Londoner’s Diary: Clive Myrie hits back at BBC critics

In today’s Diary: Myrie defends Auntie / Boris bonds with Ukraine / We meet man tipped for cabinet in Tesco / Fiennes hints at rebellion against Putin’s war / Bold looks at Bowie premiere
Clive Myrie
Clive Myrie
AFP via Getty Images
Robbie Griffiths6 September 2022

Clive Myrie hit back at critics of the BBC in a media speech last night. Myrie defended impartiality and said the Beeb “doesn’t belong to the Government or a board of managers” in a RTS/Media Society talk at the University of Westminster.

In her MacTaggart lecture, ex-BBC star Emily Maitlis said “both sides-ism” meant bad reporting, and called BBC board member Robbie Gibb a Government “agent”. Speaking to us after, Myrie said he wasn’t attacking Maitlis directly and hopes the BBC will be properly funded by the new PM. He also praised Channel 4, which was threatened with privatisation by ex-Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries.

We asked if Myrie might replace main BBC newsreader Huw Edwards, who was spotted going into the Global Radio offices last week. He demured: “He’s still there, isn’t he?”

Boris ‘the rocket’ bonds with Ukraine

Liz Truss becomes PM
PA

BORIS JOHNSON called himself a “booster rocket that has fulfilled its function” which will now be “splashing down invisibly” in the Pacific in his No 10 farewell speech this morning. But is this the end? President Zelensky wrote online that the pair last night discussed how Boris could now work with Ukraine in a “new status”. It’s rumoured Liz Truss could make the outgoing PM Ukraine envoy.

Water not fizz for man tipped to be Environment Secretary

Conservative MP Ranil Jayawardena who has quit his post as a parliamentary private secretary in the Ministry of Justice
PA

LIZ TRUSS had a bash with allies in the Square Mile last night but it was a rather more sober evening for Ranil Jayawardena, tipped to be environment secretary. We met him in a Westminster branch of Tesco, buying a large bottle of mineral water. When we asked if he’d got the job, Jayawardena said: “She’s not called me yet! I’ll find out tomorrow.” Perhaps he didn’t get the party invite.

Fiennes says rebels are inevitable

"Nureyev Legend And Legacy" - Opening Night - VIP Arrivals
Ralph Fiennes attends the Opening Night performance of “Nureyev Legend and Legacy” at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Dave Benett

RALPH Fiennes loves Russian culture but not its current politics. The actor made a veiled attack on Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine at a tribute to ballet star Rudolf Nureyev at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, last night. Fiennes, who has made a film about Nureyev, said it is a “principle of physics” that a repressive regime will “create its own rebels”, and condemned “blatant humanitarian transgression.”

Spirit of Ziggy lives on at BFI

Londoner’s Diary 06 09 2022

"Moonage Daydream" - London Premiere - VIP Arrivals
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WOULD-BE MP Eddie Izzard, who last week announced she was running for Parliament, wore a jazzy dress for the premiere of new David Bowie doc Moonage Daydream at the BFI last night. The film drew daringly dressed celebs including Courtney Love, designer Daphne Guinness and drag race stars Bimini Bon Boulash and A’Whora. Primal Scream singer Bobby Gillespie, who performed with Bowie, paid a less dressy homage. In Soho, actor Keeley Hawes attended the launch of her new drama Crossfire.

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