Marching for missing people

Posted by on Mar 7, 2008 in updates | 7 comments Most of us will spend the weekend with our families and loved ones. For some, that’s impossible because someone is missing, they have vanished into thin air, leaving behind loved ones feeling the most indescribable pain and anguish. I described in this post how Nicki Durbin, mother of Luke who vanished in May 2006 aged 19, and Valerie Nettles, whose son Damien disappeared mysteriously in...
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How long will it take Ken to clear his desk?

Posted by on Mar 6, 2008 in updates | 14 comments Today was one of those days that just got better and better. I was told at an early morning meeting that my PR work with NIAB was to be put on a permanent basis, something I am thrilled about. This meeting was brought forward so I could meet up with Boris Johnson and a group of political bloggers for lunch in a London restaurant.  I felt extremely privileged to be asked. On the train from...
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Clinton v Obama and dirty tricks

Posted by on Mar 6, 2008 in Uncategorized | 15 comments I wonder, do you think that the recent publication of this pic of Barack Obama had anything to do with Hillary Clinton’s recent victories in Ohio and Texas? Her campaign team is said to have distributed this photograph of Obama in Somali tribal gear, playing on fears that he is some kind of “Muslim fifth columnist”. Does playing dirty work? Could you respect a leader who...
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Meeting Boris tomorrow

Posted by on Mar 5, 2008 in updates | 18 comments I’ve been invited to join Boris for lunch tomorrow in a London restaurant, myself and a few other bloggers. I couldn’t refuse that now, could I! You only have to say the name Boris and everyone knows it means Boris Johnson, regarded as eccentric by some, but as a formidable foe by Ken Livingstone – especially as recent polls have put Boris in the lead for London Mayor.....
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A date with Darwin

Posted by on Mar 5, 2008 in updates | 8 comments I consider myself so lucky to be surrounded by some of the best brains in the world living close to Cambridge. As well as those from the past, who left an outstanding legacy, like former Cambridge scholar Charles Darwin. I wonder if he realised as a student enjoying Cambridge life to the full, hunting, collecting natural history specimens – especially beetles – and, with a group of...
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10-year-olds allowed shotguns

Posted by on Mar 4, 2008 in updates | 16 comments Did you realise there is no minimum age requirement for a shotgun licence, and that children as young as 10 are being issued with them? It was news to me too, and I find it amazing that such a legal loophole exists, which has been highlighted in this report by the East Anglian Daily Times. A Freedom of Information request found that an 11-year-old has been given a shotgun licence by police...
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What makes parents lie?

Posted by on Mar 3, 2008 in updates | 25 comments Q: What makes normally truthful parents start lying through their teeth? A: Meeting secondary schools’ admissions criteria. Schools in Brighton and Hove are the first in the country to this year use a lottery system to allocate places for over subscribed schools. Letters informing parents of the decision will fall on their doormats tomorrow. It is intended to be fairer to poorer families...
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Let’s not forget our hostages in Iraq

Posted by on Mar 1, 2008 in updates | 10 comments I’m naturally delighted to know that Prince Harry is home safely after fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan. But my thoughts are with the five innocent British men who have been held captive in Iraq for nine months in the most terrifying circumstances. While Prince Harry’s homecoming will continue to dominate tomorrow’s papers, and he will enjoy his newfound hero status and...
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