PR? That stands for Peston relations
? As boss of one of the world's largest PR firms it was hardly surprising that pugnacious Martin Sorrell got some good PR for his well-trailed decision to relocate in London again after flouncing off to Dublin (via Jersey) over Labour's business taxes. The news was Radio 4's top item at breakfast time, complete with Sorrell interviewed on Today, later praised on air by chancellor George Osborne, and the significance of the location shift blessed on air and online by BBC business editor Robert Peston. A textbook PR job for Sorrell, whose WPP subsidiaries include City PR firm Finsbury. That, of course, is run by Pesto's old mate, Roland "Rat" Rudd. Good to have friends.
? Yet more hostilities among the feisty band of theatre critics. Squaring up yet again, Ian Shuttleworth of the Financial Times and his bete noir, Tim Walker of the Sunday Telegraph. And Shuttleworth, who twice unsuccessfully referred Walker to the Press Complaints Commission alleging "fattism", has a new charge: snobbery. In the latest issue of The Theatre Record, which Shuttleworth edits, he takes issue with Walker's review of Frankenstein at the National Theatre. Benedict Cumberbatch, wrote Walker, is "too rustic an actor to be taken seriously as the silkily intelligent scientist Victor Frankenstein. He is no Colin Clive or Peter Cushing". And Shuttleworth's translation: "Benedict Cumberbatch has a massive reputation as an intelligent, cerebral actor, but he has ginger hair so I can't help but think of him as a peasant." The feud rumbles on. Can Shuttleworth think about anything else?
? Meanwhile it was such a riveting budget that the justice secretary, Kenneth Clarke, apprised of all the details, felt able to tune out and grab 40 winks. Too bad ? he was spotted by Ed Miliband, who made fun of him. Will Ken do it again? Smart money says he will. "Bookies double-kip fears for Clarke," says a press release. "Ken Clarke is now even money with Ladbrokes to fall asleep at a major political conference or speech in the next year." What's the betting they sack him first?
? On the other end of the spectrum, word finally reaches us from former spinner supreme Charlie Whelan ? the Greta Garbo of the Labour movement who sought election to the board of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, only to be comprehensively rejected. We thought the experience might have soured his new life a-fishin' and a-golfin' away from the brutish power centres. Not a bit of it. He is chopping wood when we catch up with him, and characteristically pithy. "It wasn't supposed to be a political election," says the Labour man, who came fifth out of five. "But those who beat me were SNP." So does he now hanker for the life he left behind? No chance, insists Charlie, brusque as always. "The budget: didn't watch a fucking minute of it," he says, axe in hand.
? What to make of the Mail? Why do women hate their bodies, it asked recently; and each day since it has tried to supply an answer. Last Wednesday's was a photo of the actor Kate Winslet, with makeup obscuring "wrinkles, shadows and, heaven forbid, even the finest of hairs". "Face it, Kate," said the headline. "That's laying it on a bit thick."
? And what to make of news that the BBC has met with the vehement anti-royalists from the group Republic, who are demanding less fawning coverage of Brenda and the firm? Republic demands that the royals become a "controversial subject" within the BBC's editorial guidelines, which would "guarantee strict standards of impartiality". Prince Andrew versus Paxman. Charlie rubbished on Watchdog for selling his pricey biscuits. Fergie kebabbed by Panorama just for being Fergie. Can't wait.
? Finally, to help ministers and civil servants keep abreast of events, there is the government media monitoring unit. They run a tight ship. "Elizabeth Taylor resigns", said the newsflash across Whitehall on Wednesday. And it was right. She has resigned from life, so to speak.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/mar/25/hugh-muir-diary-martin-sorrell
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