Pandora
Sting in the tale of new Blair 'war crimes' drama
Published: 10 January 2007
* It appears that the eco-friendly rock star Sting and his wife Trudie Styler are the latest slebs to pull the plug on their support for Tony Blair.
Radical Ridley gives a Saudi prince the shakes
Published: 09 January 2007
Since she fell off an Afghan donkey in 2001, was kidnapped by Taliban fighters and subsequently converted to Islam, Yvonne Ridley has rubbed a few brothers and sisters of the faith up the wrong way.
Gorgeous George could climb celebrity alphabet
Published: 08 January 2007
It seems that the previously indefatigable George Galloway may be tiring of his parliamentary concerns.
By George, we salute you for your indefatigability
Published: 05 January 2007
* It's the mother of all chart bashings! Celebrity Big Brother viewers might currently be missing George Galloway and his feline escapades, but they can console themselves that another fresh dollop of humiliation is about to be tipped on the Respect MP's head.
Archbishop in the line of fire over Iraq comments
Published: 04 January 2007
* There has been no more forceful critic of the Government's involvement in Iraq than the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams.
Is Ruth preparing move to a better part of Bolton?
Published: 03 January 2007
* Another year kicks off and yet another public relations battle looms on the horizon for Ruth Kelly. Kelly is facing a catty backlash from Labour members in her Bolton West constituency over recent rumours she was plotting a "chicken run" to fight the next election for nearby Bolton South East.
BBC all at sea as Cherie denies Desert Island slot
Published: 01 January 2007
There is an intriguing footnote to rumours of an impending appearance by Cherie Blair on Desert Island Discs.
Landlady to the stars pillories dodgy pub review
Published: 29 December 2006
* Disquiet in the East End after a write-up of Shoreditch's Golden Heart - the BritArt-favoured saloon frequented by Kate Moss and Pete Doherty, Tracey Emin, Gilbert and George, Sarah Lucas, Sam Taylor-Wood, Rebecca Warren, and Jake and Dinos Chapman. (Oh, and the benevolent ghost of the Quaker prison reformer Elizabeth Fry, who turns off beer taps in the cellar.)
Vultures circle round Haddock's Grimsby seat
Published: 28 December 2006
* I hear of a wonderful Angry Spouse incident in Grimsby, involving the Labour MP for Selby, John Grogan.
Tales from a riverbank - somewhere east of Vienna
Published: 27 December 2006
* The temperature on the river bank is rising. Back at the beginning of November, Pandora spoke to Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake) about the BBC's new production of The Wind in the Willows, which airs on New Year's Day. It stars Matt Lucas as Toad, Bob Hoskins as Badger and Staunton as the barge lady.
Get the message: snubbed diplomats head for the door
Published: 22 December 2006
* Last week, Tony Blair shuffled his cards at the Foreign Office, rewarding three of his most loyal aides with the ambassador jobs in Washington, Brussels and the United Nations.
Shotguns are a girl's best friend
Published: 21 December 2006
As a star of the red carpet of some 10 years standing, Liz Hurley has made a tidy living out of donning dazzling ball gowns and sparkling diamonds.
Squaddies: Blair's a cooler shaker than spin doctors say
Published: 20 December 2006
* For all his squiggling of good luck messages on the side of tanks, and offerings of thanks "from the bottom of my heart", Tony Blair's recent charm offensive on Our Boys in Iraq appears to have missed one crucial target.
Hollywood awaits a remake of 'The Quiet Man'
Published: 19 December 2006
Thus far, glamour, celebrity and swanning around Los Angeles swimming pool parties in skimpy speedos have eluded the professional career of the former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith.
Publisher starts bad taste 'Hamster' memoirs row
Published: 18 December 2006
The gaping chasm in the national consciousness created by the death of the Queen Mother was briefly forgotten in September, when Britain's red-top editors awarded "national treasure" status to Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond, after his near-fatal 288mph crash.
She's behind you! Thandie and Dr Who in radio panto
Published: 15 December 2006
* News of a seasonal treat from Virgin Radio. The station's breakfast DJ, Christian O'Connell, has procured the services of Hollywood lady Thandie Newton (co-star of 2005's Oscar-winning Crash) and Dr Who actor David Tennant to perform in a radio pantomime next Thursday. Set the alarm clock for 7.30am.
Festival moves to save Amis and Greer from al-Qa'ida
Published: 14 December 2006
* Next year's most keenly anticipated cultural beanfest has been moved from the wilds of Jordan, for fear that Germaine Greer and Martin Amis would be kidnapped or shot.
Butterfly 'burglary' slur gets our man in Bogota in a flap
Published: 13 December 2006
* News of a fizzing spat from Pandora's correspondent bedded down in the Colombian jungle.
Anti-war protester to be war museum pin-up
Published: 12 December 2006
For the past five years, Brian Haw has been jeered at, kicked, spat on and arrested while conducting his own one-man anti-war campaign in Parliament Square.
So who had the last word after the show finished?
Published: 11 December 2006
There appears to have been a mysterious case of "afters" between Cameroonian loyalist Ed Vaizey and the anarchic author Ian Bone.
Ramsay proves a kitchen nightmare for New Yorkers
Published: 08 December 2006
* Three weeks ago, Gordon Ramsay finally brought his brand of Michelin-starred, potty-mouthed cookery to New York. And his new £3.8m restaurant - cunningly titled Gordon Ramsay at The London - has teething problems.
Blair's right to remain silent on Galloway's dodgy acting
Published: 07 December 2006
* George Galloway is rarely seen in the House of Commons - he says he prefers to give speeches and interact with the public.
Tories' makeover man takes pay cut - to £180,000
Published: 06 December 2006
* As the man behind the Conservative Party's facelift, David Cameron's close-cropped image guru, Steve Hilton, has long drawn the ire of Tories in the shires.
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