
Channel meets the Atlantic. The among all our seabirds. They can told us. Unusually friendly here, waters with their translucent, rocky fastness, the towering heft
sky was bright as beaten zinc. dive to a maximum of 180m but that the seals can sometimes become patterned bodies and threatening of the cliffs, and swore to come
Sun-dazed, enduring the heat is an extreme, the Lundy warden playful with divers, initiating games stings. Moon jellies, compass and back. As the sun beat down on our
and craving cool from the limp Rosie later told me. There were the of fin-pulling and kiss chase. Seals blue jellyfish inhabit these precious, return to the mainland all eyes
breeze, we crawled westward on low-skimming Manx shearwaters should never be approached, and so waters which are also internationally sleepily gazed on the pinkening sky
our faithful old craft. I wanted encounters like these should always important for corals — rare and and sea. Then something jinked,
dolphins, and scoured the and our biggest seabird, the be on the seals’ terms. unusual sunset, scarlet and gold cup breaking the water’s surface. The
velvet calm with my gannets, and the odd corals, and fragile pink sea fans that quick gleam of a dorsal fin, and
binoculars: I found only Sea of wonders can survive up to 50 years. another, and another. There they
guillemot pairs, devoted razorbill, but for the dramatic were at last: slender, jumping clear,
dads bobbing alongside mix of diving charisma and Ashoal of little, long fishes Due to its unique conditions — the their glassy pattern of silver-grey and
their newly fledged domestic devotion, the guillemots swirled around us, also gold sides gleaming with sky and
youngsters. The juveniles, unafraid. Sand eels, I realised ocean. A whole pod of dolphins.
who each had recently were my most beloved. later, the main food item of many of Shining, playing and diving, they
performed death-defying When the snaggle-tusks of our seabirds, especially the puffins accompanied us home, emblazoning
plummets from their who nest here each summer. The themselves deep in our streaming
crowded cliff-edge the island’s 400ft cliffs loomed sand eels are essential puffin food, eyes.
colonies at just three nearer, and towered yet squishy enough to feed the single
higher, the idea crept upon me pufflings in their burrows, packed in Miriam Darlington’s most recent book is
that I had unfairly judged this beakfuls of ten, 20 or more. Lundy is
15 million-year-old granite bulk named after these puffins, who must Owl Sense
in the sea. I had thought it have been breeding on the windy
wouldn’t live up to expectations, Atlantic cliffs on the west-facing side @MimDarling
but there is always something of the island for thousands of years:
magnetic about islands, and the

smaller the better.
Approaching, we could smell

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 27

Comment

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Soldiers should not be buying sex anywhere

The MoD is right to ban troops from foreign brothels but using prostitutes at home or abroad is inherently abusive

Janice mentioned in military histories. sexual needs? But as the defence Haiti to Sierra Leone, its Sarah Everard’s killer, Wayne
Turner Their purpose was to keep the troops secretary, Ben Wallace, says: “Life peacekeeping forces have been Couzens, a prolific punter who
biddable. Besides, with a cadre of has moved on, it is a different implicated in sex scandals. In the paraded escorts to his police
@victoriapeckham designated women to rape, it was generation”. 1990s blue helmets were found to colleagues, tried to book a prostitute
hoped soldiers might leave civilians frequent brothels in Bosnia and just after he’d disposed of Sarah’s
For centuries brothels were alone and not catch venereal disease. Indeed it would be hypocritical Kosovo staffed by trafficked women, body. Read any review on “punter”
part of military planning, for the government not to act. After and in Cambodia where girls were websites where men rate women’s
prostitution seen as an The British Army approach was Oxfam was involved in a series of sex under age. Peacekeepers in the bodies, obedience and enthusiasm,
auxiliary service, vital for the less formal: tolerate but don’t abuse scandals following the 2010 DRC were found to have bought marking them down if they balk at
men’s morale. The French condone men who far from home Haitian earthquake, including sex with two eggs from their ration painful demands.
army had Bordels Militaires de might line up outside “red lamp” trading sex for basic supplies and packs. In Liberia, a 2016 report
Campagne, trailer trucks each knocking shops in the Somme. Even hiring locals for staff orgies, it was found half of women in Monrovia The question is not why soldiers
containing ten women which in this decade, it turned a blind eye denied UK aid contracts. When had turned to prostitution, with should be banned from foreign
followed battalions servicing, in to hundreds of troops deployed to further Oxfam scandals emerged in 75 per cent of clients being brothels, but why only abroad. What
order of rank, soldiers who’d line up Kenya for hot weather training the Democratic Republic of Congo peacekeepers. UN presence was prostitution is not a “sexual activity
with a ticket, a condom and a towel. having sex with prostitutes through (DRC) the ban remained. How can it debasing a whole community. that involves the abuse of power”? In
chain-link fences or taking a brace Germany’s legalised super-brothels,
In France’s colonial campaigns of girls off to £10-a-night hotels. Research shows trading It is almost 20 years since the UN women, many trafficked from
these mobile units were staffed by money for consent secretary-general Kofi Annan Romania or Africa, must sleep with
young Algerian or Vietnamese When Agnes Wanjiru, a reduces empathy announced peacekeepers should be six men a night before they’ve even
women, sold by relatives into hairdresser driven into sex work “discouraged” from engaging in paid their brothel rent. It is not a
servitude. The Japanese imperial to feed her baby, was killed and be wrong for charity workers to sexual relations with locals they “job like any other” if basic health and
army rounded up “comfort women” stuffed into a septic tank, squaddies exploit vulnerable women but fine are supposed to be assisting, since safety — from avoiding contact with
in occupied Korea or China, local at a British base in Kenya covered for British soldiers? there is an “inherently unequal bodily fluids, unwanted touching or
girls who believed they were to up the death, then laughed about it power dynamic”. Not that Annan’s even violence — cannot be enforced.
become nurses. Throughout the on WhatsApp groups. The army The Oxfam scandal exposed the words stopped the abuse. But it is The vast majority of prostitutes are
Second World War Germany had its washed its hands and the murder sexual impunity of staff at many right that the British Army is now not swinging Belle de Jours but were
official military brothels stocked with remains unsolved. NGOs operating in developing pledging the same. abused as children, lured in by pimp-
pretty Polish or Russian girls nations. There is something boyfriends and muffle their pain
snatched off the street. It took this scandal, brilliantly particularly grotesque about a Inherent in the tolerance of with drugs or alcohol.
exposed by Sunday Times journalists, western aid worker, high on his soldiers buying sex is the belief it
These women, who were to bring the British military into the own virtue, bartering with a young prevents rape, as if prostitutes are Ben Wallace is right: this is a new
brutalised, forced to have sex with 50 #MeToo era. The MoD has mother after a natural disaster: sleep a buffer zone, dehumanised to generation. It is time that the Nordic
men a day, made pregnant and then announced that from now on it will with me and here’s a box of baby protect virtuous women. But model, which decriminalises sex
ostracised by their families so they prohibit “all sexual activity which milk. But is it any better if money research shows men who buy sex work but makes buying it a crime and
could never return home, are rarely involves the abuse of power, is traded instead? are more likely to rape: trading has been adopted in France, Ireland
including buying sex while abroad”. money for consent reduces empathy, and Sweden, is debated in parliament.
The United Nations classes such makes a man believe only his No man should have impunity when
This has been met with much prostitution as exploitation. From pleasure counts and increases buying a woman’s body, whether out
derision: how can it be policed, why his likelihood of partner abuse. on a stag night or serving his country.
should “consensual” acts be subject
to court martial, what about men’s

28 Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor should be sent to
letters@thetimes.co.uk or by post to
1 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9GF

The political heir to Margaret Thatcher Sources of news

Simon Case’s future Sir, Your review of Liz Truss’s stages, one far from the mutual Governments are not magic money Sir, Your leading article (“Bad News”,
comments as a “Remainer” and the respect and lack of public rancour trees, which, thankfully, Rishi Sunak Jul 21) makes an important point
Sir, You report that Simon Case present realities is most timely prevalent when, from the 1950s to seems to have realised. about the value of trusted news from
would be following “the practice of (“Six years on, do this recovering 1970s, I was an active Tory member. Rosemary Heaversedge traditional outlets, such as some
his predecessors“ if he offered his Remainer’s prophecies hold up?”, John Kidd Shrewsbury, Shrops newspapers and broadcasters. While
resignation to Liz Truss or Rishi report and analysis, Jul 22). She is Surfers Paradise, Australia the relationship between the BBC and
Sunak. (“Case expected to stay as trying to position herself as the Sir, It is hardly surprising that the newspapers has its ups and downs, I
cabinet secretary — but not for very “heir to Thatcher”, but as a member of Sir, I note that both candidates to be Conservative Party has totally lost its think we all agree that the positive
long”, report, Jul 22). I cannot speak the Conservative Party when prime minister are keen to stress that philosophy and direction. We have impact to democracy proper
for all my successors but I did not Margaret Thatcher moved into No 10 they would return us to the values of had several years of an “enthusiastic journalism delivers is incalculable.
offer my resignation to John Major or I remember a brutal honesty about the Thatcher era. Neither has amateur” running the country — a
Tony Blair when they became prime the economic situation with tax cuts mentioned a key aspect of her time in parvenu from the left of the party Ofcom’s research focuses on the
minister. Nor, I believe, did my only after several tough years. Too office: the quality of the cabinet. I who threw his lot in with a right wing platforms young people consume
predecessors, Sir Burke Trend, Sir many of those in parliament seem disagreed with just about everything that is led by dogma rather than by news on. It is less vocal about what
John Hunt or Sir Robert Armstrong more concerned, as Boris Johnson they stood for and tried to achieve but pragmatism. Reducing tax has never they are consuming once on those
in similar circumstances. One of the was, in believing illusions about the I hope we can return to appointing been a fundamental principle of Tory platforms. Here there is some good
advantages of our system, unlike that past than in accepting reality. The cabinet ministers based on their philosophy, though the “small state” is news: for example, BBC News has
of the United States, is that an reality is that Brexit is nowhere near ability, not their loyalty to the leader. an aspiration. Margaret Thatcher and more than 180,000 followers on
apolitical civil service provides “done”. Our economy is being Chris Guy Winston Churchill must be turning in TikTok and 22.3 million on Instagram.
continuity and experience when the hammered by world events but also Reading, Berks their graves at the cavalier manner in The need for trusted, reliable and
political leadership changes. In by the collapse in sterling since the which their names are invoked. impartial news has never been greater.
present circumstances, Mr Sunak or Brexit vote and will suffer further if Sir, Margaret Thatcher spoke of a Dr N P Hudd Traditional outlets have an important
Ms Truss would be unwise to daft, unfundable policies are pursued. bigger cake and everyone getting a Tenterden, Kent role and the challenge is to ensure we
dispense with the services of Mr Case. Colin Fuller bigger slice. Today there seem to be deliver news to young people in ways
Apart from anything else, he will be Bishop’s Cleeve, Glos fewer, very large slices and, for many, Sir, Whatever one thinks of Liz Truss’s that are most accessible to them.
able to help them to avoid the only crumbs. This is a situation that candidacy one has to note her novel Jonathan Munro
mistakes of their predecessor. Sir, James Forsyth argues appals many in the middle wanting a approach to politics. Her criticism of Interim director, BBC News and
Lord Butler of Brockwell convincingly that of the two fairer redistribution of wealth. The the economic policies of her party Current Affairs
Cabinet secretary, 1988-98 Conservative leadership candidates spectacle of politicians chasing votes since it regained power in 2010 in
House of Lords Rishi Sunak has the greater claim to by offering tax cuts is unpalatable to effect writes Sir Keir Starmer’s first Yes minister
be Margaret Thatcher’s political heir many in all parties. It is time to point general election campaign speech,
School funding (“If Tories want a Thatcher it has to out that if one values living in Britain and the repeat of Jeremy Corbyn’s Sir, Yes Minister was a brilliant
be Sunak”, comment, Jul 22). Yet, just and feels it is a country in which one 2019 promise of massive borrowing comedy series, not a documentary
Sir, The Department for Education, in as importantly, his contribution is an would want the next generations to certainly differs from the staid self- (letter, Jul 22). In 17 years in the
the last week of term, after all school example of the kind of civilised live, people need to stop making justification invariably presented by Treasury I never once heard an
budgets for next year have been political debate needed in such an demands and, rather, consider how party politicians. official suggest pursuing a policy
approved by their governing bodies, in-party contest. I was saddened by they might tighten their belts and help Sir Michael Pepper other than that laid down by
has announced that there is to be a the bitterness displayed in the earlier to contribute to a better future. London W1 ministers. No historian has ever
5 per cent pay increase for teaching provided evidence to the contrary, to
staff. I am delighted for the teachers: Childhood obesity The dentist’s chair Our great athletes my knowledge. Let’s keep the
they deserve every additional penny programme for entertainment alone.
(letter, Jul 22). Sir, Imperial College London is right Sir, Your article “Dental check-ups Sir, Jake Wightman’s victory in the Dr Craig Pickering
to call for regulations to cap junk food every two years to improve access” World 1,500m championship London W4
Could someone please tell me how, in school lunches (report, Jul 20). As (Jul 20) mentions a proposal for (reports, Jul 20, 21 & 22), together
with no additional funding from the the cost of living crisis bites, now is dental therapists to carry out fillings with a series of other impressive Punching the ball
DfE, schools are to pay for this? the perfect time to make bold changes on patients as a possible solution to performances by British
While the secretary of state claims and ensure the healthiest food is most the problems in NHS dentistry. Most middle-distance runners, has had Sir, Punching a football rather than
that the funding has been provided available to our children. Our work in dentists would roll their eyes in people recalling the 1980s, when this heading it (letters, Jul 21 & 22) would
within the £4 billion of additional south London has shown us that despair at this half-cocked plan. It country dominated these events. destroy the beautiful game. The
funding included as part of the 2021 schools have a vital role to play. So takes four and a half years’ training to Seb Coe, Steve Ovett and Steve Cram answer is for a manufacturer of
spending review, the DfE’s failure to here is the opportunity: better become a dentist, followed by a year are always rightly mentioned. Too headgear to invent a suitably padded
introduce a national funding formula training for school kitchen teams to as a probationer. For how long would often Peter Elliott is not. In 1987 he skull cap.
at school level means some schools procure and prepare healthy and tasty therapists be trained to do this job? took the World Championship 800m Eric Ickinger
will have an increase in funding per food, and stronger accountability Under whose auspices? Will they be silver medal and in the 1988 Felixstowe, Suffolk
11 to 16-year-old pupil of less than mechanisms to ensure school meals able to identify possible pathology? Olympics he was the best-placed
1 per cent. We are one of those meet the School Food Standards. Briton in the 800m, when he was Bin overload
schools, with an increase of 0.91 per People across the political spectrum This proposal is not the answer. fourth, and in the 1,500m, when he
cent, and therefore we know that the recognise the need to tackle the UK’s The present contract is generally was second, with Cram two places Sir, Ann Treneman notes the adverse
pay award is not affordable for many wide health inequalities. The best regarded as hopeless. A root-and- behind. In the Commonwealth impact bins have on front gardens
schools without additional funding. place to start is by putting children’s branch reassessment of the dental Games he was a 800m bronze (Notebook, Jul 22). She is lucky to
Eliza Low health first. Extending eligibility to service is needed, and a great deal medallist in 1986 then 1,500m gold have only four. Here in Cotswold
Chairwoman of governors, free school meals would also help more money. You can only patch up a medallist in 1990. He deserves District we have seven: general,
St Marylebone CE School, London W1 more young people to access the failing service so many times before recognition. garden, plastic, cardboard, glass,
nutrition they need. going back to the start. John Goodbody paper, food. Another one and I will
Corrections and Kieron Boyle, chief executive, Diana Hailey Sports News Correspondent, have to consider a bin annexe.
clarifications Impact on Urban Health, London SE1 Dental surgeon (ret’d) The Times, 1986-2007; London SW5 Charles Grene
Deddington, Oxon Tetbury, Glos
6 Because of an editing error, we
wrongly said that Mizanur Rahman COAL this is not the whole story. We are There was an overwhelming All aboard for the
had compared Israel to “white AND well aware of the mistakes which the majority in support of the executive’s Trolleybus Museum
supremacy” during an anti-racism COMRADESHIP miners have made since the end of wise recommendation for improving
lesson for civil servants in 2019 the war. Happily they seem to have the agreement and that proposals to Sir, While the Trolleybus Museum is
(“Cabinet Office anti-racism trainer from the times july 23, 1922 awakened to the danger of extreme this end should be submitted to the poorly served by public transport
wished death on ‘Zionists’ ”, report, courses. Human nature being what it coal owners. These will presumably (letters, Jul 21 & 22) it is not
Nov 26, 2021). In fact he drew the In all the changing fortunes of our is, a certain recklessness might have be ready for presentation to the impossible to visit other than by car.
comparison on Twitter in 2014. Mr industrial life there have been few been expected from delegates at the National Board when it meets this On Saturdays when the museum is
Rahman has asked us to make clear sadder spectacles than the present annual conference of the miners’ week. It cannot be doubted that the open we run a free bus to connect
that it no longer represents his view. plight of the miners. Their wages, Federation at Blackpool last week. In decision of the miners to seek a with First South Yorkshire service 87
based on the selling price of coal, the event the proceedings were peaceful way out of their difficulties from Doncaster at Thorne, and on
The Times takes were high during the war, and even marked by moderation. If the South imposes a corresponding obligation bank holiday Mondays and Sundays
complaints higher during the industrial activity Wales miners are still dominated by on the coal owners. All who know when significant events are being held
about editorial which followed the Armistice. Then leaders of the extreme school they the miners and their sterling worth we run a free bus from Doncaster
content seriously. We are committed to came the trade depression, from signally failed to carry the rest of the must deeply sympathize with them Interchange. July 31 is the Sandtoft
abiding by the Independent Press which we are still suffering, and it hit conference with them. They asked in their misfortunes, and the coal Gathering, our biggest event of the
Standards Organisation (“IPSO”) rules the miners in two ways. Not only the Federation to affiliate itself to owners will do well to meet them in year, and buses will leave Doncaster
and regulations and the Editors’ Code of was the standard wage reduced, but the “Red International”, but failed to as generous a spirit as is compatible Interchange half hourly between
Practice that IPSO enforces. Requests there were fewer opportunities of secure the support of a single other with the actual solvency of the 10am and midday, then hourly until
for corrections or clarifications should earning it, with the result that very district. Even more important was industry. There can rarely have been 3pm. We look forward to your visit.
be sent to feedback@thetimes.co.uk real distress prevails in the coalfields the refusal of the conference to be an industrial crisis which so Chas Allen
of Great Britain. It may be said that stampeded into terminating the imperatively demanded comradeship Commercial director, Trolleybus
national agreement. The Lancashire between employers and employed. Museum at Sandtoft, Lincs
district, which has been especially
hard hit by wage reductions, alone thetimes.co.uk/archive Letters to The Times must be exclusive.
voted for this desperate expedient.

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 29

Leading articles

Daily Universal Register Question of Truss

UK: Women’s football: France v Netherlands Liz Truss has captured headlines with her promises of tax cuts. But the public has
quarter-final of Euro 2022 in Rotherham at a right to know why she has changed her mind so often on many important issues
8pm; a coalition of climate activist groups
hold a march in London. Liz Truss is presenting herself as the “change” can- Of course everyone is entitled to change their Lords. The EU’s decision yesterday to launch four
didate in the Conservative party leadership elect- minds, and it would be more worrying if a politi- lawsuits against Britain for failing to implement
Birthdays today ion. That shows some chutzpah given that the for- cian’s views didn’t evolve in the light of experience. the protocol is a forewarning that if she wins and
eign secretary is the longest continuous serving Nonetheless a candidate whose positions have persists with her confrontational approach, a
Jo Brand, pictured, member of the cabinet, having been first appoint- shifted so dramatically has a particular obligation trade war with the EU becomes more likely.
comedian, writer and ed in 2014. Nor does her record mark her out as a to explain their reasons. When Ms Truss says that
actress, Going Forward reformer. To the extent that she has intruded on the economic orthodoxy of the past 20 years has Moreover, if Ms Truss is a genuine change can-
(2016), 65; Prof public consciousness, it has often been as a figure failed and that she now supports unfunded tax didate, she should say what else she would reform.
Christopher Andrew, of fun. She has been mocked for a 2014 speech in cuts, it would be useful to know how she arrived at The Times Education Commission has highlight-
former official historian, which she extolled the virtues of British cheese this conclusion. After all, she has been a minister ed the many ways in which the system is failing,
MI5, 81; Alan Barnes, and apples, for her fondness for Instagram and for ten of those years, including two at the Trea- and set out a blueprint for radical reform. As a
saxophonist, composer, recreating Margaret Thatcher’s poses, and for sury. According to Sir Patrick Minford, an econo- former education minister, what does she think?
The Sherlock Holmes Suite (2003), 63; Prof being gulled by Sergey Lavrov, her Russian coun- mist who is advising her campaign, interest rates She says that Whitehall efficiency gains can pay
Sir Ross Cranston, High Court judge (2007- terpart, into refusing to recognise Russian sover- might have to rise to up to 7 per cent to offset the for tax cuts. As a former chief secretary to the
17), Labour MP (1997-2005), 74; David Essex, eignty over Voronezh and Rostov, two cities that inflationary impact of tax cuts. Mortgage holders Treasury, where does she think these savings can
singer-songwriter, Rock On (1973), and actor, have been part of Russia for centuries. and businesses will want to know if she agrees. be made? And why as foreign secretary did she re-
Silver Dream Racer (1980), 75; Alex Fraser, sist cuts demanded of her own department? As a
chief executive, London Institute of Banking Yet Ms Truss’s longevity is proof that in one re- Similarly Ms Truss should explain her Brexit farming minister, she claimed to champion farm-
and Finance, chief operating officer, Cass spect she is indeed the change candidate. Her abil- conversion, particularly when her pre-referen- ers but as a trade minister she negotiated a deal
Business School, London (2009-15), 63; ity to navigate the transitions from David Camer- dum warnings that it would hurt British exporters with Australia so damaging to farmers that the
Graham Gooch, cricketer, former England on to Theresa May to Boris Johnson is testimony have been proved right. The chaos at Dover yes- government refused to put it to a parliamentary
captain and coach, 69; Prof Edward to her flexibility and pragmatism. This mutability terday, which ruined the start of thousands of vote. Where would she stand as prime minister?
Gregson, composer, Three John Donne was also evident in her transformation from Liber- people’s holidays, was at least in part because of in-
Settings (2013), 77; Woody Harrelson, actor, al Democrat activist to Conservative MP, and creased border checks. On the other hand, her Ms Truss’s eye-catching promises of tax cuts
Cheers (1985-93), 61; Mike Hulme, professor from Remain campaigner in the 2016 referendum claim to have solved the Northern Irish border have captured headlines and made her the favour-
of human geography, University of to standard bearer of the right-wing Brexiteers to- problem by introducing a bill that repudiates the ite to win the leadership. But with five weeks to go
Cambridge, 62; Air Vice-Marshal GC day. Indeed, Ms Truss now insists that she was protocol negotiated by Mr Johnson is wrong, given before the ballot closes, the public has a right to
“Larry” Lamb, former international rugby “wrong” to have ever backed Remain. that the bill faces significant opposition in the know whether she really is a conviction politician
referee, 99; Sergio Mattarella, president of or simply a media-savvy shapeshifter.
Italy, 81; Len McCluskey, general secretary,
Unite (2011-21), 72; Daniel Radcliffe, actor, BBC Betrayal
the Harry Potter films (2001-11), 33; Robin
Simon, founding editor, British Art Journal, The corporation treated Princes William and Harry’s former nanny disgracefully
75; Mark Skipper, chief executive, Northern
Ballet, 61; David Strettle, rugby player, That the former nanny to Princes William and Pettifer says that her life was scarred by it. Ms Pet- has paid £1.5 million to a charity chosen by the
England (2007-13), 39; Prof Michael Wood, Harry should have been defamed by a false ru- tifer was one of many harmed by Bashir’s wicked royal family.
historian and broadcaster, The Story of China mour that she had become pregnant by Prince scheme, most notably the princess and her family.
(2016), 74. Charles is scandalous. That this rumour should Prince William said last year, when Lord Dyson’s The cost to the corporation’s reputation is incal-
have emanated from the BBC is appalling. And report into the deceit and cover-up was published, culable. At a time when the rise of streaming plat-
Birthdays tomorrow that in order to extract an apology from the corpo- “it brings indescribable sadness to know that the forms is undermining the BBC’s economic raison
ration she has had to wait a quarter of a century BBC’s failures contributed significantly to [my d’être, one of the main justifications for its con-
Quinlan Terry, pictured, and take it to court is beyond belief. mother’s] fear, paranoia and isolation that I re- tinued financing through the licence fee is a moral
architect, Brentwood member from those final years with her”. one. The BBC should represent, at home and to
Cathedral, 85; Zaheer Tiggy Legge-Bourke, as she was called when she the rest of the world, the highest standards in
Abbas, cricketer, worked for the royal family, was a victim of a Other victims included those brave enough to broadcasting. In the lies told and the pain caused
Pakistan (1969-85), scheme cooked up by Martin Bashir, a BBC report- question Bashir’s methods. Matt Wiessler, a in the making of this programme, it has fallen far
president, International er, in 1995 to persuade Princess Diana that those graphic designer who became suspicious about from that aspiration.
Cricket Council (2015- around her were in league with her husband and how his work was being used by the reporter, was
16), 75; Julia Bradbury, conspiring against her. Bashir hoped this would never allowed to work for the BBC again. Mark Tim Davie, the BBC’s director-general, took the
broadcaster, Countryfile (2004-14), 52; Lynda persuade the princess to grant an interview to the Killick, a Panorama producer, was fired 24 hours opportunity of the settlement with Ms Pettifer to
Carter, actress, Wonder Woman (1975-79), 71; BBC’s Panorama programme. after raising concerns about how Bashir had got apologise to her, to the Prince of Wales and to
Prof Frank Close, theoretical physicist, The that interview, and was subsequently defamed. William and Harry. The Panorama programme, he
Infinity Puzzle (2012), 77; Tracey Crouch, The plan involved spreading a false rumour that said, would never be screened again, in Britain or
Conservative MP for Chatham and Ms Legge-Bourke, now known as Alexandra Pet- The financial cost to the BBC is considerable. It elsewhere. After many years of near-silence from
Aylesford, minister for sport and civil society tifer, had had an abortion as a result of an affair is to pay Ms Pettifer £200,000 in damages; it has the corporation’s leaders, Davie’s profuse apology
(2017-18), 47; Catherine Destivelle, with Prince Charles. According to a joint state- paid Commander Patrick Jephson, Princess is welcome, but it is not enough. The BBC has yet
mountaineer, the first woman to make a solo ment by Pettifer and the BBC, released as part of Diana’s former private secretary, £100,000, and to come clean about who was to blame for the
ascent of the north face of the Eiger (1992), a court settlement, Princess Diana believed this Mr Killick £50,000; last year it agreed a settlement cover-up of Bashir’s duplicity. If it is to regain the
62; Danny Dyer, actor, EastEnders (since rumour; not even the sharing of private medical with Mr Wiessler worth potentially £750,000. moral authority that a public-service broadcaster
2013), 45; Kevin Ellis, chairman, information would persuade her it was untrue. Ms Lord Dyson’s review cost £1.4 million, and the BBC should enjoy, it needs to do so now.
PricewaterhouseCoopers UK, 59; Andy
Gomarsall, rugby union player, England Just Deserts
(1996-2008), 48; Lord (Jonathan) Hill of
Oareford, European commissioner for The creator of Mars ice cream receives public recognition at last
financial stability, financial services and
capital markets union (2014-16), 62; Jennifer Some connoisseurs maintain there is no true ice leagues of its feasibility. It swiftly became the ice cream, a delicacy to this day) and truffle ice
Lopez, singer, Ain’t Your Mama (2016), and cream but vanilla. It is hard to maintain such certi- nation’s top-selling ice cream. Jacoby sadly died at cream (not chocolate, but fungus).
actress, 53; Tim Montgomerie, co-founder, tude, however, when confronted with a Mars bar a young age in 2015 and it is past time his contribu-
Centre for Social Justice, comment editor, ice cream. In The Times this week, Max Hastings tion to confectionery received its due. Indeed vanilla ice cream is the interloper.
The Times (2013-14), 52; Elisabeth Moss, recalled the gastronomic revelation of first tasting Though early confectioners did make it, with va-
actress, The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-22), 40; this “supreme delicacy” and lamented that, owing The creator of Mars ice cream stands in a great nilla beans rather than extract, the flavour didn’t
Anna Paquin, actress, The Piano (1993), 40; to tight secrecy maintained by the manufacturer, tradition. Since the development of reliable freez- become common until the mid-19th century. Even
Lord (Chris) Smith of Finsbury, master, the identity of its inventor remained unknown. ing techniques in the 18th century, innovation has the great French chef Auguste Escoffier, with his
Pembroke College, Cambridge, chairman, been integral to ice cream. The first book entirely philosophy of Surtout, faites simple (“above all,
Advertising Standards Authority (2007-17), Former Mars employees have since provided devoted to ice cream, L’Art de bien faire les glaces keep it simple”), was celebrated for his creation of
71; Lady Rosemary Spencer-Churchill, a the answer on our Letters page. They disclose that d’office; ou Les vrais principes pour congeler tous les asparagus ice cream. Jacoby, who had the revolu-
maid of honour to the Queen at her the creative genius behind the product, developed rafraîchissements (1768), by a chef known only as tionary idea of using chocolate and caramel, may
coronation in 1953, 93; Gus Van Sant, film- in the 1980s, was a researcher called Dan Jacoby. Emy, contains numerous variations, including not yet command similar culinary name-recogni-
maker, Good Will Hunting (1997), 70. He created the recipe and persuaded sceptical col- rye-bread ice cream (a precursor to brown-bread tion but he richly deserves to.

On this day

In 1982 the International Whaling
Commission voted to ban commercial
whaling, starting in 1986.

The last word

“The quietly pacifist peaceful/ always die/
to make room for men/ who shout.” Alice
Walker, poet and novelist, The QPP (1973)

30 Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

Comment Write to Feedback by emailing
feedback@thetimes.co.uk or by post to
1 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9GF

This gaslighting 2018 series of Love Island but the Knockout contest Carolingian reliquary medallion
has been going current ubiquity of the term supposed to contain a fragment of
on for decades “gaslighting” — in more or less David Blake writes from Christ’s cross. The question had been
exactly the sense that Wallace used Salisbury, “I knew if I trawled changed late in the day for lack of
Rose gives the impression that he is less it — owes itself to a protest by your paper I would find the good stadium pictures, but the text
Wild interested in the crime than in Women’s Aid, a charity campaigning contest for the next PM described as stayed the same. Ken Taylor says he
Feedback the psychological relations of the against domestic abuse. The charity’s a race and lo and behold there it was was baffled. He wasn’t the only one.
husband and the wife. Wherever chief executive, Katie Ghose, issued in a first leader. Nothing could be
@timesfeedback they are together the play reaches a much-publicised statement about less like a race than this last-man/ I’m reminded by a colleague of the
a higher plane of excitement.” the behaviour of one of that year’s woman-standing knockout event.” time he let through a photograph of
‘The muffin bell rings Love Island contestants: “In a a daffodil captioned “Sir Peter Hall”.
through the gaslit In 1940 the play was filmed as relationship, a partner questioning More of a slow-motion car crash, Thirty years on, he’s now in charge
Pimlico of Victorian Gaslight in Britain with Anton your memory of events, trivialising I agree. Where Graham Booker’s of dealing with serious complaints.
London. In a drawing- Walbrook and Diana Wynyard, and your thoughts or feelings, and contribution takes us I’m not sure,
room horribly cluttered four years later Ingrid Bergman won turning things around to blame you but perhaps it’s something we should Our archive expert
with objects of fake and gimcrackery an Oscar opposite Charles Boyer can be part of a pattern of know. He wrote to tell us that the
the master of the house bullies his for her performance in Hollywood’s gaslighting and emotional abuse.” cruiser HMS Penelope, after which Iwas sorry to hear of the death
timid, foolish wife. His demands remake. It didn’t take long before Penny Mordaunt is said to have been this week of David Walsh who,
grow more and more unreasonable, the title was being used in academic Such was the response that named, received so much shrapnel for some years, has enhanced the
and slowly we realise she is afraid of circles to personify the pattern of “gaslighting” was shortlisted for damage in the Second World War online version of From the Archive
going mad. Then we suspect that he behaviour that made the films such Oxford University Press’s 2018 that it was nicknamed “Pepperpot”. with daily comments filling in
is systematically driving her mad.” a dramatic success. Anthony FC “Word of the Year”, and now it is historical detail and perspective.
Wallace, an anthropologist at simply part of the language. Ticked off
This was how The Times began its Pennsylvania university, wrote in Michael Booth was one of many
review of Patrick Hamilton’s new Culture and Personality (1961): “It is . . . More or less. A reader from Surrey Our headline “Waterstones hails readers who posted tributes to David
play Gas Light on its pre-West End popularly believed to be possible to wrote to us after he came across it in uptick in sales” distressed in the comment threads. “From the
opening at the Richmond Theatre in ‘gaslight’ a perfectly healthy person a report on an employment tribunal: David Rudd. “I was delighted Archive represents all that is best in
December 1938. The reviewer went into psychosis by interpreting his own “The expression ‘racist and ableist to read about the rise in book sales, The Times. The comments on it are
on to comment that “Mr Hamilton behaviour to him as symptomatic of gaslighting’ is somewhat dated. but wondered why the headline well informed and good-natured.
serious mental illness.” Most of us have lighting powered eschewed the use of the word David Walsh contributed to a level
by electricity. What has happened to ‘increase’. I fear that I will be which can only be described as
It may be something of a leap communication and comprehension?” earmarked as a dinosaur if I continue Herculean, and his efforts stimulated
from academic psychology to the to use the perfectly good old words.” contributions from others.”
I hope the above has shone a light.
The year 2018, incidentally, was quite Sometimes we’re just too clever for Another wrote that “In the age of
fruitful for new word trends. The our own good. We don’t encourage the troll and keyboard warrior David
actual word of the year was “toxic” the use of “uptick” but it was allowed brought calm and respect”.
— no argument there — but the on this occasion because the story
shortlist also included “gammon” was all about TikTok. Ho ho. And, touchingly, another said,
and “incel”, both universal now. “Before Covid I preferred my news in
And sometimes we’re not very paper format as it encouraged me to
Not all the choices were prophetic, clever at all. The Saturday quiz venture forth and seek conversation
though. I may move in the wrong question, “Which Australian sports and friendship in my local café. In
circles but I don’t think “big dick stadium is pictured?” was illustrated many ways the From the Archive
energy” (BDE) has the same appeal, with a photo of the Talisman of comment section filled the void
not in this weather anyway. Charlemagne, a 9th-century left by lockdown.”

He will be missed.

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 31

Comment

Hasta la vista, he said, like he doesn’t because that’s the brand. Frustrated by that weird stunt waiting tables in into bed with married MP Mark
was the Terminator and Margaret Thatcher had a strong the Thatcher Wagamama but he has nothing on Liz Field. Her marriage survived, his
not the terminated. Boris comparisons, “pork markets” Truss. Start stockpiling didn’t. Sunak has had his own
Johnson left the Commons brand too, which Liz Truss is now Liz? Come on, now, because if she becomes PM we troubles but the only person his wife
threatening to have “more copying, the political equivalent of you literally will no longer import two thirds of tried to screw was the taxman.
to say” in the coming months (price Aldi ripping off M&S’s Colin the wore a tank our cheese. And that. Is. A. Disgrace.
on application at speakers4hire.com). Caterpillar cake with one called Presentation Never mind the EU,
And with him left the dreams of Cuthbert: squinting, they look alike, Matt Chorley Childhood Footage of a teenage Truss couldn’t find her way out of her
one-trick sketchwriters, Twitter’s but you suspect the cheap imitation Sunak shows him saying “I have own leadership launch. Sunak boasted
professionally angry and about 90 might not be very good. Truss says Listen to Matt Chorley friends who are working class ... well, his biggest weakness was being too
per cent of the comedy shows at next she gets “frustrated” by comparisons every Monday to Friday, focused on detail, while sitting in
week’s Edinburgh Fringe. How will with the Iron Lady. I mean, come on, 10am to 1pm not working class”. No working- front of a sign asking people to “join
they cope without the philandering, she literally wore a tank. class kids at Winchester? the campiaign”. Genuinely.
fibbing funnyman? They need not Amazing. Maybe he could have
worry. Whoever wins this race, People say diddy Sunak is out of taken up smoking with the Social media For two people who
politics will still be risible: touch for wearing expensive suits, but groundsman. Truss is haunted exist almost entirely in Insta form, it’s
the only tax he is avoiding is VAT, by having been a Lib Dem in amazing how bad they can be at the
Fashion Clothes matter. Johnson which doesn’t apply to the children’s her youth. It would be less socials. One Sunak supporter tweeted:
hadn’t always just shinned down clothes he can fit into. Then there are damaging in Tory circles if “If you’re happy, can you tweet and
someone else’s drainpipe, but he the hoodies, the plastic sliders and she admitted to bestiality. include the hashtag Ready4Rishi”.
looked like he had, because that’s his the £490 Prada loafers he wore to a Relatives Families are Truss, having made it to the final
brand. Of course he knows how to building site, dramatically increasing tricky. (Just ask Johnson.) two, tweeted she was “ready to hit
knot a tie to the right length or the value of the land he stood on. Truss first came to tabloid the ground from day one”.
tighten his belt so he doesn’t need to Now that’s levelling up. prominence when she spent
keep hoicking up his trousers, but he the 2005 election not getting So you see, it’s all going to be
Food “Coke addict” Sunak gave the elected, but instead getting fine. Whoever wins, we will have
nation “Eat Out to Help Out” and did to laugh. Or we’ll cry.

Quidditch is part of our sporting magic

JK Rowling follows in a long line of Britons who have conjured up fantastical games that have spread around the world

Ben Quidditch has moved from fiction to the playing field. The Marquess of Queensberry, below, endorsed boxing rules in 1867 general rules set down at the first
Macintyre meetings of the Football Association
Quidditch organisations recently Harry Potter books have sold more 11th-century gothic German castle, in the Freemasons Arms, Holborn, in
@benmacintyre1 announced the sport’s name would than 500 million copies worldwide, and nowhere else. Rackets was 1863. Boxers worldwide still fight
be changed to “quadball” to distance but Rowling’s sporting impact has invented in English debtors’ prisons, according to regulations publicly
At the height of empire, themselves from Rowling’s views on been inadequately celebrated: she is as bankrupt inmates whiled away endorsed by the Marquess of
when two or more Britons transgender issues — a gesture the first person in modern times to the time by whacking a ball against Queensberry in 1867 (no boots with
found themselves in some roughly equivalent to arguing that invent a new global sport from a wall. nails or “sprigs”, wire spikes).
far-flung corner of the rugby should be renamed “eggball” scratch, and the first woman ever to
globe, they often invented because the Rev William Webb Ellis, do so. The astonishing range of People have often tried to change
a new sport, supported by a rigid set who supposedly first picked up a British-invented sports came about the rules or the names of these
of rules. football and ran when a Rugby Like so much of the Hogwarts partly because, as an imperial power, games, mostly for political reasons,
schoolboy, once preached in favour world, quidditch emerges from a Britain was in a position to set and like the nervous organisers of
Snooker (adapted from billiards, of the Crimean War (which he did). British public school tradition. From enforce the rules for much of the rest modern “quadball”, and they usually
itself adapted from croquet) was Eton came the field game, the wall of the world. But it also emerged fail.
invented by one Neville Chamberlain game and Eton fives, the latter two from the idea that sport was morally
(alas, not that one) in the British dictated by the particular geography improving, an instinct for regulation Major Walter Clopton Wingfield,
Officers’ Mess in Jubbulpore in 1875. and architecture of that school. in all aspects of life, and boredom: who popularised lawn tennis, wanted
A snooker was a slang term for a Rugby, of course, started in Rugby. At one way to combat the sheer tedium to call the sport sphairistike, from the
first-year cadet: when a young player Winchester pupils play a peculiar of colonial life was to think up Greek meaning “skill at playing ball”.
missed an easy shot, Chamberlain form of football known as “Winkies” another pastime involving a ball and The game caught on rapidly, but the
derided him as “a regular snooker”. with its own arcane language. (When some other implement. name did not. Golf, played in
Table tennis is thought to have pushing Italy’s army back in North Scotland since medieval times, was
originated with soldiers using empty Africa in 1941, the Old Wykehamist Major sports were created in unsuccessfully banned in 1457 by
cigar boxes to knock a rounded cork General Wavell received a telegram specific British circumstances and King James II on the grounds that it
over a line of books erected across congratulating him on “hotting the environments, yet the rules still distracted from archery practice.
the middle of a dining table. enemy over worms”, the term for endure and apply everywhere.
winning a scrummage.) Tennis emerged on the rolled lawns Adolf Hitler is believed to have
Most of the world’s major sports, used for croquet, and follows the
including football, cricket, rugby, British-concocted sports have timing, court size, scoring system, At Colditz prisoners of
tennis, boxing, hockey and golf, were always been tailored to the place of and net height broadly appropriate war devised stoolball, a
devised, adapted, appropriated or origin. In Colditz the prisoners to a leisurely garden party in violent form of rugby
regularised by the British. And devised “stoolball”, a violent species suburban Victorian England.
beyond the mainstream sports, there of rugby that could be played in the played cricket just once, after he
are the myriad games that have dark, cobbled inner courtyard of that Football is played by every country spotted British PoWs playing it in
emerged from specific circumstances in the world, yet it still follows the 1917. He is said to have tried to
and local cultures: Gloucestershire change the laws to make it more
cheese rolling, Devon wrestling in “manly”, by removing pads and
which the competitors kick each making the ball larger. This did not
other into submission with hardened work, because it was just not cricket.
boots, and ferret-legging played by
Yorkshire miners: the trousers are All sports are initially a form of
tied at the ankle and two ferrets fiction, but few truly catch on and
inserted, an unwise and extremely embed in the culture. “Extreme
painful test of endurance involving ironing” sounds like a grand idea
no skill whatever. (rock climbing with a domestic chore
at the top), a sport that “combines
Which makes JK Rowling’s the thrills of an extreme outdoor
sporting achievement, as the inventor activity with the satisfaction of a
of quidditch in the Harry Potter well-pressed shirt”, but it has never
books, all the more remarkable. In quite taken off.
her fictional sport, competitors fly
around on broomsticks in pursuit of At its origins, British sport is not
the golden snitch. In the sport really about winning or losing, but
adapted from Rowling’s fiction and inventing, imagining, codifying and
now played around the world, then sitting back to watch others
players run with a broomstick excel.
between their legs and the snitch is
represented by a runner in a yellow JK Rowling stands firmly in this
shirt with a tennis ball attached. grand tradition: others may seek to
tamper with the rules or change the
name, but quidditch will endure, a
sport that started on paper but
ended up on the playing field, a very
British sort of magic.

32 V2 Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

Comment

weekend essay

The scientists who
are inventing a way

out of climate change

If the world is to hit net zero in the next few decades, cutting emissions may not be
enough. Rhys Blakely talks to visionaries who believe that to save the planet we
need to suck carbon from the air, create clouds and perhaps even block the sun

Alarge unmanned balloon takes off from This week’s fires across played by Mark Rylance, promises that an unproven giant solar power plants in space. Researchers in
near the Arctic town of Kiruna in Sweden. Britain, including in technology can save the world from a looming Cambridge are looking at whether we could refreeze
At an altitude of 12 miles, it releases a small Wennington, east London, cataclysm, giving politicians an excuse to avoid actions the Arctic. Y-Combinator, an influential “startup
plume of powdered chalk. A team of above left, were a far more likely to work. Critics warn that solar accelerator” that supports young companies in Silicon
Harvard researchers track it as it drifts into reminder of the urgent geoengineering could have disastrous consequences; Valley, is looking for genetic engineers to create new
the stratosphere. They assess whether this could be need to address global that it could ruin the ozone layer or disrupt South strains of algae to pull CO2 from the air more
the first step towards dimming the sun. warming. But Mark Asia’s monsoons and harvests. It would do nothing to efficiently than their wild cousins. Ideas that once
Rylance’s character in solve the underlying causes of global warming, they looked outlandish — zero-emissions meat grown in
That, at least, was the plan. As science experiments go Don’t Look Up, below, add, so if you started you might not be able to stop petri dishes — now seem tame. Last year, scientists
it was hardly the work of an evil mastermind served as a warning that without a terrifying upward jolt in temperature. began creating low-lying cloud off the coast of
but the backlash was furious. Environmentalists argued peddlers of fantastical Australia in an effort to cool the Great Barrier Reef.
it would mark the beginning of a slippery slope towards projects can be a For Myles Allen, an Oxford professor credited with
drought, famine and geopolitical chaos. The Swedish dangerous distraction being the first to recognise the need for “net zero” Much of the progress so far towards net zero has
government, having initially given its blessing to this Bill carbon emissions to halt global warming, it’s a depended on technology. When India cancelled plans
Gates-funded project, withdrew its consent. The idea non-starter. It “would be geopolitically massively to build 14 gigawatts of coal-fired power stations in
was shelved, and with it, for now, the first serious destabilising . . . anyone who does this is liable for the 2017 (enough to meet about half the UK’s electricity
attempt to explore whether global warming could be world’s weather.” Even Frank Keutsch, a Harvard needs over the past week), it wasn’t buckling to
checked by cooling the planet. professor who was one of the leaders of the Swedish environmentalist pressure. Thanks to improved
experiment, has said he finds the thought “terrifying”. Chinese production methods, solar power had
The Swedish trial wouldn’t have changed the weather. become far cheaper. The cost of solar cells fell by
It was a small study of how dust behaves high in the sky. Yet as temperature records tumble in Britain, nearly 90 per cent between 2010 and 2020.
The results would have been used to improve computer France sees a “heat apocalypse” and Alaska battles
simulations. Symbolically, though, it became a lightning unprecedented wildfires, Keith says attitudes are Yet authorities such as Sir David King, a former
rod in a debate gathering urgency as the mercury shifting. The White House has asked scientists to chief scientific adviser to the government who now
rises: can we invent our way out of the climate crisis? explore the concept and in May the UN created the leads the Centre for Climate Repair at Cambridge, say
Climate Overshoot Commission, a panel that will cutting emissions won’t be enough. He argues we must
The experiment would have been the first work discuss the ethics and feasibility of last-ditch climate focus on three “Rs”: reduction, removal and repair.
related to “solar geoengineering” to be conducted technologies that are “problematic” or unproven at
outside a laboratory. David Keith, a professor of applied large scale. Keith believes “solar geo” is finally being The first is familiar: reducing the amount of
physics at Harvard University, suggests that if it were taken seriously: “Things are really changing fast.” greenhouse gases we pump out. That in itself will be a
ever implemented at scale, it could involve dozens of colossal task. For all of the focus on solar and wind,
aircraft taking off every day, releasing two million Can untested technologies help to cool the planet? generating electricity accounts for just 27 per cent of
tonnes of sulphur each year high above the Equator. The latest assessments from the IPCC suggest they emissions. Making things — the cements, steel and
must. It sees no way to limit the global temperature plastics industries — accounts for 31 per cent. Growing
The aim would be to mimic the effects of a large plants and animals is 19 per cent; transport 16 per cent;
volcanic eruption, something like the explosion of rise to 1.5C, which would still involve huge societal and heating and cooling about 7 per cent.
Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991, upheaval, without new tools to remove vast
which reduced the average global temperature amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Among other things, we could do with inventing
by about 0.5C for more than a year as the zero-carbon steel, concrete and plastics; a means of
sulphate particles it belched out deflected the And no, we can’t just plant lots of trees. producing hydrogen and fertilisers without emissions;
energy of the sun into space. A report by the Maintaining existing forests, which remove and breakthroughs in storing city-scale amounts of
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change carbon from the air through photosynthesis, electricity. Meanwhile, Bill Gates has lamented that
(IPCC) has suggested solar geoengineering will be critical and more could help, but government funding for clean energy research is
could cool the planet by roughly 1.5C at a cost about $22 billion a year, about 0.02 per cent of the
of no more than $10 billion a year. scientists say it will be impossible to plant global economy. “Americans spend more than that on
enough new ones to stabilise temperatures. gasoline in a single month,” he recently wrote.
For some the idea will carry an unnerving
echo of Don’t Look Up, the Netflix film that Dimming the sun is only one idea on the The other two Rs are also daunting. King thinks we
became a lockdown hit. A Silicon Valley billionaire, table. Interest in Earth-cooling devices is rising. should repair damage already done. He envisages an
They stretch from the prosaic — Mediterranean-style
shutters on British houses — to the construction of

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 V2 33

Comment

Blocking the sun to 415 ppm. That’s a problem because CO2 traps heat “So far, less than than 150 million children have been immunised,
that would otherwise escape into space. And while saving an estimated 700,000 lives.
1 High-flying planes SUNLIGHT methane will disappear after about 12 years, CO2 10,000 tonnes
release small lingers for centuries. Hence the need to remove it. of CO2 have The hope is that Frontier can have a similar impact,
been removed, a and green shoots are sprouting. Future Forest, based
sulfate particles into There are many ways of stripping carbon from the millionth of the in Darlington, is a start-up supported by a similar pilot
atmosphere. “Direct air capture” (DAC) often involves amount needed scheme backed by Stripe. Its main focus is on what’s
the stratosphere to blowing ordinary air through a liquid solution or solid each year called “enhanced weathering”. This typically involves
filter, which can grab hold of CO2 molecules but not spreading basalt rock dust, a waste product from
block some of the sun’s others. The next stage usually involves applying heat, quarries, on arable land. The dust reacts with CO2 in
to extract pure CO2 from the solvent or filter. At the the air; they combine to form a solid mineral, which
energy. One study said largest DAC plant built so far, called Orca in Iceland, should last tens of thousands of years and can improve
the CO2 is used to make fizzy water which is pumped the quality of the soil.
this could cut global into volcanic rock formations. After a few years, it
reacts with them to turn to stone. Other options About 10,000 tonnes of rock dust has been spread so
temperatures by 1.5C include combining the CO2 with industrial waste far on fields in the UK, enough to capture roughly 2,500
materials to create aggregates for concrete. tonnes of CO2, says Jim Mann, the chief executive, who
for $10bn a year believes the process can be scaled up quickly. “We have
It sounds simple enough. So far, though, less than a model for getting to a billion tonnes of carbon
2 Crops could LOWER 10,000 tonnes of CO2 has been permanently removed, dioxide removal.” Stripe has been his first customer. It
benefit from ATMOSPHERE perhaps a millionth of the amount needed each year. paid for 1,500 tonnes of CO2 to be removed, at $200
per tonne. Mann thinks the cost can go below $100.
less heat stress, but Could one solution involve more innovative ways of
nurturing start-ups? Hannah Bebbington works on Professor Allen believes that at those kinds of
dimmer sunlight climate issues for Stripe, a giant payments company. prices, carbon removal, once widely viewed
At present, carbon removal technologies are “super with the same kind of suspicion as solar
may reduce yields expensive and small scale and thus they can’t attract geoengineering is today, can make sense. The
massive customers,” she says. It’s a chicken-and-egg real issue, he argues, isn’t technological
3 Dimmer skies problem: until the companies behind the technologies innovation. It’s government policy. In particular, he
could alter attract big customers, they can’t grow. wants laws to make fossil fuel companies pay for
carbon removal rather than taxpayers, philanthropists
weather patterns; Stripe, along with the parent companies of Facebook and Silicon Valley tech giants. If the cost was $100 per
and Google, is part of a coalition called Frontier, tonne of carbon, forcing oil companies to capture and
some experts fear that which aims to change that. They have pledged to store the emissions their product generates would add
spend $925 million on carbon capture by 2030. The about 19p to the cost of a litre of petrol, he calculates,
South Asia’s monsoon idea is that Frontier will be the first customer for far less than prices have spiked in recent months.
promising carbon removal ventures. “In essence, we’re
could be disrupted, saying to carbon removal companies: build it and we If this leaves you wondering why are we making all
will buy,” Bebbington said. this fuss about global warming and not just requiring
causing famine the fossil fuel industry to clean up after itself, well, the
The idea, known as an advance market problem is that the carbon removal industry is still
effort to refreeze polar regions, using a fleet of robot commitment, was first used 15 years ago when five embryonic, unproven and tricky to audit. The world’s
boats to spray seawater droplets into the sky to form countries and the Gates Foundation joined forces to biggest DAC plant can remove only 4,000 tonnes of
bright white clouds, which would deflect the sun’s rays. inject a sense of urgency into the pharmaceuticals carbon emissions a year. This year, humans will emit
industry. They told drugmakers that if they could more than 33 billion tonnes. To stabilise the climate,
He also holds the consensus view that we must invent a vaccine to protect against pneumococcus, a carbon removal will have to become one of the world’s
remove greenhouse gases at scale from the disease that preys on children in poor countries, they largest industries. And bear in mind, it won’t deliver a
atmosphere. The world is warming because the would spend $1.5 billion buying doses. After decades traditional, tangible product, only the knowledge that
concentration in the air of carbon dioxide (plus other of inertia, three vaccines were quickly created. More levels of CO2 in the air are being chipped away.
gases including methane) has risen as a result of
humans burning fossil fuels. Prior to the Industrial What of the third of King’s “Rs” — repair? One of
Revolution, CO2 levels remained at about 280 parts the more colourful ideas is being studied by his group
per million for thousands of years. By 2021 they’d risen at Cambridge: can artificial whale dung revitalise the
oceans? It’s estimated that a blue whale can produce
several tonnes of excrement a day during its foraging
season. For millions of years this waste was a pillar of
a carbon-capturing marine ecosystem.

Whale faeces is rich in iron, nitrates, phosphates and
silicates. These are required by micro algae, which pull
in carbon dioxide and convert it into food through
photosynthesis. The algae are eaten by tiny
crustaceans called krill and other creatures. The
whales eat the krill and defecate more nutrient-rich
waste, allowing the cycle to repeat. During the 19th
and 20th centuries, industrial whaling meant this
system collapsed. King is hoping that artificial whale
dung can resurrect it.

A first, very small trial has just been carried out in
the Arabian Sea off Goa. It involved rice husks, a
waste product, to which iron and other nutrients
were added. The researchers looked at whether the
husks behaved like whale poo and lingered in the
upper layers of the ocean, where sunlight allows
algae to photosynthesise.

Dr Matthew Savoca, of Stanford University, has
estimated that the population of blue and fin whales
fell by about a million between 1910 and 1970. From
those two species alone, the oceans would have lost
an amount of mammalian flesh, blood and bone
equivalent to roughly 3 billion humans. Artificial
whale dung might help to restore the natural order, he
said. “It is plausible, but I think we need to proceed
with caution. If there’s one thing we’ve learnt over
the past century or two, it’s that human interventions
have many rippling consequences.”

Which brings us back to solar geoengineering.
Done carefully, Keith believes it could cut the risks the
world faces from climate change. It may be, he has
suggested, the “least worst” option to cool the planet.

King is far more cautious, but pragmatic. The risk of
unanticipated outcomes is high, he says. “I think there
should be a moratorium on using the stratosphere as a
means of reflecting sunlight away from the Earth,
because the impacts could be horrendous,” he said.
“But I think the experimental work needs to progress,
because at some point some government is going to
become desperate, and they’re going to want to try it.”

Rhys Blakely is science correspondent

34 2GM Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

News

Private allotment administered
owners tap into allotments can cost
a growth area anything from a
peppercorn price to
When growers a chance to about £125 a year.
waiting manage their own plot
lists for of land are blooming Gay, 27, said that as
council (Fariha Karim writes). well as satisfying
allot- demand for allotments,
ments stretch to two Today, 114 years after he also wanted to
decades or more, the councils were forced to make them more
law of the jungle says allocate allotments by inclusive. “There is
that private companies law, supply has fallen quite a toxic culture on
will step in — and, but demand has some allotment sites,
indeed, businesses soared. Last year the people leaving nasty
offering would-be longest official waiting notes and things,” he
time for an allotment said. “We wanted to
build a site where
The Roots allotment outskirts of Bath. It people feel they are
outside Bath offers was founded by Ed part of something.”
plots starting at £9.99 a Morrison, Christian
month. It was co-founded Samuel and Will Gay, The 304 plots at
by Ed Morrison, above who rents a field from Roots, which opened in
his father, a Duchy of April, are already fully
was in Camden, north Cornwall farm tenant. booked and more are
London, at 18 years. on the way.
Plots start at £9.99 a
Enter Roots, which month for a 12sq m bed Peter Cargill, 54, who
offers “ready to plant” to £49.99 a month for a pays £220 a year for his
allotments on the 108sq m site. Council- 36sq m “starter plot”,
said: “I used to be on
the council waiting list
and they said it will be
around seven years.”
He now grows a variety
of produce, including
chillies and melons.

I want to die too,
says man who slit
sick wife’s throat

Tom Ball Northern Correspondent Graham Mansfield said that his wife

Andy Russell, Kieran Gair Dyanne’s pain had become too much

A pensioner who cut his terminally ill Suicide Act, “assisting or encouraging”
wife’s throat in a suicide pact said he still another person’s death is illegal in
wanted to die to join her after a court England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
accepted that he had acted out of “love
and compassion”. From April 2009 to last March, the
police referred 174 cases of assisted
Graham Mansfield, 73, said he had suicide to the Crown Prosecution
been forced into an “impossible situa- Service. All but 26 of these were with-
tion” after his wife Dyanne, 71, asked drawn or did not proceed.
him to kill her when the pain from her
cancer became too great. Mansfield, who now has a criminal
record, called for the law on assisted
A jury took 90 minutes to find him dying to be changed. He said “nobody
not guilty of murder at Manchester should be made to go through” the
crown court this week. He was found same “barbaric” circumstances as he
guilty of manslaughter and was given a and his wife.
suspended two-year jail sentence.
“We could have a system where two
Gazing over the garden where he had doctors, or even the police, could inter-
killed his wife of 40 years, Mansfield view people and the person who wants
said he was relieved not to have woken to die,” he said. “If we had had that
up in a cell yesterday — but he added choice, then I could have held Dyanne’s
that he would have preferred to have hand while a doctor gave her a lethal
died beside her as they had planned. injection. That would have been a
much better end than what we had to go
On the morning of March 24 last through. Why should you be forced to
year, Mansfield was found at the cling on to the very end when you have
couple’s home in Hale, Greater lost all that energy and love for life? We
Manchester, after having tried to kill felt like we had no choice.”
himself. The body of his wife was in a
chair at the bottom of their garden. The case comes after a senior coro-
ner warned that suicide pacts between
The retired airport baggage handler couples were becoming increasingly
said: “Every fibre of my body was say- common as people tried to take control
ing, ‘I cannot do this.’ But I had to of the end of their lives in the absence of
because of Dyanne, because she was in state-sanctioned assisted dying.
misery and she had asked me to do it.
David Ridley, the coroner for
“We wanted something which was Wiltshire and Swindon, said in May
certain, quick. As quick as possible and, that the organisation was “increasing-
it might sound daft, but as painless as ly” dealing with cases in which “people
possible. That was the only thing I want to take control at the end of life”.
could think of and that is what we
decided on. She said to me on the way
down [to the garden] when we were
going to do it, ‘I won’t make a noise.’

“When we were talking on the final
day, hours before we were going to do it,
we reflected on our lives together and
we were telling each other the truth,
how much we loved each other and
how we had had a wonderful life.”

Euthanasia is illegal in the UK and
can be prosecuted as murder or man-
slaughter. Under the terms of the

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 35

Harry wins News
first round of
his legal fight GUY BELL/ALAMY
over security

Valentine Low tensions”, had played a role in the deci- Dyed-in-the-wool Every photographer’s favourite, the pink sheep of the Latitude festival in Suffolk, are back as it returns
sion. Shaheed Fatima QC, for the duke, this weekend. Their grass may not be greener after the heat, but they are looking forward to Foals performing tomorrow
The Duke of Sussex is set for a High told the court this month: “He was told
Court confrontation with the Home it was an independent decision.” Deckhand’s £130k bill for harassing student
Office after winning the right to
challenge the decision to reduce his Lawyers for the Home Office said Jonathan Ames Legal Editor family”. Despite agreeing earlier this his messages, Mills-Nanyn turned
security arrangements while in Britain. Ravec was entitled to reach the decision year to end contact, he wrote to Dew’s abusive. “From this point, he began a
it did, which is that the duke’s security A yachting deckhand who tried to have university accusing her of “stalking and serious campaign of harassment, in-
Harry is taking legal action over a arrangements would be considered on a student expelled from university after harassing” him, leaving him “scared to cluding contacting her friends and
decision not to allow him to pay for a “case-by-case” basis, and argued that she stopped messaging him on Tinder is leave home”, and asked officials to family via social media and via various
police protection for himself and his permission for a full judicial review facing a £130,000 legal bill. remove Dew from her course. Ben accounts,” Hamer said.
family when visiting from the United should be refused.
States after stepping down as a working Oliver Mills-Nanyn was described in Oliver Mills-Nanyn Dew brought a civil claim against
member of the royal family. The judge said there was no evidence court as having launched a “mani- used puppet social Mills-Nanyn. Mrs Justice Collins Rice
to support the claim that Ravec had pulative” and “predatory” campaign of media accounts to imposed a suspended six-month jail
In the first stage of the case this approached the decision with a closed harassment against Scarlett Dew, contact his victim term on the yachtsman for breaching
month, the duke’s lawyers asked Mr mind, or that it was affected by bias. He having met on the dating app in 2019. and her family his undertaking to cease contact.
Justice Swift to grant permission for a rebuked Harry’s lawyers for hinting
full hearing to have a judge review the that a claim for bias might be put even Dew, a medical student at the Hamer, a barrister representing Dew, He must now pay Dew £30,000 in
Home Office’s decision. though they ultimately accepted that University of Manchester, initially had told the court: “The reverse was true damages and faces a bill of more than
no such case could be argued. “It would a “brief friendship” with Mills-Nanyn, and his account is the narrative of a £98,000 after being ordered to pay her
In a judgment yesterday Swift said have been better had these proceedings but she cut off contact with the deck- fantasist.” legal fees.
the case could proceed, granting per- not been the occasion to raise matters hand after several months, the court
mission for part of Harry’s claim to have that are not part of [the duke’s] legal heard, as his behaviour grew increas- Hamer said that after a brief corres- The judge said Mills-Nanyn had “no
a judicial review. challenge,” he said. ingly “erratic”. pondence online, Dew decided not to excuse” for his “calculating and abusive
continue contact. When she blocked conduct”. She explained that the jail
Harry is challenging the February Harry was granted permission on Lawyers for Dew said Mills-Nanyn, sentence for contempt of court was
2020 decision over his security by the arguments including that Ravec’s 23, from Oldham, had created puppet suspended owing to a lack of previous
Executive Committee for the Protec- decisions were legally unreasonable accounts on social media to contact convictions and the effect of jail on his
tion of Royalty and Public Figures and that the duke should have been told Dew and “follow her friends and future maritime career.
(Ravec), which falls under the remit of about its policy before its decision. The
the Home Office, after being told he judge accepted it could be argued that
would no longer be given the “same Harry should have had the opportunity
degree” of personal protective security to make representations directly to
when visiting. His lawyers previously Ravec about his security.
had said the duke and his family were
“unable to return to his home” as it was The judge denied permission for
too dangerous. other parts of Harry’s claim, including
that he should have been told who the
Harry’s legal team argued that the members of Ravec were. The judgment
security arrangements set out in a letter rejected the argument Harry should
from Ravec, and their application when automatically get security because he
he visited the UK in June last year, were was sixth in line to the throne and thus
invalid owing to “procedural unfair- among those royals who had to seek the
ness” because he was not given an Queen’s permission to get married.
opportunity to make “informed repre-
sentations beforehand”. They also said The judge said the Home Office had
he initially was unaware that members “yet to have the chance to address in
of the royal household, including Sir evidence” the process by which Ravec
Edward Young, the Queen’s private sec- had taken its decision and this “should
retary, with whom he had “significant be considered at a final hearing”.

36 Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

News

My Week Boris Johnson*

Monday The point is, I tell them, that I I say. “I’m quoting the says Jacob, uncertainly. Rishi calls.
Rallying the troops in cabinet. may be more popular in Kyiv robot.” “Maybe it’s only deep,” says “Just a minute,” I say, and I close
“OK folks,” I say, “let’s get in to the than Kensington, but I need to the door, because Carrie is ripping up
chamber and all vote that we have leave on my terms. Victory “Who, me?” says Liz Dominic, sadly, “compared with us.” the carpets and it’s really loud.
confidence in me.” today, PMQs on Truss. “Come on,” he says. “You know I’m
Wednesday. Then Tuesday not a socialist.”
Everybody shifts, uncomfortably. “hasta la vista, baby”! I sigh. Carrie is shouting at me. At first I I giggle. Then I ask him why they
Dominic Raab says it’s awkward, “Look,” I say. thought it was just because we have all pulled out of the last TV debate,
though, because he’s pretty sure they “Latin,” says Jacob “Just do what to move back to south London. But and he says it’s because they were
all just said they didn’t. Rees-Mogg, you’re told. One she says it’s actually because all of her making the party look bad.
confidently. last time. I’ve got clique of Tory friends support Rishi “Worse than it looked already?” I
“It’s a mess,” agrees Nadhim Sunak and it’s really awkward that I say. Because, to be honest, even I find
Zahawi. “You don’t even have a “No,” I say. a great speech don’t. this implausible.
chancellor.” “I meant planned. “Also,” I add, “do you really think
Greek,” says Blaming the “Piffle,” I say. “Ghastly socialist that your greatest weakness is that
“You’re chancellor,” I remind him. Jacob. Deep traitor. Anyone but Rishi.” you’re a perfectionist?”
“Didn’t I resign?” says Nadhim, but “No, you fool,” State.” “No of course not,” says Rishi. “It’s
nobody really knows. “Atlantis?” “Even Penny?” says Carrie. that I was in your government.”
“Yep,” I say. “Well, you should have said that,” I
Carrie says she’s backed by all the say.
mad people, though. “I couldn’t,” he says.
“No, that’s Liz,” I say. “I would have done,” I shrug.
“The other mad people,” says
Carrie. Friday
Funny how there are so many. Sitting on one of Wilf’s swings in the
“God,” I say. “I’m so hot. I left all sun, wearing one of Rishi’s kimonos.
my shorts at Chequers.” Can’t do it up. Jacob Rees-Mogg is
Carrie says I should steal some of sitting on the climbing frame. Can’t be
Rishi’s. Because he abandoned his bothered to run the country. Bored.
whole wardrobe and they’re probably
Prada. Through the windows upstairs, I
“I did,” I say. “But they’re too tight can hear Carrie playing Abba really
to get past my knees.” loudly and smashing things.

Wednesday Then I look up and see that Liz
Final PMQs. Emotional. Alok Sharma Truss is standing there.
is crying. Obviously. Spoddy Starmer
raving on. Bollard! He’s a bollard! “Make yourself comfortable,” I say,
Why can’t I stop saying bollard? nodding at the other swing. But
Bollard! Pointless plastic bollard! obviously, she can’t.

“You mean traffic cone?” whispers “Hasta la vista?” she says. “I didn’t
Liz Truss, who is sitting next to me. get it.”

“Blast,” I say, because I actually do. “Phoenician?” says Jacob, warily.
Then I’m up on my feet again, “Oh for God’s sake,” I say. “Did you
talking about how splendidly the past never see The Terminator?”
few years have gone. Liz asks if that was the one with a
“Mission largely accomplished!” I terrifying robot that has no shape of
say. “And hasta la vista, baby!” its own and takes the form of
Totally works. Everybody cheers. whoever it wants to replace.
“I suppose that’s not the first time “Yes,” I say. “Like you. But actually I
you’ve said goodbye to a baby,” says meant the other robot. Which you
Carrie, afterwards, quite bitterly. might remember also said something
“Don’t sulk,” I say. “We’ll take the else.”
curtains.” Liz frowns.
“I’ll be back!” I say.
Thursday “Don’t care,” says Liz. “I’m still
Now it’s just Liz and Rishi. So I’m redoing those horrible walls.”
Team Liz. *according to Hugo Rifkind

BBC failed to say critic of
NHS pay rise was union rep

Jake Kanter Media Correspondent Debbie Wilkinson is a fan of Jeremy

The BBC interviewed a paramedic Corbyn, the former Labour leader
about the below-inflation NHS pay rise
without declaring that she was a union on June 8th . . . it will be the death sen-
organiser and Jeremy Corbyn supporter. tence for #ourNHS,” she wrote in 2017.

Hugh Pym’s report on Tuesday’s She also has voiced support for
News at Six featured an interview with Corbyn, posing for a selfie with the
Debbie Wilkinson, who said that the former Labour leader in 2017. “So good
rise of at least 4 per cent was a “slap in to meet @jeremycorbyn in my locality
the face” amid the cost of living crisis. and told him I was a local paramedic . . .
told me he was glad to shake my hand,”
Pym did not mention that the para- she said.
medic of 30 years was a Unite repre-
sentative, although she wore a red Ministers set out on Tuesday what
union badge during the interview. they insisted was a “fair and sustainable
settlement” that largely accepted the
An earlier report, on the News at One, recommendations of independent pay
had made clear that Wilkinson was a review bodies.
“paramedic and a union representa-
tive”. However, with inflation heading
towards 11 per cent this year, nurses,
“It’s not enough, nowhere near doctors and teachers have threatened
enough,” she told News at Six. “We need ballots on industrial action.
something that’s going to address the
cost of living and the inflation rises and
actually gives us a comfortable way of
working and being able to live in
between work.”

Millions of viewers tune into the
BBC’s News at Six television bulletin.

Wilkinson has been critical of the
Conservative government on Twitter.
“As a paramedic it is my #publicduty to
tell you that if we don’t get the Tories out

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 37

Visors have News
sporty style
off to a tee Plain or patterned, Direct, needless to say, stamped with a vintage
visors help the but rather the designer monogram print; a snip
You may have fashion pack boutiques of London, at £410. Burberry’s
been avoiding avoid the problem Paris and Milan. Dior’s leather-trimmed canvas
heatstroke of hat hair. Dior’s D-Oblique red cotton design in the brand’s
recently by example, below, visor costs £710. Gucci’s signature check seems a
slathering on costs £710 is tennis-inspired and bargain in comparison
factor 50 and sheltering at a mere £260. Even
under a wide-brimmed second-hand styles are
hat. The fashion pack, in high demand.
however, have been
spotted wearing Gucci’s vintage rattan
crownless visors — the version is going for £300
kind that was once on Vestiaire Collective.
strictly for the links or
tennis court only. The original pioneers,
Olivia Newton-John and
Editors and Madonna, wore them to
influencers at the recent work out or dance with
Couture and Cruise matching skimpy skirts
shows paired their or cycling shorts and
designer visors with sweat bands.
everything from Chanel
tailoring to Dior silk The singer Gwen
pyjamas. It’s certainly Stefani wore her visor
one way to prevent so- well into the 2000s.
called hat hair and Even Barbie had one, in
preserve that pre-show saccharine pink with
blow dry. Never have the “Baywatch” emblazoned
fashion pack and those on the peak.
attending last week’s
Open at St Andrews This month Margot
looked so similar. Robbie was spotted
Whatever next? An rollerskating in a swirl
it-caddy-bag? print, neon iteration
while filming the new
Those worn by Barbie film in Los
the front row don’t Angeles, which is set to
come from Sports be released in July next
year.

Yours may be reserved
for the odd tennis match
or an afternoon on the
putting green. One
thing is certain — you
won’t catch the fashion

pack playing golf in
theirs.

Billie Piper stalker is banned from Mother and
postcode after years of harassment partner beat
boy to death

Will Humphries been banned from visiting an area ciated with stalking and that a stalking court hearing. The hearing was told he John Simpson Crime Correspondent
covering the NW1 postcode in London protection order is necessary. sent a lengthy Facebook message of
A stalker who is obsessed with the and given an electronic tag for two “adoration” to the actress via her A mother and her partner murdered
actress Billie Piper has been banned years. “I am making a series of prohibitions mother and sister, after tracking them her 15-year-old son after a campaign of
from visiting an entire postcode area and requirements . . . You mustn’t do down on the social networking site. abuse and torture recorded on CCTV.
after he harassed her by turning up at A judge imposed the order after any of these things.
her home. Jerome breached the restraining order, Six months later he appeared at court Sebastian Kalinowski was beaten
wrote a letter to Piper “explaining his “The tag you will have to wear at all in Southampton again after he failed to with a bed slat, whipped with an
Philip Jerome, 44, must wear an elec- fixation and obsession”, and visited her times. You must notify the police if you turn up to “important” sessions with a extension lead and stabbed with a
tronic tag that will alert officials if he have changed your address, changed psychologist which the court had needle. He suffered 81 injuries before
enters her London postcode after his Philip Jerome ordered him to attend to deal with his dying of an infection at home in
“obsessive” behaviour left Piper, who had written your name or your usernames. stalking. Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, on
starred in Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Billie Piper Failure to comply with these August 13. He had moved from Poland,
feeling unsafe in her home. 18-page love notification requirements may His latest case was his fourth court where he lived with his father, less than
letters be an offence.” appearance in as many years. a year earlier.
Jerome, from Winchester, posted In 2018 Jerome appeared in
cards through Piper’s letterbox, bom- home. He was warned that court in London and admitted At one previous court hearing , Piper Agnieszka Kalinowska, 35, and
barded her with social media messages he could be jailed for five stalking and was handed a had said in a statement: “I do not feel Andrzej Latoszewski, 38, had denied
for a decade and had written her 18- years if he breaches the restraining order. safe being at home. I do not believe he murder. Police seized CCTV cameras at
page love letters, a court was told. latest order. In February 2019 he would show up and hurt me, however I the house that had been installed partly
appeared in court in don’t know that for sure.” to “monitor and exert control over
Portsmouth magistrates’ court was District Judge David Southampton and ad- Sebastian”, Leeds crown court was told.
told Jerome had broken his existing Robinson said: “I have mitted harassment by A court was previously told Jerome
restraining order and had not attended agreed that you have breaching the restrain- “clearly thinks there’s a relationship Kalinowska, who had admitted child
court-mandated therapy sessions. carried out actions asso- ing order after he sent between them”. cruelty, sobbed when the murder
Piper an 18-page mes- verdict was returned yesterday.
He has been given a Stalking Protec- sage when she did not At the latest hearing, the court was Latoszewski, who had admitted man-
tion Order that lasts until 2026. attend the previous told that Jerome also “poses a risk slaughter, showed no emotion. Mrs Jus-
associated with stalking to another tice Lambert said the killers would not
Under the new order, Jerome has person”. be sentenced until at least October. She
praised the jury for enduring the “quite
Man ordered to stay away from frightened Foy horrifying” CCTV videos and excused
them from future service.
Claire Foy’s “delusional” stalker has protection order was granted. Foy, 38, was sustained and repeated conduct sent an email to Foy’s agent last year
been ordered to stay away from the who played the young Queen in the due to a delusional belief Mr Penrose saying that he was a film director. He Jason Pitter QC, for the prosecution,
actress for five years after sending her first two series of the Netflix show The had about Ms Foy.” followed this with thousands more said: “The punishments, if that is an
thousands of emails and knocking on Crown, was said to have found the stalk- emails. In December last year Foy appropriate way to describe them, were
her door. ing a “deeply frightening experience” He said that the order was necessary called the police after Penrose rang her by any stretch of the imagination cruel
after Penrose targeted her in Novem- to ensure that Foy had “protection from doorbell. and became increasingly more severe
Jason Penrose, 39, sent Foy a letter ber and December last year. further acts of stalking”. Penrose has and violent over time. It would appear
and parcel even after an interim stalk- been “deemed fit for release” from the The five-year-order prohibits Pen- that the punishments were precipitated
ing protection order (SPO) had been District Judge Michael Oliver said: “I mental health centre, the court was rose from directly or indirectly contact- by things such as Sebastian merely
issued in February, magistrates were am sure based on the evidence Mr Pen- told. ing Foy or her publicist Emma Jackson. dropping food on his bedroom floor or
told. He gave his address as Highgate rose has carried out acts associated even just having gone to the toilet
Mental Health Centre and was accom- with stalking.” He added: “Thousands Ella Crine, on behalf of the Metro- There is also an exclusion zone during the night.”
panied by NHS workers at Highbury of emails were sent to Ms Foy and on politan Police, applied for a full SPO covering all but five districts in the
Corner magistrates’ court in London one occasion he attended her address. I against Penrose, saying his actions “af- London borough of Camden. Sebastian attended North Hudders-
yesterday, where a full stalking am satisfied this order is necessary, this fected [Foy’s] life”. field Trust school, where staff described
He must also tell police about any him as “a pleasant and well-mannered
It was previously said that Penrose device which can access the internet. boy” who “at times appeared sad”.

38 2GM Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

World

Ukraine and Russia
agree deal on grain
to tackle food crisis

Ukraine Analysis

Tom Parfitt President Putin the easing of Facing profound Donald Trump Jr texts to Mark Meadows, chief of staff
does not make sanctions. The EU has difficulties on the
Millions of people in the developing deals that do already drafted battlefield, it may try Donald Trump Jr Jan 6, 2021 2.53pm
world could be spared famine after not benefit changes that would the same approach
Russia agreed to allow Ukrainian grain him, and he does not allow frozen bank now, waiting for He’s got to condem this shit.
exports to resume from the Black Sea honour those that funds to be released global indignation to Asap. The capitol police tweet
ports that have been blockaded by become inconvenient in an effort to die down before is not enough.
President Putin’s forces. (Maxim Tucker facilitate the trade of slicing off further
writes). food and fertilisers. slivers of Ukrainian
The accord, brokered by President land.
Erdogan of Turkey and António The world will be An example of good
Guterres, the United Nations secre- tempted to breathe a behaviour could be Part of the deal
tary-general, was signed yesterday in sigh of relief at used as a wedge to try envisages a joint
Istanbul. If implemented, it will help to yesterday’s grain to splinter Europe’s co-ordination centre
alleviate a global food shortage caused export arrangement, strong anti-Kremlin in Istanbul, where UN
by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. which may help to alliance at a moment staff and military
stave off starvation in when right-wing officials from Russia,
“Today there is a beacon on the Black the developing world sympathisers are in Ukraine and Turkey
Sea,” Guterres said. “A beacon of hope, and provide a lifeline the ascendant in Italy would monitor the
a beacon of possibility, a beacon of relief to Ukraine’s economy. and France. movement of ships in
in a world that needs it more than ever.” and out of Ukrainian
Yet it must be wary Russia will also be Black Sea ports.
The goal is to export five million of Russia’s intentions, pleased with the
tonnes of grain a month, a UN official implementation and legitimacy the A similar centre
said. At least 20 million tonnes are expectations. agreement accords it was set up in Donbas
stuck in silos in Odesa. Huge quantities despite its status as an in 2014 under the
of wheat, barley, oil and other agricul- Putin will try to use international pariah. auspices of the
tural products that have accumulated the deal to extract When Russian troops Organisation for
in Ukrainian warehouses also will more concessions — invaded the Donbas Security and Co-
finally be exported. not least having a under the guise of a operation in Europe.
blind eye turned to separatist uprising in Russia used the
President Zelensky said that the deal Russia’s burgeoning 2014, the Kremlin centre, which was
was “entirely” in Ukraine’s interests, trade in grain stolen used a patchwork of based behind
but warned that Russia could use it to and shipped from peace accords to Ukrainian lines, to spy
discredit his nation. “Russia could occupied Ukrainian cement the status quo on troop movements,
engage in provocations,” he said in his territories. He will and keep hold of fortifications and
daily video address. “But we trust the hope his co-operation seized territory. supply lines.
United Nations. Now it’s their responsi- will be rewarded by
bility to guarantee the deal. There is a
chance to reduce the seriousness of Monthly grain exports from Ukraine where are the consequences felt harder Mark Meadows Jan 6, 2021 2.54pm
the food crisis caused by Russia and (million tonnes) 2021 2022 than in communities already impacted
prevent a global catastrophe.” 7 by armed conflict and climate shocks.” Donald Trump Jr Jan 6, 2021 2.58pm I am pushing it hard.
Russia invades 6 I agree
Countries in Africa and elsewhere in Feb 24 5 Over the past six months, Mardini This his one you go to the
the developing world to which much of 4 said, the price of food staples had risen mattresses on. They will try to
the produce would have been sold in J FMAMJ J A S OND 3 by 187 per cent in Sudan, 86 per cent in f**k his entire legacy on this if
recent months have been struggling to 2 Syria, 60 per cent in Yemen and 54 per it gets worse
feed their people. Source: State Customs Service of Ukraine (June 7, 2022) 1 cent in Ethiopia compared with the
0 same period last year.
The agreement is expected to be
accompanied by a guarantee that UKRAINE David Beasley, executive director of
western sanctions against Russia will Odesa Pivdennyi the UN World Food Programme,
not affect exports of its own grain and warned in May that the Ukraine tur-
fertilisers. Those products have not RUSSIA moil was “piling catastrophe on catas- How artful belly dancers
been sanctioned as yet, but inter- trophe”, coming as it did after other
national shipping companies have been Chornomorsk Crimea conflicts, the climate change crisis, the
wary of working with Moscow, mean- pandemic and surging food and fuel
ing it has struggled to send such cargos Black Sea costs. All of that had created a “perfect
from its own Black Sea ports. The deal storm”, with hunger “surging to terrify-
is expected to ease that problem. Istanbul TURKEY 100 miles ing levels” worldwide, he said. Egypt epic poems of al-Sirah al-Hilaliyyah, al-
Aragoz, an old form of Egyptian theatre
Britain and other western states had sian oligarch, was present at the cere- The Istanbul deal allows for Ukrai- Melanie Swan using hand puppetry, and tahtib, a
accused Russia of “weaponising food” mony, although his role was unclear. nian vessels to guide cargo ships down Pharaonic stick-fighting ritual.
through its blockade of the Black Sea a corridor, avoiding mined areas. A belly dancing school has been em-
ports. Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, Shoigu said the agreement would Military craft will not be involved and braced by the cultural division of the Sultan wants the dance to be known
said: “Putin’s barbaric invasion of begin to be implemented within days. must keep to an agreed distance. United Nations in a move welcomed by as “Egyptian dance”, removing the
Ukraine has meant some of the poorest Ukraine’s three main ports of Odesa, Ukraine said exports could be restarted Egyptian dancers anxious to improve stigma attached to the name “belly
and most vulnerable people in the Pivdennyi and Chornomorsk are within weeks if safety guarantees were its reputation. dance”. It was named danse du ventre
world are at risk of having nothing to expected to resume exports. fulfilled. Russia has insisted on inspec- (dance of the stomach) by French colo-
eat. It is vital that Ukrainian grain tions of the grain-carrying cargo ships The Taqseem Institute has been nialists, but has never been known that
reaches international food markets and Robert Mardini, director-general of to be sure they are not also delivering opened in Cairo under Amie Sultan, a way in Arabic.
we applaud Turkey and the UN secre- the International Committee of the weapons to Ukraine. former ballerina who hopes the link
tary-general for their efforts to broker Red Cross, welcomed the agreement, with Unesco, through its partner Sultan made a name for herself by
this agreement.” hailing it as “nothing short of lifesaving The accord will last for 120 days and organisation the International Dance teaching at New York University, which
for people across the world who are can then be renewed. Josep Borrell, the Council, will mean the dance becomes helped her to garner the support of
Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s defence struggling to feed their families. No- European Union’s foreign policy chief, perceived as a respected art form. Naguib Sawiris, an Egyptian business-
minister, and Oleksandr Kubrakov, said it was “a step in the right direction”. man, to help to fund the centre. The
Ukraine’s infrastructure minister, also Unesco has already recognised other school is open to women of all ages and
signed copies of the deal at Dolma- Egyptian culture forms, including the
bahce Palace in Istanbul. Roman
Abramovich, the UK-sanctioned Rus-

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 2GM 39

Mafia family fortunes Plight of the crabs who
flaunted on TikTok give blood to help science
Page 41 Page 42

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE/AP

America torn on whether
Trump should face justice

Outtakes of a video United States Analysis overcoming the will of the American
message recorded people, we can’t survive that.”
the day after the riot David Charter Washington Bennie Thompson,
showed Donald chairman of the Trump’s allies are preparing a drama-
Trump being urged Half of Americans believe Donald January 6 committee, tic government overhaul if he is re-
by his daughter to Trump should be charged over the was unequivocal in his elected, purging potentially thousands
condemn the attack, Capitol riot and almost half do not, opening remarks to the of civil servants and filling career posts
when his supporters highlighting the dilemma over whether hearing on Thursday night (Hugh with loyalists to him and his “America
stormed the Capitol. to prosecute the former president. Tomlinson writes). First” ideology, Axios reported last
The commitee was night. The plans could “strip layers” at
also shown texts Only a quarter of voters believe that “There must be stiff the justice department, including the
between Donald Trump will end up in court, a sign that consequences for those FBI, and reach into national security,
Trump Jr and staff many Americans do not think the responsible” for the effort to intelligence, the State Department and
in the White House Department of Justice will have the subvert the 2020 election and the the Pentagon, it said.
nerve to prosecute or should risk peaceful transfer of power that
further violence by doing so. led to the riot, he said. Without Although 50 per cent of Americans
it, “I fear we will not overcome think Trump should face criminal
Members of the committee investi- the threat to our democracy”. charges, 45 per cent do not. Twenty-
gating the rampage by Trump support- eight per cent believe he will be prose-
ers on January 6 last year said yesterday With Donald Trump eyeing cuted, according to a PBS NewsHour/
that they had presented sufficient another run for the White House NPR/Marist poll released on Thursday.
evidence to warrant criminal charges. in 2024 that threat is clear. But
That decision is up to the Department the wealth of evidence produced There were signs that the commit-
of Justice under Merrick Garland, the by the January 6 committee, and tee’s eight hearings — featuring evi-
attorney-general. the revelations by members of dence from senior Republicans includ-
Trump’s inner circle, have ing Bill Barr, Trump’s attorney-general,
At their final hearing before the strengthened the potential who called the former president’s alle-
summer recess, witnesses said Trump criminal case against him. gations of election fraud “bullshit” —
had spent three hours in a small White had shifted public opinion slightly. The
House dining room watching the attack Legal experts have identified poll found 57 per cent thought Trump
on television and refusing entreaties by three potential charges against deserved at least “a good amount of
senior staff, advisers, friends and his Trump: “obstructing an official blame”, up from 53 per cent in January.
children to call off the mob. proceeding”, for his attempts to
block the official vote count in Voters are polarised: 86 per cent of
Trump was accused of setting Congress on January 6; Democrats, 52 per cent of independent
his supporters on the Capitol after “conspiracy to defraud the voters and 12 per cent of Republicans
Mike Pence, his vice-president, refused United States”, for the wider consider the events of January 6 to have
to follow Trump’s unconstitutional scheme to overturn the 2020 been an insurrection and a threat to
demands to reject election results from election result; and “seditious democracy. Among all voters, this was
swing states won by Joe Biden. Secret conspiracy”, for his alleged role 50 per cent. A further 19 per cent said it
Service agents guarding Pence were so in inciting the riot. was a political protest protected under
shaken by the fury of Trump supporters the First Amendment and 25 per cent
that they called loved ones to say good- The January 6 committee said it was “an unfortunate, past inci-
bye in case they were killed, a security members have made plain that dent and not cause for future worry”.
official told the committee’s hearing on they believe Trump should be
Thursday night. The official’s identity indicted, but the panel itself does Although the committee planned
was hidden and voice disguised to not have the power to prosecute. to wrap up its evidence on Thursday, it
prevent reprisals. That lies with Merrick Garland, said it was receiving so much informa-
the US attorney-general. tion that there would be more hearings
“I think we have proven, not basically in September. The committee revealed
just in this hearing, we’ve proven Even if he believes there is that Trump, 76, eventually agreed to
different components of a criminal sufficient evidence for a record a video message telling his sup-
case against Donald Trump or people conviction, he must consider porters to “go home, we love you”, but
around him in every hearing,” Adam the impact that a criminal trial only after the White House had learnt
Kinzinger, one of two Republican would have on a divided that National Guard troops and other
members of the committee, told CNN country. reinforcements were being mobilised.
yesterday. In another video recorded the follow-
However, Liz Cheney, the ing day, outtakes presented by the com-
“I think taken in totality, this repre- Republican vice-chairwoman, mittee showed that the president still
sents the greatest effort to overturn the posed the question: “Can a refused to say “the election’s over”.
will of the people, to conspire against president who is willing to make 6 Steve Bannon, the former adviser to
the will of the people and to conspire the choices Trump made in the Donald Trump, was found guilty of
against American democracy that violence of January 6 be trusted contempt charges by a court in
we’ve ever had, frankly, since the Civil with any position of authority in Washington last night after refusing to
War . . . It’s up to [the Department our great nation ever again?” comply with a subpoena from the con-
of] Justice now to make a decision . . . If gressional committee.
we become a country that accepts
attempts at coups, and attempts at

of Egypt beguiled the UN Biden, 79, given aspirin to thin his blood

runs 150-hour courses. Women also this dance represents David Charter Washington his age — he is the oldest US president letter released by the White House,
can take lessons in instruments Egypt,” she has said. “It’s — and previous health problems. He adding that Biden was “tolerating treat-
such as the tabla, an Indian how we show ourselves President Biden is receiving aspirin as came close to death aged 45 with two ment well”.
drum, and alongside classes to the world, just like an alternative blood thinner while he brain aneurysms and a pulmonary
she aims to curate a photo- we identify Spain with cannot take his regular medicine embolism. O’Connor wrote that “his symptoms
graphic, written and recorded flamenco.” alongside antiviral treatment for have improved. He did mount a tem-
archive of all types of traditional Sultan is highly Covid-19, his doctor said yesterday. He regularly takes two preventive perature yesterday evening to 99.4 F
dance across Egypt. sought after in Egypt medicines: apixaban, an anticoagulant [37.4C], which responded favourably to
Biden, 79, had “improved” despite used to ward off blood clots and prevent acetaminophen (Tylenol). His temp-
“Oriental dancing is an authentic and has been invited to developing a raised temperature after stroke; and rosuvastatin for reducing erature has remained normal since
Egyptian art with a long history and perform at lavish weddings his diagnosis on Thursday morning cholesterol. Neither is being taken in then. His symptoms remain charac-
origins just like different types of there and in the Gulf. Her with his first coronavirus infection. combination with Paxlovid, the Pfizer- terised as rhinorrhea (‘runny nose’)
dance, such as contemporary dance next project is a touring pro- made antiviral he is taking for five days and fatigue, with an occasional non-
and ballet,” Sultan told Al-Monitor, a duction based on the music The president, who is double-jabbed to treat the symptoms of Covid-19. productive, now ‘loose’ cough. His
news website. “At the end of the day, of Umm Kulthum, one of and double-boosted, is continuing to voice is deeper this morning. His pulse,
the most famous Egyptian work and hold meetings online while “During this time it is reasonable to blood pressure, respiratory rate and
The suggestive tradition singers of the 20th remaining in isolation at the White add low-dose aspirin as an alternative oxygen saturation remain normal, on
House until he tests negative. Concern type of blood thinner,” Kevin O’Con- room air.”
has often raised eyebrows century. for his health is heightened because of nor, the president’s doctor, wrote in a

40 Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

World

Island paradise on Japan’s front line

ALAMY

Japan Construction of a military base has begun on Ishigaki, which is close to the flashpoints of Taiwan and the Senkaku Islands business other than tourism and farm-
ing, the arrival of an estimated 1,000
Richard Lloyd Parry Ishigaki JAPAN naturally head towards Ishigaki and the units on the Nansei chain between the SDF personnel and their dependents
nearby smaller islands. Some fear that mainland and Taiwan. will be a welcome boost for the shrink-
Ishigaki island is one of the most peace- East Pacific China might seize the Senkaku or other ing, ageing population, with collateral
ful places in Japan and even from a China Sea Ocean Japanese islands as a base for an assault As the government’s latest white benefits to the locals building and
perch in the hills you have to look hard on Taiwan from the east. paper on defence, published yesterday, supplying the structure and its occu-
for the cause of all the bitterness. Senkaku Okinawa puts it: “Japan must position SDF units pants. Even so, the base is passionately
Herons and eagles fly through the air Islands Beijing is doing nothing to soothe that suit the security environment and opposed by some islanders, for reasons
and fields of sugar cane, pineapple and CHINA fears about its intentions. In May it deploy them according to the situation that have their roots in the Second
mango stretch for miles, against a back- staged “realistic combat exercises” in in order to defend Japanese nationals’ World War.
drop of the blue waters of the East Ishigaki Island the East China Sea. Chinese warships, lives and property.”
China Sea. submarines and aircraft carriers in- In 1945, months before the atomic
Taiwan 300 miles creasingly pass through international Nowhere is the anxiety felt more bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki,
It is only through binoculars that you waters between Japan’s southwest is- keenly than in Ishigaki. “Since the Rus- Okinawa was the scene of the only bat-
can clearly make out what is causing all the self-governing democratic island lands, and Chinese coastguard vessels sian invasion of Ukraine I have heard tle of the Pacific War fought on Japan’s
the trouble: a cluster of tractors and which China insists must be retaken, by chase Japanese fishing boats away from our people saying, ‘That could happen home islands. Some 14,000 American
cranes at the foot of a green mountain. force if necessary. the Senkaku. in Taiwan,’ ” said Yoshitaka Nakayama, troops, 77,000 Japanese soldiers and
the island’s mayor. “Amami island has a 149,000 Okinawan civilians perished in
In a few months’ time this untidy An invasion of Taiwan would pro- Okinawa island, the centre of the base, Miyako island has one, and so a savage battle that came to be known
construction site will be a military base voke a crisis in East Asia at least as grave prefecture of which Ishigaki is a part, does Yonaguni island. Ishigaki doesn’t as the “typhoon of bombs and steel”.
for the Japan Self-Defence Forces at that caused in Europe by the Russian hosts 26,000 US military personnel — and that means we would be the first
(SDF). Close to 600 military personnel invasion of Ukraine, potentially drag- under Tokyo’s treaty with Washington. to be attacked.” It remains a cause of resentment to
will be based here, along with batteries ging the US and its allies into war with In the past six years, in a conscious ef- those who believe that the Japanese
of anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles China. It could also unleash a flotilla of fort to take greater responsibility for its The new base promises economic high command consciously sacrificed
on mobile launchers. boat-borne refugees who would own defence, the SDF has established benefits for what is Japan’s poorest Okinawans in order to delay an inva-
prefecture. On an island with little sion of the mainland. The prefecture
To its proponents, it is an essential continues to bear a disproportionate
component of Japan’s accelerating defence burden 77 years later: Okinawa
efforts to protect its outlying islands in hosts 70 per cent of American bases in
a region transformed by the growing Japan despite having only 1 per cent of
power and assertiveness of China. To the country’s population, and 0.6 per
its opponents, it is the equivalent of a cent of its land area.
giant bullseye painted on the green
innocence of Ishigaki; a provocation There are plenty of people who be-
that will make the tranquil island an in- lieve that the SDF base in Ishigaki is a
evitable target in any future conflict. consequence of indifference to the
wellbeing of Okinawans. Among them
It is also throwing up resentful mem- is Yamazato, leader of a group calling
ories of the bloody and tragic history of itself the Society of Grannies to Protect
this part of Japan, which more than any Life and Livelihood. She lost her
other has reason to fear the effects on brother in a torpedoed ship, her baby
civilians of war between great powers. sister to malnutrition, and her mother
to the malaria epidemic that killed
Setsuko Yamazato more people in Ishigaki than bombs or
bullets combined as they cowered in
survived the the island’s jungle.

horrors of war in “People in Tokyo talk about defend-
ing the country but why must we be the
1945 and wants to ones to pay the price?” she said. “At the
core of my being is the determination
prevent a repeat never to allow the lives of islanders be
sacrificed again.”
“When it’s finished this base will be the
perfect target for an enemy,” said Setsu- Despite the opposition of people like
ko Yamazato, an 84-year-old activist her, Nakayama has been re-elected as
who is campaigning against the SDF mayor four times, a record that he in-
base. “If there is a war, then the whole sists speaks of public support for the
island will be a battlefield.” base. Activists demand a referendum
on the issue, which he steadfastly refus-
Ishigaki is 1,200 miles from Tokyo. It es. Instead, he attempts to soothe anxi-
is closer to Shanghai than the Japanese eties with a plan that would attempt to
mainland. To the casual observer it is a evacuate Ishigaki’s 50,000 locals, plus
delightful subtropical backwater, a tourists, by air in the event of a conflict.
place of beaches and coral reefs, but in
geopolitical terms it is on the front line His opponents say the small airport
of East Asia’s security tensions, close to itself would be a target of Chinese
two of the region’s most dangerous attack. “Compared to the last war, it will
potential flashpoints, either of which be completely different next time,” said
could give rise to a future superpower Yamazato. “They’ll fire missiles, they
conflict. may use atomic bombs. Last time, we
survived for half a year in the jungle.
The first is the Senkaku, the small un- This time it will be over in minutes, and
inhabited islands which are adminis- there will be nowhere to run.”
tratively part of Ishigaki but which are
claimed by China under the name
Diaoyu. More important still is Taiwan,

Lawless South Africa faces its own Arab Spring, warns former president

South Africa 2008. However, he pointed the finger of corruption watchdog about the alleged bank to investigate. Susan Booysen, Mbeki when at least 330 people were
blame directly at President Rama- theft of up to $4 million in cash from his author of Precarious Power: Compliance killed as rioting and looting swept
Jane Flanagan Africa Correspondent phosa, accusing him of failing to tackle private farm, something that was never and Discontent under Ramaphosa’s through parts of the country in violence
the country’s problems. “When he reported to police. ANC, said the scandal had “collapsed” prompted by the jailing of Zuma for
Record unemployment, poverty and delivered his state of the nation address his efforts to style himself “as the king- contempt of court.
growing unrest have put South Africa in February, he said in 100 days there The president, one of South Africa’s pin of the [party’s] clean-up . . . I cannot
on course to “explode” with its own must be a comprehensive social com- richest men, has denied any wrongdo- see how this will not impact the ANC Jakkie Cilliers, of the Institute of
version of the Arab Spring protests, pact to address these matters. Nothing ing and said that the amount in- leadership election. He needs a miracu- Security Studies, echoed Mbeki’s alarm
Thabo Mbeki has warned. has happened. Nothing,” he told the volved — proceeds from the lous explanation to survive this one.” over further unrest, again fuelled by
gathering of party loyalists. sale of rare cattle — was far ruling party power struggles. “It’s a
The 80-year-old former president less than the sums reported. A judicial inquiry into corruption dangerous year for South Africa
said in a blunt statement that the “cor- The attack is a further blow to during the Zuma presidency was also because the violence and the instability
rupt” African National Congress Ramaphosa’s ambition to win an ANC The public protector’s critical of Ramaphosa’s decision to in the ANC is spilling over and becom-
government had “no national plan” to leadership election later in the year. He office had threatened to stay silent about the worst excesses ing practically a threat to ordinary
tackle a deepening crisis. “You can’t has many enemies in the party who subpoena Ramaphosa after during the years he spent as Zuma’s South Africans,” he said.
have so many people unemployed, so have remained loyal to Jacob Zuma, his he asked for more time to deputy. In July last year South Africa
many people poor, people faced with predecessor, who is accused of corrup- provide information South Africa is grappling with an un-
this lawlessness,” he told mourners at a tion on a huge scale. about the incident in had a glimpse of the sort of wide- employment rate 45 per cent, which
memorial service for a government 2020. Opposition spread unrest envisaged by rises to nearly 64 per cent for those
figure. “One day it’s going to explode.” Ramaphosa has not helped himself members have aged under 24. Africa’s most indus-
after being ensnared in his own sleaze called for the Thabo Mbeki has attacked trialised economy also ranks as the
Mbeki succeeded Nelson Mandela as scandal. He yesterday responded to revenue service world’s most unequal nation for which
president and has made only cautious questions from South Africa’s anti- and reserve the government for not wealth data is available.
public statements since leaving office in
having a “national plan”

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 41

World

Herculean labour returns looted $1m fresco to rightful owners

Philip Willan Rome was looted from a villa in Herculaneum The Ercolano Fresco was among Rome’s new Museum of Rescued Art. by Cyrus Vance Jr, the district attorney
in 1995 and purchased that year by the 142 artefacts returned to Italy Sixty works of art that formed part of when many of the artefacts were seized,
An ancient Roman fresco from Hercu- Steinhardt for $650,000, with — the restitution were recovered from the of displaying a “rapacious appetite for
laneum that depicts an infant Hercules according to US prosecutors — no ver- neum, was part of a total of 142 antiqui- Royal-Athena Galleries, a New York plundered artefacts without concern
strangling a snake has been returned to ifiable provenance. ties valued at about $14 million which dealership closed by Jerome Eisenberg, for the legality of his actions”.
Italy after being confiscated in the were handed over to Italian officials in its owner, in 2020.
United States. Steinhardt undertook to refrain from New York and will go on show in Steinhardt denies wrongdoing and
acquiring antiquities in exchange for Eisenberg, who died this month, de- his lawyers have indicated he may take
Known as the Ercolano Fresco and immunity from prosecution. scribed himself as “an idealist and a legal action against dealers who gave
valued at $1 million, the work was one of hypocrite”, admitting it was likely he him unreliable provenance papers.
48 antiquities seized from Michael Like its larger southern neighbour had unwittingly bought illegally
Steinhardt,a hedge fund manager who Pompeii, Herculaneum was buried exported objects. Manhattan’s district Among other items returned to Italy
is one of the world’s most important under volcanic ash when Mount Vesu- attorney’s office thanked him for co- were three 4th-century BC frescoes
collectors of ancient art. vius erupted in AD79. operating with its investigation. from Paestum depicting mourning
women. They had been hacked from
The fresco, which dates from AD50, The depiction of Hercules, the Greek Steinhardt, in contrast, was accused the wall of a tomb.
hero who gave his name to Hercula-

Young mafiosi BHASKAR NANDI/SOLENT NEWS

use TikTok

to flaunt their

family fortunes

Italy threats, notably this month after the Water hazard A farmer receives a soaking during a Miochara cattle-racing festival near Canning, West Bengal. The event
murder of a man linked to members of goes back 100 years but its popularity is waning in part because of the danger to onlookers from beasts running wild
Tom Kington Rome the Carrillo-Perfetto clan, who may
have been killed by enemies in the Paris stores fined if they keep doors open
Italian mafia bosses once ran their Calone-Marsicano clan. A TikTok
criminal rackets from the shadows but message, apparently written by France tickets leading to court fines of up to thanks to its heavy use of nuclear
such secretiveness has become a thing Carrillo-Perfetto clan members, €150. Dan Lert, the deputy mayor in power, which supplies 70 per cent of its
of the past as a new generation of named the alleged killers and warned Charles Bremner Paris charge of “ecological transition”, said he energy, but President Macron is impos-
mobsters talk to each other, and the police: “We are giving you a week to was “outraged” by the large number of ing a programme of “energy sobriety”
world, on TikTok. arrest them or we will raise hell.” Air-conditioned shops in Paris have shop managers who thought nothing of in response to the crisis over Russian
been ordered to shut their doors or face leaving entrances open in a heatwaves. gas.
Long used by teenagers for posting After a kneecapping by one family fines after the council voiced outrage
videos from their bedrooms, the social said to have been carried out in over a “huge, irresponsible waste of Restaurants and cafes with adjoining The government wants business to
media platform has attracted criminals response to taunting by another clan on energy”, especially at department terraces will be exempt from the rule. lead the way with an array of “small ges-
in Naples, who are using it to show off the platform, the Il Mattino newspaper stores and luxury brand outlets. tures” on electricity and gas and it is
their opulent lifestyles, announce in Naples appealed for police to remove Last week Elisabeth Borne, the prime urging the population to follow suit.
vendettas and forge alliances. accounts linked to mobsters. “This aberration must cease in the minister, attacked the air-conditioning
present context of climate emergency habits of shops across the country. Thermostats must be set at 19C or
Typical videos show them swigging Severino Nappi, a Naples councillor, and energy crisis,” Anne Hidalgo, the Several other towns have imposed below, and wi-fi and internet systems
expensive champagne from the bottle, filed a complaint with magistrates after mayor, tweeted. Starting immediately, doors-closed rules. France has long en- must be off and appliances unplugged
flashing designer watches, enjoying finding a page with smiling photos of municipal police will issue penalty joyed relatively cheap electricity, when absent for a weekend or more.
luxury holiday resorts and eating in mobsters designed like a Who’s Who of
Michelin-starred restaurants. the Camorra.

“For the first time these gangsters “The Camorra has followed the
have found a direct way to speak up Mexican narcos, who are keen users of
about their lives,” Marcello Ravveduto, TikTok, while gypsy criminals in Rome
a professor of modern history at the are also using it,” Ravveduto said.
University of Salerno and an expert on
mafia communication, said. “The In Naples, gangsters are using it to
Camorra [the Neapolitan mob] has the idolise murdered friends, including
youngest members of
Italy’s mafias Emanuele Sibillo,
and they love who has become an
TikTok because underworld hero
it’s so quick and since he died in
has less rules 2015.
than other plat-
forms.” Ravveduto said
the Camorra’s love
The trend is in of TikTok risked
stark contrast landing bosses in
with the Sicilian jail as police dedi-
mafia tradition of cate increasing
pencilling cryptic time to following
notes for go-be- their accounts.
tweens to take to
fugitives in hide- Crime bosses
outs. risk the same fate
as Domenico
“Now that it has Palazzotto, the
discovered Tik- Sicilian mobster
Tok, the Camorra who used Face-
wants to show that it is up there book to post
with the glamorous elite,” Ravveduto photos of himself cruising on motor-
said. boats and eating lobster shortly before
he was arrested at the age of 28 in 2014.
Crescenzo Marino, son of a Camorra Police wiretaps suggest that local
boss and who also has been investi- bosses are becoming alarmed at the use
gated for mafia membership, has gar- of TikTok. Officers listened as Antonio
nered 43,000 followers with his videos Abbinante, a prominent gangster,
of designer clothing, pit bull dogs and blamed an affiliate for provoking police
meetings with Neapolitan rappers. pressure on the clan by boasting online
about its power and ability to murder its
Luxury lifestyles apart, Camorra rivals.
clans are also using TikTok to make “I get really furious about this,”
Abbinante said. “I am going to split
Crescenzo Marino, son of a mafia boss, open the head of whoever did this.”

flaunts his lifestyle to 43,000 followers

42 2GM Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

World WESLEY LAPOINTE/LOS ANGELES TIMES/GETTY IMAGES

Roe rebels take
fight to homes of
top US justices

Hugh knife was arrested near Kavanaugh’s LA finds shelves stacked high with Jordan on the shelves. Nike is one of the brands
Tomlinson home in Maryland on the outskirts sought-after footwear. The store’s return marks
of Washington last month. Nicholas its sole at another sign of LA’s post- that is luring committed
washington Roske, 26, faces charges of Although online Covid revival. The trendy
attempted murder. the trainer business boomed in the Fairfax area, which has “sneakerheads” to
Two weeks after he and his past two years, Eddy Lu, been blighted by a spate
fellow conservatives on the Conservatives pounced on the mecca store chief executive of GOAT of robberies, should also congregate at Flight Club in
US Supreme Court voted to incident to claim that Democrats, Group, which owns Flight benefit from Flight Club’s
overturn Roe v Wade, the left-wing activists and even the Walking is not Club, said: “Sneakers are comeback. LA now it has reopened
constitutional right to White House were encouraging the preferred such a tactile experience.
abortion in America, Justice Brett vigilante attacks to avenge the mode of “It is a physical product Lu said that although after a pandemic closure
Kavanaugh went out for dinner at abortion ruling. Ted Cruz, a transport for and something you can’t the space has been
Morton’s, an upmarket steakhouse Republican senator, claimed that many in Los Angeles, a replicate online. That’s redesigned — an Amsterdam, agreed that
in Washington. the protests outside the justices’ city synonymous with the why it’s so important to industrial look has shopping online did not
homes were worse than the riot on car, so its love affair with have that in-person replaced the minimalist capture the joys of
Within minutes, protesters acting January 6 last year, when Trump shoes may come as a experience, to really have pre-pandemic layout — visiting the store in
on a tip-off gathered in front of the supporters stormed Congress. surprise (Keiran all the feels and smells of the core attraction person.
restaurant to harangue him for his “Shameful. And the Biden White Southern writes). the store.” remained. “Traditional
vote in a ruling that has led to House is encouraging this lawless retail stores are all about He left Flight Club as
nationwide protests by pro-choice mob intimidation,” Cruz tweeted. Yet Angelenos with an Once a niche pursuit, the sales transaction,” Lu the proud owner of a
activists and Republican states The Texas senator also claimed on eye for fashion place being a “sneakerhead” said. “We’ve never felt $485 pair of Nike Patta x
enacting their own abortion bans. Fox News that the January 6 mob great importance on their now means being part of that way about Flight Air Max 1 trainers,
were “protesting peacefully”. trainers and the Flight a global community. Club. In some ways it’s “ecstatic” to have visited
Witnesses said that Kavanaugh, Club store, home to rare like going to a and insisting it was
one of three judges appointed to the That comparison has been and valuable shoes, was a Flight Club has almost museum.” superior to a well-known
court by Donald Trump, securing a challenged on the left. The abortion cultural hub before its three million followers on rival store close by.
6-3 conservative majority on the protests come amid evidence from doors closed in March Instagram, and GOAT Bas Roels, a 16-
bench, neither saw nor heard the the congressional committee 2020 at the start of the Group, which also runs year-old “The atmosphere
protests but left by a back entrance. investigating the riot that Trump pandemic. stores in New York and tourist here is way
Morton’s, outraged, said: “Politics, and his allies encouraged the Miami, was valued at from
regardless of your side or views, violence as a last-ditch attempt to Its long-awaited $3.7 billion last year. better,” he said.
should not trample the freedom at cling to power. One protester was reopening this week was Flight Club
play of the right to congregate and shot dead, a police officer died after welcomed by customers Fans visiting the LA
eat dinner.” he was beaten and hundreds were who could again browse branch will find brands sells the sought-
injured during the riot. such as Yeezy, designed after Travis
Pro-choice activists show no sign by the rapper Kanye Scott X Air
of backing down. In the days since Challenged on Fox News about West, and Nike Air Jordan 1 Low
the protest at Morton’s, the group the demonstrations targeting the OG sneakers,
ShutDown DC has appealed to staff justices, Pete Buttigieg, the which
in the expensive bars and transport secretary, said that public depending on
restaurants of the capital for tips on figures “should expect” peaceful the size can cost
sightings of the six conservative protest and criticism, particularly more than $1,450.
justices. ShutDown has offered cash after “an important right that the
rewards to waiters and bar staff who majority of Americans support was
find themselves serving one of the taken away”.
judges, with $50 for a confirmed
sighting and $200 more if they are ShutDown DC is unrepentant.
still there when protesters gather. After declaring the justices fair
game, the group announced plans to
The offer has provoked outrage picket next week’s congressional
among Republicans and some charity baseball game, in protest
commentators. Activists have staked against the evidence from the
out the justices’ homes amid anger January 6 committee that several
at the ruling, as Republicans call for Republican congressmen conspired
other constitutional rights, including with Trump in his attempt to
gay marriage and access to overturn the 2020 result and then
contraception, to be reversed. sought pardons.

A man armed with a pistol and a “We disrupted Brett Kavanaugh’s
steak dinner and we will disrupt the
congressional baseball game,”
Shutdown tweeted this week. “The
monsters tearing apart our country
deserve no peace.”

Pink sky at night is a psychedelic delight Plight of the crabs who give
their blue blood for science
Australia nal cannabis company in Australia. The
Clouds above Mildura reflected light drug is still illegal for recreational use in United States the creatures died after the procedure.
Foreign staff from a medicinal cannabis farm Australia, but its medical use has been However, Mark Faherty, science co-
allowed since 2016. About 260,000 Keiran Southern Los Angeles ordinator at the Mass Audubon’s Well-
Residents of Mildura, northern Victo- because the world’s ending’. And Mum’s prescriptions have been approved for a fleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, said such
ria, were surprised when a pink glow lit like: ‘What’s the point of eating your tea variety of illnesses, from chronic pain to On the moonlit beaches of Cape Cod, low numbers were unsupported. The
up the night sky above their quiet rural if the world’s ending?” sleep disorders. fishermen go hunting for an ancient true figure, he said, could be 30 per cent.
town. Some speculated that aliens were species that helps to check modern
invading. Others feared it was the com- Officials in the town on the banks of Although the location of the farm is a medical science is safe. Other crabs suffer reduced mobility
ing of the apocalypse. the Murray River soon realised that the closely guarded secret, for locals the or have their reproductive ability
source of what locals called a “sunset on glow has shed some light on it. The horseshoe crabs are taken to a harmed.
“I was just being a cool, calm mum, steroids” was closer to home. It was laboratory and drained of about a third
telling the kids: ‘There’s nothing to caused by a new area of a farm set up by Peter Crock, Cann’s chief executive, of their blue blood, which contains the Faherty accepted that the import-
worry about,’” said resident Tammy Cann Group, the first licensed medici- said the cannabis grew under lights only known natural source of a sub- ance of limulus amebocyte lysate — the
Szumowski. “But in my head I’m like, until 7pm each day. stance that detects toxins, such as in substance found in the crabs’ blood —
what the hell is that?” coronavirus vaccines. meant harvesting must continue, but
“Normally the blackout blinds close said Massachusetts’ crab population
Other locals thought the unworldly at the same time as the sun sets,” he However, campaigners fear the could not support the procedure.
pink light might be coming from an said. “Last night we had the lights on impact on the vulnerable species is far
unusually bright red moon before real- and the blinds hadn’t yet closed. When greater than drug companies admit. Birgit Girshick, chief operating offi-
ising that it was emanating from the we put the plants to sleep, the lights cer of Charles River Laboratories, said
ground, rather than the sky. went off.” This year Charles River Laboratories it worked closely with local regulators
has been permitted by the state of to ensure the crabs were handled safely
Szumowski told the BBC: “Mum’s on He said the LED lamps glowed pink Massachusetts to harvest the crabs. and returned to their native waters.
the phone and Dad’s in the background because they worked on a different The company said about 4 per cent of
going: ‘I better hurry up and eat my tea wavelength to most lights.

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 2GM 43

Business

world markets (Change on the day) commodities currencies

FTSE 100 Dow Jones Gold Brent crude (6pm) £/$ £/€
$1,730.39 (+17.22) $105.10 (+0.48) $ $1.2021 (+0.0052) $ €1.1753 (+0.0019)
7,276.37 (+5.86) 31,899.29 (-137.61) $ ¤
2,200 140 1.300 1.200
8,000 34,000
1.175
7,500 32,000 2,000 120 1.250
1.150
7,000 30,000 1,800 100 1.200
1.125
June 23 Jul 1 11 6,500 Jul 8 28,000 11 1,600 11 80 11 1.150 11 19
19 June 22 30 19 June 23 Jul 1 19 June 23 Jul 1 19 June 23 Jul 1 19 June 23 Jul 1

Port Talbot caught in political limbo as Tata warns of closure

Robert Lea Industrial Editor government will continue to support its more than 4,000 people and, along The Financial Times reported Kwarteng Tata wants to pull down its carbon-int-
Port Talbot plant in south Wales. with Tata’s sold-off Scunthorpe steel- aides as saying that the business secre- ensive blast furnaces and replace them
The future of Britain’s biggest steel- works, now Chinese-owned, is the tary was a supporter of the steel indus- with much lower-emission electric arc
works is set to become a political foot- The company, part of the giant foundation of much of British industry try’s need to decarbonise “but not at models designed to produce so-called
ball in the run-off between Liz Truss Indian multinational Tata Group, across the energy, automotive, aero- any cost”. An aide was reported as green steel.
and Rishi Sunak to be the next leader of which also owns Jaguar Land Rover space, rail and construction sectors. adding: “This is an issue for the new
the Conservative Party. and Tetley, has been in talks with min- administration.” Natarajan Chandrasekaran, chair-
isters for two years about what support Pleas for answers to Tata’s demands man of Tata Group, told the Financial
With six weeks more of campaigning the taxpayer will give it to close the blast for £1.5 billion of support this week were Kwarteng has supported Truss dur- Times: “A transition to a greener steel
between the foreign secretary and the furnaces and decarbonise Port Talbot met by Kwasi Kwarteng, the business ing the Tory leadership campaign, plant is the intention, but this is only
former chancellor to replace Boris — measures needed to keep the 120- secretary, washing his hands of the which suggests that if Sunak were to possible with financial help from the
Johnson, Tata Steel has warned that it year-old steelworks viable. affair, saying that any decision must be win he might be out of a job, while if government. Without this, we will have
needs urgent answers as to whether the signed off by a new prime minister. Truss wins he might be promoted. to look at closures of sites.”
The plant, near Swansea, employs

Twitter parks JD SPORTS Revolt over
its losses at
Musk’s door A leap in demand for its sportswear enabled JD Sports to deliver a £654.7 million bosses’ pay
pre-tax profit over the course of the year, with like-for-like sales rising 5 per cent
Global headwinds compound ad slowdown at JD Sports

Callum Jones largest advertising business and owner Dominic Walsh
of Google and YouTube, slipped $6.44,
US Business Correspondent or 5.6 per cent, to $107.9. JD Sports suffered a backlash over pay
yesterday as investors speaking for
Twitter has blamed Elon Musk’s erratic Musk, 51, formally moved to drop his more than a quarter of the shares voted
pursuit of the company and a global purchase of Twitter this month, citing a against the remuneration report.
advertising slowdown for its revenues lack of clarity over the prevalence of
unexpectedly declining last quarter. fake accounts on its platform and alleg- A year after the chairman of the
ing executives had “failed or refused” to retailer’s remuneration committee was
The social media group swung into provide relevant information. The kicked off the board over executive
the red in the three months to June, company, in turn, sued the tycoon, bonuses, the report received backing
during which Musk revealed a 9 per claiming he caused “irreparable harm” from investors accounting for 72.3 per
cent stake and agreed to buy the to its business and setting the stage for cent of votes cast.
business for $44 billion, only to then months of legal wrangling. Both sides
threaten to terminate the deal. He has are expected in court in October. The company said that the slight in-
subsequently pulled out entirely, set- Twitter has asked a Delaware judge to crease in votes backing the report from
ting the scene for a court battle. force Musk to complete the deal. 68.5 per cent to 72.3 per cent “recog-
nised the progress that is being made”. It
Revenue at Twitter declined 1 per Twitter, founded in 2006 and based added that it was “committed to main-
cent to $1.18 billion over the period, shy in San Francisco, runs one of the taining dialogue with shareholders”.
of the average $1.32 billion forecast world’s largest social networks. It
among analysts. It reported a net loss of accepted Musk’s $54.20-a-share offer in At last year’s annual meeting Andrew
$270 million, down from profit of April after he built up a large stake and Leslie, 75, then chairman of the remu-
$65.6 million in the same period in 2021. rejected an invitation to join its board. neration committee, was voted off the
board as investors rebelled against al-
Trading was challenged by “uncer- Monetisable daily active users on the most £6 million of bonuses paid to Peter
tainty” surrounding the acquisition and platform — a key metric for Twitter — Cowgill, 69, its chairman. Shareholders
“advertising industry headwinds asso- grew 16.6 per cent on the year to finish were unhappy at the payment of bonus-
ciated with the macroenvironment”, June at 237.8 million “driven by product es while the company was accepting
Twitter said. Advertising sales increased improvements and global conversation furlough support.
2 per cent to $1.08 billion while other around current events”, it said.
revenue, including subscription fees, In a trading update at yesterday’s
dropped 27 per cent to $101 million. Twitter maintains that fake accounts annual meeting, JD Sports forecast
amount to fewer than one in 20 of its another year of record profits.
The failure to meet consensus Wall active users. Musk has repeatedly cast
Street expectations — hours after doubt on the claim. Twitter acknowl- Like-for-like sales rose by 5 per cent
Snap, owner of Snapchat, reported its edged that it applied “significant judg- year-on-year in the five months to the
weakest sales growth since listing and ment” to reach this figure, however, and end of June and pre-tax profits for the
did not provide guidance for the cur- the number of so-called spam accounts full year to the end of January 2023 “will
rent quarter — has set the stage for a “could be higher”. be in line with the record performance”.
choppy set of earnings from Silicon
Valley next week. “We are continually seeking to It delivered a £654.7 million pre-tax
improve our ability to estimate the total profit over the year after a leap in
At the close yesterday, shares in Snap number of spam accounts and elimi- demand for its sportswear. Shares fell by
had slumped 39 per cent, or $6.40, to nate them from the calculation of our ½p, or 0.4 per cent, to 142p.
$9.96 in New York; Twitter rose 0.8 per mDAU [monetisable daily active 6 Shareholders at HomeServe, the
cent, or 30 cents, to $39.84; Meta Plat- users], and have [suspended] a large emergency home repairs business,
forms, owner of Facebook and number of spam, malicious automation delivered a rebuke to Tommy Breen, the
Instagram, fell $13.90, or 7.6 per cent, to and fake accounts,” Twitter said. chairman, and Tom Rusin, head of the
$169.27; and Alphabet, the world’s US division. At yesterday’s annual meet-
ing more than 36 per cent voted against
the remuneration statement after proxy
investors led a revolt against Rusin’s 15
per cent pay rise last year. More than 20
per cent voted against the re-election of
Breen after shareholders complained
about a lack of diversity on the board.
HomeServe is about to be taken over
by Canada’s Brookfield Asset Manage-
ment in a deal worth £4 billion.

44 Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

Business Falklands’ black gold rush

Need to know The odds are shortening ing to the Rockhopper plan, and there The Falkland Islands’ GDP could triple and production in the nearby Sea Lion field
are regulatory hurdles still to over-
1 Nationwide rail strikes are set on the South Atlantic come, including a sign-off in Westmin- that oil would flow by 2017. It never Falklands, and in December it with-
to cripple Britain’s network a ster, a final investment decision could came to pass, though. The oil price fell, drew, with Navitas taking its place.
day before the Commonwealth becoming an energy be taken in two years’ time. and while Premier and Rockhopper When the deal closes the Israeli com-
Games after talks to resolve a spent money on studies and pany will take a 65 per cent share of the
dispute over pay, jobs and powerhouse, writes The Falklands has been the next big engineering work on how to bring the field, with Rockhopper keeping 35 per
conditions broke down. Elsewhere, thing in oil several times in the past. field into production, actual develop- cent. Rockhopper raised $10 million
British Airways staff accepted a Dominic O’Connell Industry giants, including Shell, ex- ment was shelved. this month to help to fund its side of
new pay offer and called off a plored without luck in the 1990s, and the agreement.
planned strike at Heathrow Head north from the Falkland Islands, there was a flurry of interest around Premier was distracted by problems
airport. Pages 2, 5 across the South Atlantic waves where 2010 when a rapidly-rising oil price at other fields and a shaky balance Tadmor, who has separate interests
albatross wheel and whales sound, and sparked a prospecting rush. sheet. In March last year it merged with in film production, including the 2016
2 Interest rates will have to rise you pass over what could be a big new another medium-sized oil company, movie Norman, starring Richard Gere,
as high as 7 per cent to allow oil province — a significant source of A gaggle of Aim-quoted explorers Chrysaor Holdings, with the combined said that the Israeli group had been
tax cuts, according to hydrocarbons controlled not by nicknamed the “sheikhs of the South company renamed Harbour Energy. tracking the Sea Lion field for some
Professor Patrick Minford, Liz sheikhs or oligarchs, but by the United Atlantic” — including Desire Petrole- time. “We were interested going right
Truss’s economic guru, as the run- Kingdom. um, Falkland Oil and Gas, Argos Harbour was less interested in the
off between the foreign secretary Resources, Borders & Southern and
and Rishi Sunak to be the next The Falklands might seem an odd Rockhopper — raised money from
leader of the Conservative Party candidate to become an energy power- investors eager to believe that riches
gathered pace. Page 8 house. The likely presence of commer- awaited. It was a febrile atmosphere;
cial quantities of oil has been known for comments on investor bulletin boards
3Twitter has blamed Elon decades, yet successful development at the time showed many who bought
Musk’s erratic pursuit of the has always seemed improbable. The the shares believed Britain’s willingness
company and a global islands were too remote, the weather to fight to reclaim the Falklands from
advertising slowdown for its too inhospitable, the cost too high. Argentine invasion in 1982 was proof
revenues unexpectedly declining enough that large quantities of oil
last quarter. The social media Now, however, the odds are shorten- would be found.
group swung into the red in the ing. The Sea Lion field, which has been
three months to June. Page 43 an on-again, off-again prospect since After that rush of activity, however,
oil was discovered there 12 years ago, is the oil price dropped and market inter-
4 The future of Britain’s biggest on again. Rockhopper, the exploration est fell. Rockhopper, a tiny company
steelworks is set to become a venture that found it, has struck a headquartered in a Wiltshire farm-
political football in the run- development deal with Navitas, an house, is one of those to have stayed
off to be the next leader of the Israeli oil company with a reputation the course, and has the licence not
Conservative Party. Tata Steel has for bringing difficult prospects into pro- only for Sea Lion but other potential
said it needs urgent answers as to duction. Its chief executive, Gideon fields. Moody, below, who is Rockhop-
whether the government will Tadmor, was an influential figure in the per’s co-founder as well as its chief
continue to support its Port Talbot opening up of the eastern Mediterrane- executive, first got involved in 2004
plant in south Wales. Page 43 an as a big new source of gas, and the after having conversations with
company recently completed a deal to Richard Visick, the one-time owner of
5 JD Sports suffered a backlash develop the Shenandoah field in the Weddell Island, the third-largest in the
over pay as investors speaking Gulf of Mexico, which had previously Falklands. “The acreage that Shell and
for more than a quarter of the been discounted for being in water too others had been exploring was coming
retailer’s shares voted against the deep with well pressures too high. off licence — it was open for someone
remuneration report. Page 43 else to come in. Richard said ‘I think
“We are closer than we have ever there is an opportunity here’, and we set
6 The Falklands might seem an been to it actually happening,” says it up together.”
odd candidate to become an Ashley Kelty, senior oil and gas analyst
energy powerhouse; but the at the stockbroker Panmure Gordon, In 2010 Rockhopper struck oil on Sea
Sea Lion field, an on-again, off- who made the trip to the islands to Lion, not far from where Shell had been
again prospect since oil was found examine the project when it last looked working more than a decade earlier.
there 12 years ago, is on again. likely to happen. “It will transform the “They missed it only by about 1,000
Rockhopper, the exploration economy of the Falkland Is- metres,” Moody says. The discovery,
venture that found it, has struck a lands,” says Sam Moody, which is estimated to contain at least
development deal with Navitas, an Rockhopper’s chief execu- 500 million barrels, made Rockhop-
Israeli oil company. Pages 44-45 tive. “And it is big enough to
make a difference to the per a potential target for other oil
7 Shoppers cut back on online security of the UK’s explorers hungry for promising
spending and were hit by energy supply.” prospects. It held talks with
rising petrol costs in June, Cairn Energy before striking a
offsetting a boost to food sales on Argentina, which has de-
the Jubilee bank holiday weekend. nounced oil and gas explora- development deal with Premier
Official figures show a 0.1 per cent tion in Falklands waters as ille- Oil, a London-listed company
dip in retail sales volumes between gal because of its territorial
May and June. Page 46 claim to the islands, re- with interests in the UK,
mains implacably op- Mexico and Asia.
8 Britain’s biggest banks have posed. Environmental Premier paid
been named and shamed by campaigners have in $231 million up-
the regulator for publishing the past also objected, front for a 60 per
inaccurate information about although a local wild- cent stake, with
interest rates, overdrafts and levels life charity is not call- the promise to
of performance. Lloyds Banking ing for a blanket ban. pay another
Group, HSBC, Barclays and $770 million of
NatWest were among six If all goes accord- development
institutions identified for costs. The part-
transgressions by the Competition ners predicted
and Markets Authority. Page 47
Phoenix reveals plan to take Stanley Gibbons off Aim
9 Carl Pei’s Nothing, as the 32-
year-old Swede’s London- Emma Powell tional activities and future plans than Taking the stamp trader private needs announced it would be quitting the UK
based start-up is called, is the company has into theirs, a factor the backing of 75 per cent of investors market and maintaining a sole listing on
aiming to take on the might of The rare stamp and coin trader Stanley which reduces the company’s relative New York’s Nasdaq. The company
Apple and Samsung with its Gibbons has become the second com- competitiveness,” the board said. added a secondary listing in the US in
Nothing Phone, which went on pany this week to unveil plans to delist October 2020, designed to boost the
sale on Thursday. Page 48 from London’s junior Aim market, after Taking the company private requires liquidity in its shares, attract more US-
pressure from its largest shareholder. 75 per cent of shareholders to vote in based life science investors and enable
10Patrick Drahi, the favour of the shares being delisted. more acquisitions in the US.
telecoms tycoon building Phoenix Asset Management, which
a stake in BT, is pursuing has a stake of just over 58 per cent in the Given the likelihood of the delisting If shareholders do not vote for the
a potential sale of part of his company, said that there were “clear being approved, the company has delisting, Phoenix said it would “recon-
heavily indebted US business, a benefits” in withdrawing from the instructed its broker to purchase any sider its continued financial support”.
deal that could have ramifications public market including cost savings shares from investors willing to sell at a
for Britain’s largest telecoms group. and a lack of financing benefits, with price of 1½p each, equating to a 3.5 per Phoenix is the company’s sole credit-
Altice USA is exploring the sale of the listing unlikely to deliver “signifi- cent premium to Thursday’s closing or and the asset manager’s support was
Suddenlink, which provides cable cantly wider or more cost-effective price, until the last day of trading on vital to Stanley Gibbons continuing to
and internet services in the south- access to capital” than the funding Aim. The delisting is expected to take trade, the company said. The continued
central part of the US, for up to options provided by Phoenix. place on September 7. support of Phoenix would be a pre-
$20 billion. Page 49 requisite to obtaining auditor sign-off
“The company’s peers also have far This week Abcam, one of Britain’s as a going concern for the company’s
greater insight into its strategy, opera- most successful biotechnology busi- accounts for the year to March.
nesses and largest companies on Aim,

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 45

Business

might at last be a reality Centrica and

could replace all UK Russian oil imports, say the heads of Rockhopper and Navitas, which have signed a development deal terranean makes me believe that oil Shell profits
discoveries are positive developments
Sea Lion field back to when Premier got involved,” esting source of funds: Israeli investors, — if we do well then other oil compa- return sector
ARGENTINA he said. “It is a perfect fit for us. We like who Tadmor says are eager for more ac- nies, even the majors, will come to the
situations where there are challenges, cess to oil and gas assets. He dismisses Falklands.” to scrutiny
FALKLAND Stanley and we have a track record of making opposition to new oil and gas fields on
ISLANDS things work in difficult places.” climate change grounds. “The truth is Both Moody and Tadmor are, under- Emily Gosden Energy Editor
that the transition from hydrocarbons standably, keen to stress the impact that
Development field According to Tadmor, much of the to new sources of energy is going to take oil production could have on British Shell and Centrica are poised to
Exploratory wells hard work has already been done. “Pre- much longer than people think, and in energy security. “This could be big reignite scrutiny of energy company
Production licence areas 125 miles mier and Rockhopper together have the meantime we will need new sources enough to replace all the oil imports the profits next week as they report surging
spent a lot of money on the develop- of oil and gas.” UK has from Russia,” Moody says. income and consider an increase of
ment. We will refine the production returns to shareholders.
concept, but basically we see this as He is also relaxed about Argentina’s It will also be a big deal for the Falk-
getting an asset which is already a long denunciations. “We are aware of the lands economy. The Falkland Islands Shell is expected to say that second-
way down the road.” conflict, but it is a UK territory. government — there is a newish quarter adjusted earnings doubled to a
administration in place after elections record $11 billion from $5.5 billion in the
Navitas also brings access to an inter- “Our experience in the eastern Medi- that took place in November last year same period of 2021 because of soaring
— will take a 9 per cent royalty on each prices and refining margins after
barrel produced, and will also charge Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
corporation tax on the Sea Lion opera-
tions. “Depending on what your as- The company is expected to launch
sumption is about the oil price, that is a more buybacks of its shares, which Ben
giant amount of money for the islands,” van Beurden, the chief executive,
Moody says, while Tadmor estimates described last week as “very signifi-
that the first phase could triple the cantly underpriced”. Some analysts
Falklands’ gross domestic product at also believe it could increase its divi-
a stroke. dend, which stands at 25 cents per share
or almost $2 billion per quarter.
In a statement, the Falkland Islands
government said that it supported oil Centrica, the owner of British Gas, is
production “provided it is done to the due to report the same day as Shell and
necessary standards”. It said it was too is expected to declare a five-fold surge
early for definitive plans on how oil in first-half adjusted operating profits
revenues would be used. “However, the to £1.3 billion as it too benefits from
Falkland Islands have significant higher commodity prices. Analysts be-
infrastructure renewal requirements,” lieve it will bow to shareholder pressure
a spokesman said. and risk a political backlash by resum-
ing a dividend payment for the first time
Esther Bertram, chief executive of since before the pandemic.
Falklands Conservation, a charity that
is devoted to protecting the island’s The results come as consumers face a
wildlife, said that the group did not cost of living crisis with record fuel and
oppose all oil development but wanted household energy prices, which have
additional environmental safeguards, already triggered a windfall tax on
including new laws, protection for North Sea oil producers.
inshore waters and funds in place for
any remedial work required. Yesterday, TotalEnergies agreed to
cut fuel prices for motorists in France,
“I think it will be quite interesting to
see what happens because in the recent $11bn
elections many voters talked about the
environment being one of the big issues Second-quarter adjusted earnings
for them,” she said.
are expected to double at Shell
While some Falkland islanders may
hope that the deal with Navitas will Source: Times research
bring their dream of riches closer,
others will remember that much has under pressure from the government.
been promised before, and that much Centrica’s profit surge is expected to
hangs on the oil price. Rockhopper
and Premier calculated that the Sea be driven by its Norwegian oil and gas
Lion field had a breakeven cost of about fields, which it has now sold. Even ex-
$40 a barrel, well below the current cluding these, Martin Young of Invest-
$100-plus. ec, forecasts that its profits could hit
£676 million because of the UK North
“I think there is a much higher Sea business and its stake in Britain’s
chance of it happening than at any time nuclear plants, which have cashed in on
in recent years,” said Werner Riding, high electricity prices, more than off-
oil and gas analyst at Peel Hunt, setting a fall in profits at British Gas.
Rockhopper’s broker. “It will have a
motivated new operator in Navitas, and He believes that it could declare an
they should be able to finance it. It is a interim dividend of 0.75p per share, or
good-sized resource and by the time about £44 million. “It’s not a blowout
they reach the final investment deci- number,” he said, adding that Centrica
sion they will have confidence on needed to be “a healthy investment
proven reserves. At a $100 oil price it is proposition” and if it didn’t reinstate the
definitely bankable.” dividend now “we’re having the same
conversation six months down the line
Controversial Volkswagen boss ousted by unions in the depths of winter”, by which time
energy bills are forecast to have risen
Russell Hotten over the top job after the diesel emis- several times. Diess also pushed for the praised his role in “advancing the trans- even higher.
sions scandal that cost the company stock market listing of Porsche. formation of the company”.
Volkswagen’s chief executive Herbert billons of euros, and subsequently Shell cut its dividend for the first time
Diess, who led the carmaker’s big push vowed to turn VW into the world’s However, the VW works council, “Not only did he steer the company since the Second World War in 2020,
into electric vehicles and has also biggest maker of electric vehicles. with seats on the supervisory board and through extremely turbulent waters when the pandemic led to a collapse in
repeatedly clashed with unions, is to backing from 300,000 employees, but he also implemented a fundamen- oil prices, slashing quarterly payouts by
leave the company. The company owns brands, includ- fought Diess’s efforts. The Cox Auto- tally new strategy,” Pötsch said. two-thirds, from 47 cents to 16 cents per
ing Audi, Seat, Lamborghini, Bentley motive analyst Michelle Krebs said the share. As oil and gas prices rebounded
His future at the German auto giant and Skoda. turmoil around Diess had possibly be- Blume, 54, was always considered a it rebased its dividend to 24 cents per
had been called into question several come a distraction at VW. “It shouldn’t replacement for Diess when his con- share a year ago and has since edged up
times but intensified last year during He is leaving three years before the be a surprise because his tenure has tract expired in 2025. He started his the payout to 25 cents.
disputes with the powerful works end of his contract and the announce- been rocky and controversial,” she said. career at VW’s Audi brand, and was
council over his strategy and manage- ment came hours after he posted on appointed to VW’s management board, Biraj Borkhataria, head of European
ment style. LinkedIn: “After a really stressful first The former chief executive Bernd responsible for production, in 2018. energy research at RBC Capital
half of 2022 many of us are looking for- Pischetsrieder and a head of the VW Markets, said Shell could raise its divi-
Diess, 63, will leave on September 1 ward to a well-deserved summer break.” car brand, Wolfgang Bernhard, were Pötsch said: “Oliver Blume has dend by 30 per cent, to 33 cents per
and will be succeeded by Oliver Blume, both ousted after clashes with VW’s proven his operational and strategic share.
chief executive of Volkswagen-owned Diess pushed through tough cost- works council. skills in various positions within the
Porsche, who will keep his position as cutting and accelerated the electrifica- group and in several brands and has Giacomo Romeo, of Jefferies, said he
head of the luxury car brand alongside tion strategy in a bid to catch up with Hans Dieter Pötsch, chairman of managed Porsche from a financial, tech- thought Shell may announce a $4 bil-
his new responsibilities. Diess took Tesla, whose chief executive Elon Volkswagen’s supervisory board, nological and cultural standpoint with lion quarterly buyback. Oswald Clint, a
Musk has praised the German’s effort thanked Diess in a statement and great success for seven years running.” senior analyst at Bernstein, suggested
that Shell’s board “may now see reces-
sion risks as too great and prefer to bol-
ster the balance sheet”.

46 2GM Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

Business

Jubilee celebrations soften blow US business
to retailers as web spending falls
activity drops
WILLIAM BARTON/ALAMY
for first time
Mehreen Khan Economics Editor The surge in inflation and the slowdown in the economy has seen UK consumer confidence fall to its lowest on record
in two years
Shoppers cut back on online spending ers were under pressure to slash prices chief UK economist at Pantheon facilitating a modest recovery in retail
and were hit by rising petrol costs in to stimulate spending, despite facing Macroeconomics, said that consumer sales,” Tombs added. Callum Jones
June, offsetting a boost to food sales on higher energy and materials costs. spending could pick up in the coming
the Jubilee bank holiday weekend. months on the back of government He said that incomes would fall to a Business activity has contracted for the
“As the cost of goods goes up, there is support measures to alleviate the cost post-Covid-19 low “as government first time in the US since the early
Official figures show a 0.1 per cent dip increasing pressure on businesses to of living crisis. policy support announced to date will months of the pandemic as rampant
in retail sales volumes between May reduce prices as consumers cut back on not offset the huge hit to real disposable inflation and rising interest rates took
and June, better than a drop of 0.2 per their discretionary spending, prioritise “The total of £4.6 billion of [govern- incomes from October’s likely 65 per their toll.
cent forecast from economists, but discounts and offers, and switch to ment] support in the third quarter is cent rise in the energy price cap. So un-
another slowdown after sales were value and non-premium brands. Such equal to 1.2 per cent of quarterly nomi- less the next prime minister acts fast, Output across the world’s largest
revised down to a decline of 0.8 per cent cuts may narrow margins but are nal disposable incomes. Accordingly, both retail sales volumes and house- economy fell by more than expected
the month before. essential to maintaining cashflow,” households’ real disposable incomes holds’ total real expenditure looks set to this month, according to a closely
Patchett added. Samuel Tombs, the likely will edge up in the third quarter, fall back again in the fourth quarter.” watched survey, amid a sharp slow-
Retail sales figures have become a down in key service sector industries.
key indicator for the health of the eco-
nomy as rising inflation eats into S&P Global’s preliminary composite
household income and savings while PMI output index fell to 47.5, down
many businesses are being forced to from 52.3 in June and the worst reading
pass on higher costs to customers. since May 2020. Anything short of 50
indicates a contraction in activity.
The retail sector as a whole has fallen
into recession after contracting in the It comes amid heightened concern
first and second quarters, Martin Beck, over the direction of the US economy,
chief economist at the forecasting which some people fear has already
group EY Item Club, said. entered a recession as the Federal
Reserve tries to combat price growth.
Online retailers suffered a 3.7 per
cent drop in sales, the worst since Chris Williamson, chief business
March 2020 last month, while a rise in economist at S&P Global Market Intel-
market oil prices led fuel sales to fall by ligence, said: “The preliminary PMI
4.3 per cent. The Office for National data for July point to a worrying deteri-
Statistics said “retailers suggested the oration in the economy. Excluding
fall was linked to record-high petrol and pandemic lockdown months, output is
diesel prices impacting the amount of falling at a rate not seen since 2009
fuel people were buying”. amid the global financial crisis, with the
survey data indicative of GDP falling at
Monthly retail sales excluding fuel an annualised rate of about 1 per cent.
rose by 0.4 per cent.
“Manufacturing has stalled and the
Surging inflation and a slowing service sector’s rebound from the pan-
economy has pushed UK consumer demic has gone into reverse, as the
confidence to the lowest on record, ac- tailwind of pent-up demand has been
cording to a monthly survey by GfK. overcome by the rising cost of living,
higher interest rates and growing
Inflation is running at 9.4 per cent gloom about the economic outlook.”
but a rise in global oil and natural gas
prices could force inflation higher than Fed policymakers are due to convene
the 11 per cent peak forecast by the next week for their latest rate-setting
Bank of England for this year. Analysts meeting. They are widely expected to
at Bank of America are projecting a order another significant increase to
peak in inflation of 12.5 per cent in try to curtail inflation, which has
October, when households will receive remained stubbornly high.
their winter electricity bills.
The latest weak economic reading is
Rising food sales over the Jubilee was likely to intensify concerns that the US
the only bright spot in the data. “Cloth- economy is mired in a protracted
ing purchases dipped along with house- downturn. GDP data for the second
hold goods, with retailers suggesting quarter will be released next week.
consumers were cutting back on spend-
ing due to higher prices and concerns The equivalent PMI indicator for the
around affordability,” Heather Bovill, eurozone fell into outright contraction
deputy director for surveys at the ONS for the first time since the start of the
said. pandemic, indicating that the 19-coun-
try bloc is heading for a recession by the
Aled Patchett, head of retail and con- end of the summer. The index fell to
sumer goods at Lloyds Bank, said retail- 49.4 this month, from 52 in June.

Private sector maintains run of growth Amex lifts sales forecasts
as customers splash out
Mehreen Khan faced intense wage pressures from a economic growth in July and is consist-
shortage of labour and demands from ent with a GDP expansion of 0.2 per Callum Jones ment came roaring back in the quarter.
Output in the UK’s private sector is workers for higher pay. Other business- cent at the start of the third quarter. The The company said that consumer
holding up better than expected this es said they were feeling the pinch from economy faces being on the brink of US Business Correspondent spending in the category topped pre-
month, with tentative signs that the falling value of the pound, which recession if official data shows it con- pandemic levels for the first time in
inflationary pressures on businesses has made imports more expensive. tracted in the three months to June. American Express has lifted its annual April. There also was a significant up-
are beginning to ease. revenue forecast after consumers tick in corporate travel.
Chris Williamson, chief business Consumer price inflation is expected continued to spend heavily on their
A closely watched survey showed economist at S&P Global, said that to peak well above 11 per cent this year credit cards despite the highest infla- The results are yet another example
that economic output had continued to on the back of rising global food and tion in a generation. of the conflicting headlines that inves-
expand in July but the rate of growth 17 energy prices. But significant drops in tors are seeing as they weigh up the
was the slowest since Covid-19 lock- big commodities in the past month, The financial group now expects likelihood of a recession.
downs in 2021. Number of consecutive months that driven by recessionary fears, has helped annual sales growth of between 23 and
the economy has expanded to reduce cost pressures on businesses. 25 per cent, up from a previous projec- Decades-high inflation is forcing the
The flash purchasing managers’ Output prices fell to their lowest since tion of between 18 and 20 per cent. Federal Reserve to raise rates in order
index (PMI) hit 52.8 this month, down Source: S&P Global/Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply January, according to the PMI survey. to cool off the economy.
from 53.7 but still above the 50 thresh- Stephen Squeri, the chairman and
old that marks expansion, and above companies’ costs were rising at the The services industry, which powers chief executive of American Express, At the same time, pent-up consumer
analysts’ expectations. The economy slowest pace in nearly a year, helping the economy, was the best performing said that card member spending had demand, particularly for experiences
has expanded for 17 consecutive businesses that had been hit by surging sector last month, while manufacturing risen by 30 per cent on the year, driven like travel, concerts and other enter-
months, according to the index. inflation and supply disruption since production levels fell for the first time in by the recovery of travel and entertain- tainment, has many spending freely.
the pandemic. “Inflationary pressures two years. ment expenditure.
Businesses said that cost inflation have cooled markedly, stemming from Weighing on American Express’s
was showing signs of easing after a fall fewer supply shortages and more dis- Services were held up by spending on In the second quarter, American performance was the need to add
in global commodity and energy prices counting in response to the weakened travel and leisure, the survey said, while Express earned $1.96 billion, or $2.57 $410 million as a provision for credit
in the past month, according to the demand environment,” he added. “goods producers typically cited a lack per share, on revenue of $13.4 billion. losses.
survey, which was compiled by S&P of new work to replace completed Last year it earned $2.28 billion, or
Global and the Chartered Institute of The survey is an early indicator of orders, reflecting subdued client confi- $2.80 per share, in the second quarter. However, shares in the company
Procurement & Supply. dence and weaker global economic closed up $2.81, or 2 per cent, at $153.01
conditions”. Spending on travel and entertain- in New York yesterday.
Services companies said they still

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 47

Dominic O’Connell Business

Politicians have had their chance ... it’s time to Big banks
call in Britain’s best bosses and entrepreneurs rebuked for
failing their
customers

‘‘It’samazingwhat sure he would like the publicity, David Byers Assistant Money Editor
you can find out if
you just hang however, so is probably ruled out. Britain’s biggest banks have been
around chatting to
people. At a book Some of the best chancellors have named and shamed by the regulator for
awards in 2011 I was talking to an
Italian industrialist when he pointed been Scottish, so why not Jane Fraser, publishing inaccurate information
to a distinguished-looking man on the
far side of the room. “You see him? Scottish-born boss of one of the about interest rates, overdrafts and
He will be prime minister of Italy in
two weeks’ time”, he said. world’s biggest banks, Citi? You don’t levels of performance which in some
I vaguely recognised the person
indicated — Mario Monti, an get to the top of Wall Street without cases went back five years.
economist and former European
commissioner. Italy had just had a being clever and having rat-like Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC,
debt crisis and was struggling to form
a government (as it is again now). I cunning. She did spend time at Barclays and NatWest were among six
thought no more about it — until, of
course, Monti’s appointment as head McKinsey, but we can let her off on institutions identified yesterday by the
of a new technocratic government
was announced a fortnight later. that one. Competition and Markets Authority
After a depressing week of
squabbling between the candidates to The most difficult appointment is for transgressions, which the regulator
lead the Conservative Party in
Britain, perhaps we could learn from health secretary. The future of the said had “let down” their savers.
Italy. Why not get a group of
businesspeople to run things here? NHS is one of the most intractable The banks volunteered information
This is not a serious suggestion.
Voters would not accept an unelected, issues for any government. It will in a about their breaches to the CMA under
unaccountable group of bosses
running the country, and it would tax couple of years account for 44 per the body’s “retail banking market in-
the brains of constitutional experts to
come up with the circumstances cent of departmental spending, yet vestigation order”, which it introduced
under which it might be possible. It’s
more of a game of fantasy football — even that amount of money is not in 2017 to set out standards for display-
which entrepreneurs and chief
executives would you choose for your delivering a good service. Treatment ing information accurately to custom-
dream cabinet?
Let’s start with transport secretary. lists are long, and growing longer; ers to stop mis-selling scandals.
There are lots of reasonable
contenders — Sir Brian Souter, co- healthcare is being rationed by Where products are found to be
founder of Stagecoach, would
certainly put the fear of God into civil making people wait. Radical reform is misrepresented to savers, banks must
servants, while Sir Stelios Haji-
Ioannou, another entrepreneur who difficult, because any attempt is refund the affected customers. If banks
made his millions from mass
transportation, would make life less stopped by alarm that the door is fail to correct their errors, the CMA has
dull. My choice, though, is another
knight, Sir Richard Bowker, the being opened to privatisation. the power to take them to court to force
former chief executive of the Strategic
Rail Authority, who went on to run There will be no queue of their removal.
National Express and to chair the
Football League. applicants for this job, so I am going Barclays was found to have failed to
Bowker would rub many people up
the wrong way, as he did when he to volunteer Justin King, the former keep interest rate information for its
steered the railways out of one of
their periodic crises in the early years boss of Sainsbury’s. Not only has he overdrafts up to date on two of its web
of the century, but he has the rare
combination of understanding run big organisations before, but he pages between August 2019 and No-
operations and finance. He also
delivers withering putdowns when has seen up close the shortcomings of vember 2021, while HSBC failed to pub-
confronted with dumb ideas, which is
something that should always be the healthcare system during his time lish information about its maximum
encouraged.
How about foreign secretary? I am as chief executive of Four Seasons charge for overdrafts between Februa-

care homes. ry 2020 and May 2022.

A cabinet of all the talents; now I Lloyds branches as well as Halifax

need to hear your suggestions for and Bank of Scotland, which it owns,

prime minister. published incorrect information about

comforted by the thought that any YouTuber? Or Dua Lipa, model their service rankings and failed to
appointment could scarcely do worse turned singer who has shown herself
than the two most recent holders of to be a canny exploiter of social PS update interest rates on its website
the post, Liz Truss and Dominic Raab. media? Either would bring a fresh
The latter stayed on holiday during approach, but in the end I will go for EDF is asking for more time to between April 2021 and April 2022.
the evacuation of Kabul, the former Angela Ahrendts, former boss of
seems to take delight in screaming Burberry. She has an outsider’s complete its new nuclear power NatWest was found not to have
about cheese imports. appreciation of UK culture, knows all
about making the most of brands station at Hinkley Point in Somerset. updated its records digitally after
Sir Roger Carr, outgoing chairman online, and did a sterling job of
of BAE Systems, is my pick; well used supercharging a big organisation It wants the government to give it a branch and ATM closures, as well as
to lengthy negotiations, and, having while at the fashion house. Simon
spoken to many people who have sat Cowell could be a junior minister. year’s grace so it doesn’t miss out on misrepresenting interest rates for small
on boards with him, it is uncanny
how they found themselves doing Chancellor is where you might payments for electricity. The officials business loans online.
what he wanted when they set out to expect a wealth of choice, but it is
do something completely different. tricky to think of names with the considering this should also think Another bank, Metro Bank, will be
necessary experience of managing a
It will be hard to do without Nadine big debt burden, endless calls on a about something else — what forced to refund almost 100 customers
Dorries as culture secretary, but limited pool of money, and
sacrifices must be made. Her formulating a long-term strategy to happens if EDF just walks away? after overcharging them for entering
replacement should never talk again restore productivity and growth.
about the future of Channel 4 or the The French government will take unarranged overdrafts between August
BBC, but concentrate instead on If you think we are heading for a
Britain’s future media industries. debt crisis, a good call might be control of the company next year; the 2017 and January 2022.
There are many good candidates. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the boss of Ineos,
How about PewDiePie, the Swedish- who understands how debt markets expense of a British power station Bank of Ireland was criticised for
born influencer, real name Felix work and faced down a giant
Arvid Ulf Kjellberg, who is reckoned consortium of banks when Ineos might not fit its plans. If EDF ditches listing incorrect details of branch loca-
to be Britain’s most successful came under pressure in 2008. I’m not
the contract, we are left with a big tions and current account charges

hole in the ground, and not much between June 2020 and April 2022.

chance of completing it to the original James Daley, of the consumer ratings

’’design. Governments can outsource organisation Fairer Finance, said:
“These organisations all have signifi-
many things, but cant compliance teams and yet they are
failure on important still getting the basics wrong. Hopefully
national projects these letters from the CMA will serve as
always lands back in a wake-up call and eliminate misinfor-
Whitehall. mation on banks’ websites.”

Dominic O’Connell is business The CMA said all six banks had said
presenter for Times Radio they were “making changes to their op-
dominic.o’connell@times.radio erations” to prevent further breaches.

48 Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

Business

How to make much ado about Nothing

Carl Pei aims to take JOSHUA BRATT FOR THE TIMES tive pricing, it starts at £399, means it
is unlikely to break even, Pei admits,
on the might of Apple Unlike a traditional not least because of recent exchange
smartphone, Carl rate swings (it is designed in London
and Samsung with Pei’s Nothing displays but made in China and India).
on front and back
his new smartphone, However, he says a higher price
of products looking and feeling the would have likely been commercial
James Hurley writes same. It’s hard for consumers to dis- sucide. “Our industry is one of scale.
tinguish between brands. At the start Today we’re small but if we cannot
An entrepreneur’s big idea being of the smartphone revolution, com- show tomorrow that this is a com-
greeted with the accusation that they panies took a lot more risk. Today, pany that has a chance to become the
have lost their marbles is one of the people are playing it way too safe.” next Apple, then we’re not going to
more familiar founder clichés, but get the support we need.
Carl Pei is more justified than most in At first glance the Nothing phone
deploying it. does not look like a radical departure “There’s no boutique smartphone
from industry norms, but it does have in the world. If your volume is low,
Nothing, as the Swede’s London- some unusual design features. Only you’re going to get charged more for
based start-up is called, is aiming to two cameras, for example; most rivals components [and] suppliers want you
take on the might of Apple and have three or four. “The dirty little to prepay, so you need a lot of cash.
Samsung with its Nothing Phone, secret is that brands will only put one You’re kind of stuck as a niche player.”
which went on sale on Thursday. good camera [on] and two or three
cheap ones, with the intention of get- Pei says that the phone’s develop-
“Most people think we’re crazy, a ting the consumer to believe, wow, ment has given him some (barely
lot of investors thought we were four cameras, it must be perceptible) grey hairs. Convincing
crazy during the fundraising as well,” good.” suppliers that Nothing was a serious
says Pei, 32. prospect during a global logistical
The phone’s most un- logjam caused by the pandemic was
The scepticism over the first smart- usual feature is its “glyph among the biggest challenges.
phone from a British company in six interface”: a back inset
years is understandable. With close with more than 900 “We had to beg, borrow and steal
to 1.4 billion handsets sold last year, it LEDs that can be illumi- from the entire industry. I tried every
is one of the biggest consumer pro- nated in different ways angle, like, I’m just a kid with a
duct categories in the world, but a to silently communicate dream,” he jokes. “Eventually we got
mere five players have 70 per cent of notifications from the it together.”
phone even when it is
the global market. “The entry barrier face down, such as a call The company has raised about
is so high that no other start-up will from an important per- $145 million in equity backing from
really attempt this,” says Pei. son, or to indicate bat- investors including Sweden’s EQT
tery life. Ventures, fortunately secured shortly
At least he has industry credentials before the recent crash in listed tech-
on his side. At the age of 24 he co- “The modern smart- nology stocks. Pei hopes that strong
founded OnePlus, a Chinese con- phone is a slab of screen, sales figures would mean he can raise
sumer electronics manufacturer. The half of the surface area is further funds if they are needed.
company’s first device, a smartphone, unused,” Pei says, calling
sold close to a million units in 2014 that a “very controver- Nothing’s headquarters are in
against a sales target of 50,000. sial, hard to understand London, where about 50 of its 360
decision” in a low-mar- staff are employed. The city remains
Pei left the company in 2020, feel- gin product category. a “great place to really tap into talents
ing that his desire to shake up the from all over the world”, he explains.
industry was being stifled. Nothing, The phone’s competi- “If you’re going to start anything in
he says, is an attempt to challenge Europe, I do think London is the best
what he calls “supply chain thinking”. place because of the deep talent pool.”

Rather than trying to inspire users Pei hopes that technology enthusi-
through innovative and provocative asts and those working in creative
design choices, smartphones have
become dull and commoditised sectors will be among the
because of the need to optimise for early adopters who can
efficiency across a global supply drive interest in Noth-
chain, the reasoning goes. ing’s handset, al-
though he was con-
“It’s let’s talk to our supply chain, cerned about hype
figure out their roadmaps, what before its launch,
components are available, what’s the tweeting that it’s “only
colour, what’s the new material finish, a phone”.
versus something more fundamental: “There’s a lot of
what kind of change do we hope to market anticipation
bring about? What’s our product and interest in us. But
design vision?” we need to remember
that we haven’t passed
Instead of relying on market re- our real test, which is
search about what consumers think getting the product
they want, Nothing’s phone is the into the hands of
result of the choices of Pei, colleagues consumers and seeing
and partners including Adam Bates, if they’re satisfied. It’s
ex-design lead at Dyson. easy for founders to get
caught up in PR. It
“It’s a product we made for our- doesn’t matter what
selves first and foremost because the buzz is. You need to
once you get too data-driven you get focus on the product.”
stuck,” Pei says. “You end up with a lot

New phone has the backing to stand out

With a distinguish the British even aid picture-taking phone does all the other
starting start-up’s new effort in low light. It’s well stuff you would expect it
price of from smartphones by executed and fun, if a to do without much
£399, those more established little gimmicky — fuss, the display and
the players. But its back is although it can be camera are impressive,
Nothing Phone is a mid- decidedly unusual: a useful in circumstances sound and battery life
range handset that will network of LEDs laid where you want to avoid are decent and the build
directly compete with out under a transparent looking at your screen quality is good.
other Android-powered cover in a circuit said to but still be silently
rivals such as Google’s be inspired by Harry alerted to important The phone may not be
Pixel and Samsung’s Beck’s famous map of calls or messages; a “flip the revolution that the
Galaxy ranges rather the London to glyph” mode silences hype surrounding it
than more expensive Underground. the phone when face- suggested it might be,
iPhones from Apple. down so users can but for an affordable
The white lights can instead rely on light debut handset from a
To the untrained eye, be set to produce notifications. hardware start-up only
when its screen is facing unique patterns for formed in 2020, it’s an
up, there’s little to certain notifications, or More importantly, the admirable feat.

the times | Saturday July 23 2022 2GM 49

Business

BT’s biggest shareholder looks to sell stake in US cable business

Alex Ralph is working with investment bankers at Suddenlink is a brand of Altice USA, building for a review, raising further Teads, an ad tech company, fell through
Goldman Sachs, Bloomberg reported. one of the largest broadband and video uncertainty over his investment in BT. last August; and a float of Sotheby’s, the
The telecoms tycoon building a stake in services providers in the country with auction house Drahi bought in a
BT is pursuing a potential sale of part of A possible sale triggered a rebound in more than five million residential and Drahi, who has declined to comment $3.7 billion deal in 2019, has gone quiet.
his heavily indebted US business, a deal shares of Altice USA in New York, business customers across 21 states. on his intentions for BT beyond issuing
that could have ramifications for which this year had fallen to their a statement in support of management Analysts at Exane told clients with
Britain’s largest telecoms group. lowest since Drahi, 58, spun off the US Drahi emerged as BT’s largest share- and its strategy, has a reputation as a regards to Drahi’s BT stakebuilding
business from his other international holder in June last year, via Altice UK, serial dealmaker, renowned for lever- that the fall in Altice USA shares, new
Altice USA, whose chairman is telecoms assets in 2017. a Luxembourg-based vehicle, but the aged buyouts and fierce cost-cutting. entrants to the telecoms market in Por-
Patrick Drahi, is exploring the sale of fortunes of parts of his empire have tugal and the aborted Teads float had
Suddenlink, which provides cable and The stock rallied by more than a fifth since deteriorated. A potential sale of Suddenlink comes “stymied Altice’s ability to raise capital”.
internet services in the south-central on Thursday but remains about two after a series of abortive deals by Altice.
part of the US, for up to $20 billion and thirds down on its $30 issue price, and Kwasi Kwarteng, the business secre- Plans to sell its business in Portugal Altice declined to comment on a sale
closed yesterday at $11, 3 per cent up. tary, in May called in Drahi’s stake- were halted in January; the US listing of of Suddenlink.

THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

The tie-up between BT

Sport and Eurosport UK will

bring together events from

the Champions League to

the Tour de France

Sports TV tie-up is
cleared by watchdog

The competition “substantial lessening” the Uefa Champions access to the Discovery+ and Eurosport UK will was launched in 2013 as the pay-TV sports
regulator has of competition in the UK League and Premier entertainment service. initially retain their a free service to retain market for two decades.
cleared BT’s and had given the League football, separate brands”. broadband customers.
deal with industry until last Premiership rugby, the BT said yesterday that Philip Jansen, BT’s
Warner Bros Sunday to raise issues. Olympic Games, tennis the CMA’s decision The venture provides Gavin Patterson, the chief executive since
Discovery to set up a Grand Slams and the would allow the creation BT with a potential full former chief executive, 2019, has prioritised
televised sports joint The CMA said Tour de France. BT of the joint venture in exit in the future. It has had wanted to stem investment in upgrading
venture that will yesterday that it did not customers will also have the “coming weeks”, spent billions buying customer losses to Sky, the Openreach
combine BT Sport and plan to launch an in- although “both BT Sport rights since BT Sport which had dominated broadband network.
Eurosport UK (Alex depth phase two inquiry.
Ralph writes).
The green light for the
The Competition and deal left shares in BT
Markets Authority down 3¾p, or 2 per cent,
launched an initial at 177¼p, suggesting the
merger inquiry at the City had not been
end of May after the expecting competition
deal was struck that issues to jeopardise the
month. Officials joint venture.
reviewed whether the
tie-up would result in a The 50-50 partnership
will bring together
sports rights including

Beazley cheered despite a More companies struggling,
$193m hit to investments says restructuring firm boss

Ben Martin Banking Editor Share price was its most profitable division, with a Tom Howard the taxman, are still being “supportive”
combined ratio of 74 per cent. Pre-tax for the time being.
Beazley has cheered investors after a 550p profits rose to $64.8 million from The number of companies beginning to
better-than-expected underwriting $22.1 million a year earlier, while premi- struggle is rising as the economic out- If the economy does take a turn for
performance at the Lloyd’s of London 500 ums nearly doubled to $472.7 million look gets gloomier, the boss of a corpo- the worse, he expects FRP to be “very
insurer cushioned the blow that its from $267.1 million. rate restructuring specialist has warned. well placed”. The group is best known
investments suffered from recent Source: Refinitiv 450 for handling the collapse of Deben-
market turmoil. Like other insurers, Beazley is ex- Geoff Rowley, chief executive of FRP hams. Over the past year it acted as the
2021 2022 400 posed to the war in Ukraine and in May Advisory, has seen “an increase in the administrator for Corbin & King, the
First-half pre-tax profits dropped by Q2 Q3350 it estimated that it would take a hit of level of inquiries for [our] restructuring owner of London’s Wolseley restaurant,
87 per cent to $22.3 million after the Q3 Q4 Q1 $50 million, net of reinsurance, from services” in recent months. as well as Cleveland Bridge, the Darling-
group was hit by $193 million of net the Russian invasion. It has stuck with ton-based structural engineer.
investment losses in the period. The fall to the figures by sending shares in the that forecast, which includes claims in He put that down to the ending of
in earnings was less severe than City group up 36p, or 7.5 per cent, to 513p. its political violence, trade credit and government pandemic support FRP also has a corporate finance di-
analysts had feared because the losses marine books. Cox said that so far the schemes such as furlough, as well as vision which advises clients on mergers
were partially offset by Beazley’s best Beazley was founded 36 years ago insurer had received “very few actual rising interest rates, runaway inflation and acquisitions, the market for which,
underwriting result since 2015. and is a leading player in the Lloyd’s claims” from the war. “We’re unable to and falling consumer confidence. especially the mid-market in which
market. The group insures everything go and see the assets which may have FRP operates, “remains active”.
The group’s combined ratio, a key from marine cargoes and satellites to been impacted in Ukraine because we However, although FRP has had an
insurance industry measure of under- the injuries of professional sportsmen can’t send anyone there,” he added. increase in inquiries from struggling In the year to the end of April, FRP’s
writing profitability, stood at 87 per cent and women. It is led by Adrian Cox, a businesses, the number of companies revenues rose by a fifth to £95.2 million
at the end of last month, an improve- company veteran who was promoted The Ukraine estimate does not in- entering administration or undergoing from £79 million a year earlier. How-
ment from the 94 per cent that the from chief underwriting officer to the clude possible claims for aircraft that a restructuring remains “suppressed”. ever, pre-tax profits fell to £15.1 million
company reported a year earlier. top job last year. have been stranded in Russia since the from £16.6 million as costs, particularly
war began. Moscow has effectively Rowley, 51, said: “When you look at staff wages, rose sharply.
The lower the ratio, the better the He said the group’s investment hit seized hundreds of jets owned by leas- administration numbers in particular,
profits, with anything above 100 per was driven by mark-to-market losses ing companies and the insurance in- we’re still seeing a suppressed level of FRP increased its headcount by 15
cent indicating an underwriting loss. on its sovereign bond book. Fewer dustry is braced for litigation. activity, which doesn’t entirely corre- per cent over the year to 504 and ex-
claims during the period, particularly in late with the challenges that we read pects to make “greater investment” into
Beazley’s strong performance during cyber and property, bolstered its under- However, Beazley’s exposure to this about every day. its people over the coming years given
the six months prompted it to upgrade writing performance. Its cyberbusiness, area is small and it has said that any its belief that the “competition for tal-
its forecast for the year to a ratio in the which insures against online attacks, claims will not affect its forecast for its “I think that will continue until the ent will become more intense”.
high 80s, from its previous guidance of combined ratio. autumn, when we’re likely to see a post-
about 90 per cent. Investors responded summer-holiday return where people The numbers were in line with what
have to start addressing their issues.” the City had expected but the smaller
profit prompted the shares to close
As well as directors fixed on mud- down 12p, or 7.9 per cent, to 139p, valu-
dling through over summer, Rowley ing the business at £350 million.
believes that key creditors, especially

50 2GM Saturday July 23 2022 | the times

Business Markets

Investors sense a bargain at S4 Hilco ensures chase
despite downgrade by broker is on for Paperchase

Jessica Newman Market report bargain hunters, having fallen almost resolve it quickly in the aftermath of The investment group Hilco
78 per cent since the start of the year, the recent audit delay,” Omar F Capital, which owns Homebase
It hasn’t been the best week for advertising group said big hiring costs analysts at Morgan Stanley said there Sheikh, an analyst at Morgan Stanley and recently bought Cath
investors in Sir Martin Sorrell’s had forced it to slash profit targets. were plenty of reasons to be cautious. said, as he downgraded the stock to Kidston, has entered the race to
S4 Capital. “underweight”, equivalent to “sell” in buy Paperchase, the high street
The shares lost nearly half Although the stock is cheap They argue that S4’s problems old money. stationer. Permira Credit, which
their value on Thursday after the compared with September’s 870p appear to “reflect a mismatch” has controlled Paperchase since
peak, and an attractive play for between its strong client offering and Despite the bearishness, investors 2021, has held talks with other
its corporate infrastructure. swooped on the shares which closed undisclosed buyers. Paperchase
up 2¾p, or 2.2 per cent, at 123½p. was among many retailers hit
“The profit warning reveals another hard by Covid-19 restrictions and
control issue at the company and we With few corporate updates, the underwent a pre-pack
have lost confidence in S4’s ability to FTSE 100 edged up 5.86 points, or administration. Sky News, which
0.1 per cent, to 7,276.37, which added first reported Hilco’s interest,
up to an increase of 117.36 points, or said that talks with Permira were
1.6 per cent, over the week. at an early stage. The sale
process is being led by
Among the risers was Antofagasta, PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
the Chilean copper miner, up 29p, or Although Permira Credit, part of
2.8 per cent, at £10.76 on the back of the private equity firm Permira,
stronger metal prices. has invested in new Paperchase
shops, the possible sale comes at
Bargain hunters pushed Ocado to a time of falling consumer
the top of the index. Shares in the confidence. Permira Credit
online grocer and technology declined to comment and Hilco
company gained 38½p, or 5.1 per cent, did not immediately respond to a
to 791½p after it fell on Thursday request for comment.
when it reported a widening of half-
year losses. Investors were also Drilling contractors’
reassured by what they read into the merger gets all-clear
results of Delivery Hero, the German
food delivery company, which said it The competition watchdog has
forecast a smaller loss for the year. said a £2.6 billion merger of two
oil and gas drilling contractors
In the mid-caps, Beazley’s shares should be able to proceed after
jumped 45p, or 9.4 per cent, to 522p they addressed its concerns about
after it raised its annual profit the impact on UK North Sea
guidance, which helped propel the producers. Maersk Drilling and
FTSE 250 115.53 points, or 0.6 per Noble Corporation agreed last
cent, higher to 19,824.77, for a weekly November to merge, but in April
gain of 990.97 points, or 5.3 per cent. the Competition and Markets
Authority stepped in. They are
Lancashire Holdings, Beazley’s two of the four main suppliers of
jack-up rigs used for offshore
Wall Street report drilling in the North Sea and the
watchdog found that the deal
New York closed the week higher could cut competition and so
despite losses yesterday, when the increase costs for producers in
S&P 500 fell 0.9 per cent to 3,961.63 the North Sea, as well as
points and the Nasdaq fell 1.9 per Denmark and the Netherlands.
cent to 11,834.11 as investors digested Noble agreed to sell its fleet of
Snap’s poor results. The Dow Jones five jack-up rigs in northwest
lost 0.9 per cent to 31,899.29. Europe and in June struck a deal
to sell them to Shelf Drilling for
fellow Lloyd’s of London insurer, $375 million. The watchdog said
improved 19¼p, or 4.8 per cent, to the sale would address its
420¾p. concerns “in a clear-cut manner”.

Fears about consumers cutting back Coinbase hits back at
on online shopping, which Royal Mail watchdog’s claims
flagged as a reason for a drop in
quarterly revenue, led investors to Coinbase, the cryptocurrency
dump their shares in London’s biggest exchange, has hit back at claims
paper and packaging companies. by the US Securities and
Shares in Mondi, down at the bottom Exchange Commission that it
of the City leaderboard, slipped 81p, trades in unregistered securities,
or 5.4 per cent, to £14.16½; DS Smith following fraud charges brought
retreated 14¾p, or 5.2 per cent, to on Wednesday against a former
270p; and Smurfit Kappa gave up employer who allegedly sold
117p, or 4.1 per cent, to £27.39. inside information about which
digital tokens it was planning to
Aston Martin dropped 46p, or list. In a separate complaint filed
8.7 per cent, to 483½p as Jefferies by the SEC, the financial
shaved its target price on the shares regulator said several of the
by 30 per cent to 530p after its newly listed tokens that Coinbase
recently announced £653 million listed were securities, which
“untenable” capital raise. would face tougher regulation. In
a blogpost titled “Coinbase does
Down on Aim, Mirriad not list Securities. End of Story”,
Advertising, the tech company that the exchange’s chief legal officer,
uses AI to insert billboards, posters Paul Grewal, wrote: “We have
and objects into content, fell to its said it before . . . Coinbase has a
lowest level in more than two years, rigorous process to analyse and
closing down 6¼p, or 42.4 per cent, at review each digital asset before
8½p after it reported that revenues making it available on our
had halved in the first half of the year. exchange — a process that the
SEC itself has reviewed.”

The day’s biggest movers Change

Company 9.4%
6.2%
Beazley Raises full-year profit outlook 5.2%
JTC Positive trading update 5.1%
4imprint Group Shares rally after positive trading update 4.8%
Ocado Recovers some losses -3.2%
Lancashire Holdings Positive read across from sector peer -4.1%
Currys Positive sentiment evaporates -5.2%
Smurfit Kappa Investors take profits ahead of next week’s interim results -5.4%
DS Smith Soured sentiment towards box companies -8.7%
Mondi Fears of a slowdown in online shopping
Aston Martin Lagonda Jefferies reiterates “hold” rating