
TALK OF THE TOWN: Collapse of Kate Moss's scents brand really stinks, say workers
With her beauty brand Cosmoss teetering on the brink of collapse, Kate Moss has been accused of leaving her staff in the lurch – and failing to pay them for months.
After the depth of the company's woes was revealed by The Mail on Sunday last week, employees came forward with first-hand accounts from the ailing outfit.
They say the model stopped paying them in January, having quietly decided to stop financing the venture, then fired them two months ago with no explanation.
One manager told me last night: 'We've not been paid all year. At the start of 2025, Kate decided to shut down the project and we were given zero guidance on what to do with customers, how to communicate or what to say to creditors. A lot of people have started asking if they are going to get paid.'
Cosmoss, which sells perfumes and creams, was launched with much fanfare in 2022. But Moss, 51, decided to stop financing the brand in early 2024 and it limped until last month when employees took matters into their own hands.
'We had to shut down the website because there was absolutely no guidance,' the source added. 'There were no people to run the store, yet people were ordering. What were we to do? The products were not able to be shipped.'
The remaining team of just four have continued to manage day-to-day operations in the hope that they will eventually be paid.
'Initially we were told she wanted to pay off everyone and shut down the operation in the proper way but in January this year the situation changed. We realised that there was no intention of paying anyone, so we had to dismiss everyone.'
Last week, we revealed products from Cosmoss, which has overdue accounts at Companies House, had appeared on a fire-sale website at up to 75 per cent off.
The source said: 'I assume a liquidation firm was brought in. The money [for our salaries] is not going to come from anywhere other than her pocket. If you commit to something and pull the plug, it's your responsibility to finish it in a good way.'
Ms Moss's representatives did not respond to a request for comment.
Now Holly's making waves on the beach
She's engaged to Olympic swimming champion Adam Peaty – but now it 's Holly Ramsay's turn to make a splash.
The eldest daughter of celebrity chef Gordon is the latest ambassador for Victoria's Secret, a brand famous for racy lingerie, but also associated with swimwear.
The 25-year-old influencer posted a video of herself posing on the beach in a bright red bikini, prompting her dutiful fiance, 29, to respond with an emoji with love-heart eyes.
The day after the post, Holly had to miss the Miami Grand Prix because of food poisoning.
Should have stuck with dad's grub!
The 'new Firehouse' has neighbours fuming
With A-list haunt Chiltern Firehouse facing an expensive rebuild after February's fire, a rival has swooped in to fill the void.
The owners of trendy Notting Hill pub The Pelican are aiming to open 'the new Chiltern' in September, just a couple of doors away.
But locals are not happy about the venture, called The Hart.
'People were severely affected by noise from the Firehouse, and are scared it's going to be a repeat performance,' one tells me.
So has Dolly lost the plot?
As the author of two novels, you might expect Dolly Alderton to know how to weave a plot.
Not so, she says.
'I went to a bookstore in Canada and all my books were in a section called Plotless Fiction,' she told an event at networking society The Trouble Club.
Her response? 'I'm not that bothered about plot personally.'
How convenient!
Trouble in paradise
The latest season of The White Lotus had as much drama off-screen as on it, I hear.
Jason Isaacs and co-star Parker Posey were reportedly at each other's throats while fliming in Thailand.
'There was little love lost,' said a source.
'A deathly silence fell between them as soon as the cameras stopped rolling.'
All involved are keeping shtum.
POOR David Gilmour. The Pink Floyd star has been trying to sell his Brighton seafront mansion for three years, to no avail. He listed it on the market at £15million in 2022 and now, I can reveal, he's slashed the price to £8.95million. This is the second time he's lowered it, having knocked it back to £10million in 2023 – yet still no takers. Sometimes even a guitar hero can't strike the right chord.
Spotted
Channing Tatum living up to his Magic Mike character and 'slut-dropping' in the green room at Soho celeb hangout The Devonshire.
Lady Amelia Windsor, left, day-raving at Queen's Yard summer party in Hackney – not to be confused with the Buckingham Palace garden party...
Nicola Roberts of Girls Aloud fame dining at the next table to Robbie Williams' wife Ayda at Kensington Roof Gardens.

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The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
Nigel Farage calls for ‘re-industrialisation' of Wales
Nigel Farage has said his party wants to restart Port Talbot's blast furnaces and 're-industrialise Wales'. On a visit to South Wales, the leader of Reform UK said the resumption of traditional steelmaking and coal production is the party's long-term ambition if it comes to power. The speech came one year ahead of the Senedd elections in May next year, where the party is looking to end Labour's 26 years of domination. Addressing reporters, Mr Farage acknowledged that plans to open a traditional furnace could take years and cost 'in the low billions'. The GMB Union has branded the plans 'more lies from an opportunistic chancer'. Port Talbot's remaining blast furnaces were shut down in September last year, with a new electric arc furnace being built in their place. 'Our ambition is to re-industrialise Wales,' Mr Farage said. 'We are going to be using more steel over the next few years than we have probably ever used. 'As we increase military spending and as we attempt a house building programme in Wales, and even more so in England, of massive proportions, just to catch up with the population explosion over the last 20 years, we are going to need a lot of steel.' The Reform leader said 'specific types of coal' are needed in the UK, particularly for a new blast furnace. 'We should be producing ourselves, rather than importing,' he said. While he acknowledged 'mining is dangerous', he said the industry could provide well-paying jobs. Mr Farage acknowledged the plan to open a new furnace would cost 'in the low billions' and would be 'no easy thing'. 'It's a massive, expensive job to re-open blast furnaces, we're going to need cheaper energy, we're going to need much cheaper coal, we are going to need private business partners prepared to come into a joint venture,' he said. Responding to the GMB Union allegations that his party's plans were 'lies', Mr Farage said the union was tied to the Labour Party as one of its biggest funders. He said: 'They see us as a challenge, and therefore, they'll be rude about us. 'What you will find is that increasingly, GMB members are going to vote for us, and the more GMB members vote for us, the more upsetGMB officials and leaders will become. 'Frankly, the trade unions have done nothing to protect British workers through open borders over the last 20-25 years.' During his speech, Mr Farage said he doubted that the electric arc furnace, which is due to come online in 2028, 'will ever, ever be switched on'. Challenged on what evidence he had, he argued that with British energy prices being so high, it would be producing 'very, very expensive secondary steel'. He added: 'I hope I'm wrong, an electric arc furnace is not the real deal, but it's better than nothing.' Mr Farage said the party's campaign for the Senedd election next May 'starts today', but would not say when Reform would announce aleader in Wales. Regional officer Ruth Brady, speaking at the GMB's annual conference in Brighton, said: 'The people of Port Talbot will see this for what it is – more lies from this opportunistic chancer. 'Nigel Farage was happy to let British Steel go to the wall. He'll trot out any line when the cameras are rolling. He doesn't care about steel communities or steel workers.' Ms Brady said the plans to shut the blast furnaces were made by the last Tory government and the union wanted Labour to 'make good on their promises to our members in Port Talbot'.


Telegraph
27 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Church sacked accountant for being non-Catholic
A church sacked an accountant after she was discriminated against for not being Catholic, a tribunal has found. University of Cambridge-educated Janet Parker argued with her female boss after she asked for leave to care for her newly adopted daughter. When the 55-year-old's request for flexible working was refused, she complained, observing that 'the Catholic Church does not have a blemish-free history when it comes to adopted children or children in care'. Ms Parker was then subjected to a 'witch hunt' investigation for alleged professional negligence, which led to her dismissal from her £60,000-a-year role. She has now won claims against Clifton Diocese after a tribunal ruled it discriminated against her, harassed her and then unfairly sacked her because she was not religious. Ms Parker, who later told a reporter that she was an atheist, claimed the diocese's approach to her flexible working request was 'tainted by negative views of adoption, emanating from the religious beliefs of its staff'. Disapproval of adoption leave Details of her tribunal claim emerged at a disciplinary hearing, conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAEW), into abusive messages she sent to Lyn Murray, the diocese chief operating officer, after her dismissal. According to the full judgment – which has not been made public – the hearing in Bristol was told that she had worked at the diocese, which covers the west of England, from February 2015 until her dismissal in October 2021. Ms Parker, described by the tribunal as a 'very intelligent, articulate, and able woman', had been a chartered accountant since 1998 and worked in London at Deloittes and Credit Suisse before moving to the charity sector in 2009. In 2019, her application to adopt a baby girl was approved and in January 2020 she informed Mrs Murray, who she said had previously been supportive, of her intention to take 52 weeks of adoption leave. The tribunal was told: 'Mrs Murray did not react well, arguing that she did not believe that [Ms Parker] could 'go on leave with no notice,' as she described it, and expressed dissatisfaction that [she] would 'do that to her'.' Ms Parker began her leave in September 2020 but the tribunal heard that during her absence, her replacement flagged potential financial irregularities in the accounts for which she had been responsible. Church launched disciplinary investigation In July 2021, Ms Parker had a conversation with Mrs Murray about reducing hours and working from home because she was struggling to find childcare for her daughter. However, her request was refused, and the following month the diocese launched disciplinary proceedings against her before putting her on suspension. Ms Parker responded by issuing a grievance against Mrs Murray, she said: 'This behaviour is not in accordance with the professed beliefs of the Catholic Church. 'I know that the Catholic Church does not have a blemish-free history when it comes to adopted children or children in care, but I hoped that this kind of prejudice had been eradicated long ago. Maybe I am wrong.' The hearing was told that the ICAEW was asked to investigate the allegations against her and eventually found there was insufficient evidence to support the complaints. However, at the conclusion of its investigation, the diocese decided to dismiss her for gross misconduct. The tribunal heard this led to Ms Parker sending an email to Mrs Murray saying: 'There is one thing I always wanted to say to you. Now I can. F--- OFF YOU B---H.' and 'Your god might forgive you but I never will. B---h.' She then put out Facebook posts saying: 'You asked for it and I'm coming for you,' and 'Nolite te bastardes carborundorum, b----es,' – meaning 'don't let the bastards grind you down, b----es' in Latin. 'Witch hunt' Employment Judge Adam Midgley said Ms Parker, as a non Catholic, had been religiously discriminated against. He said: '[She] has argued that from the moment she challenged the [diocese], particularly from the point at which she referenced the Catholic Church's treatment of vulnerable children, her card was marked, and [it] closed ranks to protect itself and dismiss her.' 'Those are very serious allegations. The claimant is required to produce some evidence from which we could, properly directing ourselves, conclude that the reason for the matters she complains of was her religion or belief – ie that she was a non-Catholic.' He described the investigation that led to her dismissal as appearing like 'witch hunt' and said it was 'derisory in its depth, unbalanced and focused on establishing fault'. Ms Parker has yet to receive compensation following the judgment as the diocese is understood to have launched an appeal. Speaking after the ICAEW issued her a caution over the abusive messages, Ms Parker said: 'I wasn't happy with the ICAEW outcome but I suppose it was the best outcome given the situation. I don't think what I did was wrong and I think I just did what probably millions of people around the country want to do when they leave their jobs.'


Telegraph
28 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Britain's biggest solar farm threatens Domesday villages
The developer of Britain's largest solar farm has told residents of three Norfolk villages that appear in the Domesday Book that their land may be 'required'. Dozens of villagers in Hempnall, Saxlingham and Tasburgh were sent letters warning them that their homes may be needed to create space for the East Pye Solar project. The development will cover 2,500 acres, an area the size of Chichester, in West Sussex, and it is 10 times bigger than the UK's current largest solar farm in Flintshire, Wales. Letters sent in the last two months asked villagers detailed questions about their mortgages. In total, residents in 23 villages between Long Stratton and Diss are believed to have been sent the letters, which state their land may be 'required'. If the East Pye Solar proposal goes ahead, it would deliver up to 500 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 115,000 homes annually. As the plans are deemed a nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP), the developer, Island Green Power, could have the power to compulsorily purchase land. Farmers around the UK have been threatened with the possibility of compulsory purchase orders for solar farm development, but this is believed to be the first time homeowners have been approached. Residents of Hempnall, which has a population of 1,238, criticised the letter's 'impertinent' and 'unreasonable' line of questioning. Yvonne Davy, 89, is among dozens of residents who received letters from the developer's lawyers, Dalcour Maclaren. Ms Davy, who has lived in Hempnall since 1973, said she received three letters, dated April 9, May 2 and May 29, and an unwanted phone call. The great-grandmother, who has an electric car and solar panels on her roof, said: 'I thought that can't be right. They were asking about my finances and my mortgage. It is quite impertinent. I wasn't very pleased when they rang me at the seaside, and I told them what they're planning to do isn't very nice at all. I don't know how they got my number.' Developers would get her land 'over her dead body', she added, saying: 'They're putting these vast numbers of panels, and it's going to blight the countryside. Where I walk and where I live is going to be surrounded by solar panels the height of a house. It would be dreadful. 'I'm going to be 90 this year, and I'm happily settled. I don't want to lose my property.' Robert Eagle, 77, has also received multiple letters, with the first in early April, followed by three reminders to fill out the questionnaire. Mr Eagle, who has lived in Hempnall for 27 years, said he felt 'unreasonably' chased by the company for his financial information. He said: 'At first I was surprised to receive the letter because I didn't realise such detailed information would be needed at this stage. If I had to give up my home, I would certainly not be pleased. We've been here a long time and we'd like to remain here. 'The thing that really hits us is how unreasonable the project is in terms of scale.' David Hook, the chairman of Hempnall Parish Council, said it was 'extremely concerned' about the solar farm proposals. He said: 'The East Pye scheme, if permitted, would surround our village and cover in total 2,718 acres of South Norfolk countryside with solar panels. 'Our objection to these schemes is due primarily to the fact that their construction would result in the industrialisation of large areas of attractive, tranquil countryside with solar panels and security fences. 'The NSIP regime also provides developers with compulsory purchase powers and this is causing great concern to many local residents, in Hempnall and many other villages included in the scheme, who have received letters saying their home 'may be required'. Island Green Power said: 'As part the development consent order process, East Pye Solar will be undertaking land interest questionnaires to identify people and organisations that have a legal interest in land or property that may potentially be impacted by the scheme. 'This is a statutory obligation under the 2008 Planning Act, and is routine for helping to identify those with legal interest in land. 'Completing land referencing questionnaires allows these stakeholders to be consulted on the development consent order application and ensures they receive formal notification such as when the scheme is accepted for examination.' The Telegraph has contacted the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero