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Is King Charles right to hold 'peace talks' with Harry and Meghan? Have your say in the Palace poll
Is King Charles right to hold 'peace talks' with Harry and Meghan? Have your say in the Palace poll

Daily Mail​

time2 hours ago

  • Entertainment
  • Daily Mail​

Is King Charles right to hold 'peace talks' with Harry and Meghan? Have your say in the Palace poll

You've read the headlines and heard our experts' opinions - but what do YOU think? Have your say on the biggest royal story of the week by answering our poll below. You'll find the final results in our brilliant newsletter, Palace Confidential. Want more of the Mail's unrivalled royals journalism, straight from some of the world's leading experts on the monarchy? Now, you can make sure you're always in the know, by signing up to our brand new weekly newsletter: Palace Confidential. Sign up here. We'll bring together the most knowledgeable voices, gorgeous photography and exclusive insider commentary to expose the truth behind polished public appearances, and reveal the very human drama at the heart of this extraordinary institution. You'll have the chance to ask our Royal Editor, Rebecca English, and other top journalists anything you've always wanted to know about the monarchy. Sign up to Palace Confidential now, and never miss a Royals story.

In defence of Lord Hermer
In defence of Lord Hermer

New Statesman​

time3 hours ago

  • Politics
  • New Statesman​

In defence of Lord Hermer

Photo byIn a competitive field the Attorney General, Lord Hermer, is the biggest ministerial villain for the right-wing newspapers. Rarely a day passes without the Telegraph, Mail and others screaming about what they see as Hermer's hyper-active interventions within government. Hermer dares to warn ministers that they must act within domestic and international law and his critics fume. 'The least patriotic man EVER to hold high office?' asked former professor turned Reform mouthpiece Matt Goodwin in the Mail over the weekend. None of the media noise would matter that much but for two additional factors. Some anonymous government insiders are quoted regularly echoing the views of the newspapers in their political pages. How can we be insurgent incumbents, they ask with apparently defiant machismo, when Hermer is forever warning us that we cannot do what we need to do to beat Nigel Farage? Inevitably the rise of Reform is the other factor triggering insider briefings. Farage has never been a great upholder of international law if it gets in the way of 'Britain's interests'. A big part of his pitch is his conviction that Britain must leave the ECHR. Like Keir Starmer, Hermer is a world expert on international law, including the ECHR. Apparently No 10's self-described 'insurgent incumbents' are deeply frustrated. Whenever there is speculation about a cabinet reshuffle Hermer's name is cited as one who could or should be sacked. Such an outcome would be calamitous for Starmer and his government, not least because Hermer is an 'insurgent incumbent' as far as that latest, fashionably imprecise term has any meaning at all. He has the confidence and authority to challenge current orthodoxies that have dominated the British media and political culture since Brexit, including an assumption that breaking international law is to be celebrated because it is in Britain's self interest to do so. This is now a mainstream view in parts of the Conservative Party, Reform, as well as the newspapers. The new orthodoxies shaped Boris Johnson's Rwanda policy, a scheme that the courts found violated both international and domestic law. A recent message from Hermer to the government's law officers triggered another outrage in some newspapers partly because he declared: 'You have a key role in helping ministers meet their overarching [legal] obligation while delivering their policy objectives.' What did they expect the Attorney General to state, that they should urge ministers to ignore the legal obligations? It remains staggering that to assert the centrality of the law stirs raging controversy: 'An Attorney General warns ministers of legal obligations… He should be sacked!' Revealingly, those forces touched in some form or other by Hermer's interventions do not share the angry disdain. Senior Tory and Reform figures predicted that all hell would break loose in the Trump administration over the Chagos Islands deal that partly arose from Hermer's reading of Britain's legal obligations. The opposite happened. Trump praised the arrangements. Back in the UK, the Home Office has nothing but praise for Hermer. The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, actively seeks his advice and willingly involves him in sensitive decisions. They do not complain that he is actively or naively obstructing policies they wish to pursue. On some highly charged issues, he shows flexibility. He supports the Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, in her current efforts to reform the ECHR. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Some Labour MPs complain that Hermer is hopeless at politics – a failing that becomes more apparent when the Prime Minister struggles with the political demands of high office and the Chancellor realises she is not as skilled as she believed at the near-impossible art of blending politics and economics. But even that common observation doesn't tell the whole story. I am told that Hermer spends more time in the Westminster tea rooms engaging with backbenchers than most Cabinet ministers. Although he is rarely allowed out to do broadcast interviews he did give one recently to the BBC's Henry Zeffman in which he navigated tricky themes with skill, countering the populist onslaughts with the accessible case for his faith in the law. 'No one wants to do deals with people they don't trust. No one wants to sign international agreements with a country that's got a government that's saying, well, 'We may comply with it, we may not'… We do. We succeed… Being a good faith player in international law is overwhelmingly in the national interests of this country.' That answer from Hermer forms the substantial case for keeping him in position. The willingness to break laws displayed by previous Tory administrations did not lead to boats being stopped or flights to Rwanda taking off. There was no evidence anywhere that lawbreaking helped the UK. Starmer is ruthless enough to sack an old friend like Hermer. But doing so would raise significant questions about his own public identity and sense of self, far more than with other high-profile dismissals under his leadership. As power edged closer before last summer's election, Starmer showed only limited interest in ministerial appointments. He was preoccupied with campaigning, well before Rishi Sunak announced the election date. Sue Gray played a larger role in many junior appointments, consulting with shadow cabinet members and their advisers on who should form the ministerial teams. But Hermer's appointment was Starmer's alone. He wanted him in that role. Those within government who brief against Hermer are, in effect, challenging Starmer's judgment and worldview. The Prime Minister's public voice is often unclear. Is he the leader who warned that Britain risks becoming an 'island of strangers,' or the one who later regretted saying so? Removing Hermer would suggest that Starmer had once again ceded power and key decisions to advisers who want him to be someone he is not. The symbolism would be stark. But more than that, his government needs the incumbent insurgents to flourish. Ironically, some of the most distinctive change-makers – Hermer, Ed Miliband, Bridget Phillipson – are being briefed against by those who see themselves as the real insurgents. Yet their version of insurgency amounts to continuity with the recent past: support for Michael Gove's secondary school reforms, alignment with Rishi Sunak's caution on net zero, and a desire to emulate Johnson or Farage on international law. Labour's manifesto was titled 'Change'. It is time to move on from that past. Hermer is among those doing just that. Whatever happens in the reshuffle, the genuine incumbent insurgents should remain in place. [See also: Are Unite and Labour heading for divorce?] Related

Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu's mystery fiance revealed after she kept his identity secret despite romantic proposal
Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu's mystery fiance revealed after she kept his identity secret despite romantic proposal

Scottish Sun

time21 hours ago

  • Entertainment
  • Scottish Sun

Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu's mystery fiance revealed after she kept his identity secret despite romantic proposal

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BIG Brother presenter AJ Odudu's mystery fiance has been revealed as an American art director living in New York. The TV presenter, 37, officially launched her relationship publicly last month in the most spectacular of ways. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 AJ Odudu's fiance has been revealed as an American art dealer from New York Credit: Instagram 4 The Big Brother presenter officially launched her relationship publicly last month Credit: Instagram 4 AJ's fiance Peter Gibson is said to be relocating to London Credit: Instagram AJ introduced her hunky man at the same time she announced they were engaged to be married. It has now been revealed that her fiance is Peter Gibson, who is originally from Idaho but currently living in the Big Apple. But the pair are planning to settle down in the UK, according to the Mail. Peter reportedly works for brand agency Wieden + Kennedy, who also have offices in London and Mexico. The pair are currently together in Seattle as they prepare for their nuptials. It is understood that AJ has been quietly making trips back and forth to New York to spend time with her partner. A source told the publication: "He's [Peter's] now planning a move to the UK so that he and AJ can live together and properly set themselves up for the future. "With many strings to his bow as an art director and creator, it made more sense for Pete to relocate, especially given AJ's career has taken off to new heights in the UK." The Sun has reached out to AJ's rep for comment. AJ was flooded with messages of congratulations from her famous pals after revealing her engagement. Fears for AJ Odudu and Will Best as CBB fans spot 'tension' in mistake-filled show - did you? Taking to Instagram, she wrote: "Hiya love," followed by a heart, ring and puppy eyes emoji. The presenter star did not reveal the name of her man, but she shared a string of loved-up snaps in which they embraced and kissed inside a photo booth. Another snap saw AJ proudly show off her sparkler while wearing a gorgeous feathered dress. Her partner - who had not previously been known by fans - looked suave in a cream suit, layered above a black tank top. The Strictly star's post attracted heaps of comments from her celeb friends, with Alexandra Burke writing: "Awww congrats babe! I love this for you!" Jourdan Dunn added: "Congratulations!!!" while Johannes Radebe said: "Awww congrats," and Anita Rani chimed in with: "congratulations." Joe Baggs, Henry Southan and Yinrun Huang also sent their love. Up until now, AJ had been believed to be single. In December 2021, there were rumours when she was on Strictly that she was dating her dance partner Kai Widdrington. When quizzed on Strictly: It Takes Two, the duo laughed and appeared awkward, before Kai explained: "If people react like this then it means we are doing something right, because that is the way the dance should be danced." He went on to say they wanted to do the "passionate, fiery and intimate" dance justice. "If people want to think that, then great but we are just doing our jobs, she was doing her job," he added. During her time on Channel 4's Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, AJ gave an insight into her previous relationships. TV presenter AJ does not have any children. She said: "I've been cheated on by three ex-boyfriends. "One of them was sleeping with my best friends."

Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu's mystery fiance revealed after she kept his identity secret despite romantic proposal
Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu's mystery fiance revealed after she kept his identity secret despite romantic proposal

The Sun

time21 hours ago

  • Entertainment
  • The Sun

Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu's mystery fiance revealed after she kept his identity secret despite romantic proposal

BIG Brother presenter AJ Odudu's mystery fiance has been revealed as an American art director living in New York. The TV presenter, 37, officially launched her relationship publicly last month in the most spectacular of ways. 4 4 4 AJ introduced her hunky man at the same time she announced they were engaged to be married. It has now been revealed that her fiance is Peter Gibson, who is originally from Idaho but currently living in the Big Apple. But the pair are planning to settle down in the UK, according to the Mail. Peter reportedly works for brand agency Wieden + Kennedy, who also have offices in London and Mexico. The pair are currently together in Seattle as they prepare for their nuptials. It is understood that AJ has been quietly making trips back and forth to New York to spend time with her partner. A source told the publication: "He's [Peter's] now planning a move to the UK so that he and AJ can live together and properly set themselves up for the future. "With many strings to his bow as an art director and creator, it made more sense for Pete to relocate, especially given AJ's career has taken off to new heights in the UK." The Sun has reached out to AJ's rep for comment. AJ was flooded with messages of congratulations from her famous pals after revealing her engagement. Fears for AJ Odudu and Will Best as CBB fans spot 'tension' in mistake-filled show - did you? Taking to Instagram, she wrote: "Hiya love," followed by a heart, ring and puppy eyes emoji. The presenter star did not reveal the name of her man, but she shared a string of loved-up snaps in which they embraced and kissed inside a photo booth. Another snap saw AJ proudly show off her sparkler while wearing a gorgeous feathered dress. Her partner - who had not previously been known by fans - looked suave in a cream suit, layered above a black tank top. The Strictly star's post attracted heaps of comments from her celeb friends, with Alexandra Burke writing: "Awww congrats babe! I love this for you!" Jourdan Dunn added: "Congratulations!!!" while Johannes Radebe said: "Awww congrats," and Anita Rani chimed in with: "congratulations." Joe Baggs, Henry Southan and Yinrun Huang also sent their love. Up until now, AJ had been believed to be single. In December 2021, there were rumours when she was on Strictly that she was dating her dance partner Kai Widdrington. When quizzed on Strictly: It Takes Two, the duo laughed and appeared awkward, before Kai explained: "If people react like this then it means we are doing something right, because that is the way the dance should be danced." He went on to say they wanted to do the "passionate, fiery and intimate" dance justice. "If people want to think that, then great but we are just doing our jobs, she was doing her job," he added. During her time on Channel 4's Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, AJ gave an insight into her previous relationships. TV presenter AJ does not have any children. She said: "I've been cheated on by three ex-boyfriends. "One of them was sleeping with my best friends." 4

Amanda Holden makes savage comment about nemesis Sharon Osbourne's 'Ozempic face'
Amanda Holden makes savage comment about nemesis Sharon Osbourne's 'Ozempic face'

Daily Mirror

timea day ago

  • Entertainment
  • Daily Mirror

Amanda Holden makes savage comment about nemesis Sharon Osbourne's 'Ozempic face'

Amanda Holden has reignited her feud with Sharon Osbourne after previously branding her 'bitter and pathetic' over comments she made about Simon Cowell Amanda Holden has fuelled the flames of her feud with Sharon Osbourne again after making a savage comment about her use of Ozempic. The women were involved in a bitter exchange two years ago when Amanda accused The Osbournes star of being 'bitter and pathetic' over comments she made about her former boss on the X Factor, Simon Cowell. ‌ Now, Amanda is at it again after saying 'she would always choose her face over her waistline' as she opened up Sharon's use of the drug designed to treat diabetes, which is now being used for weight loss. Former X Factor judge Sharon, 72, has been open about how Ozempic had an severe effect on her appearance after she lost four stone in three months. ‌ ‌ But, Amanda, 54, doesn't seem to have any sympathy as she told the Mail: "I would choose my face over my waist any day." She continued: "Obviously, yeah, with Sharon....", she paused... "It is a crazy time for those sort of jabs and things. But I will always choose my a*** over my weight and my boobs. This is where the weight goes." Amanda added: "We've seen some huge differences [with celebrities appearances] at some of the red carpets in Hollywood. ‌ "I think it's been very helpful for lots of people, I'm obviously not an advocate of somebody using it if they don't need to, just because we don't know what the implications are yet, but I think if people have used it for health reasons and for the right reasons, then it's great." Sharon irked Amanda when she said her Britain's Got Talent boss pal, Simon Cowell, "doesn't know how to keep friends" in a conversation with their fellow former X Factor judge Louis Walsh when the pair appeared together on Celebrity Big Brother. Responding, Amanda branded the comments: "Stabby, stabby, stabby" and accused Sharon of being "bitter and pathetic". ‌ She also praised Simon for giving Sharon and Louis a "lot of money and a lifestyle they probably wouldn't have had". However, retorting, Sharon took to Instagram fuming that Amanda did not know her "history in the music industry, my achievements, the artists I have worked with, the shows that I've produced, and my global celebrity". She said whenever she had seen the actress on television she always thought she was "very beautiful and talented" but told her: "Never make comments about my lifestyle given to me by Simon Cowell. ‌ "It's demeaning to me and my husband and all the achievements I have made in my life as you're making yourself look like an ill-informed sycophantic." Sharon, who starred alongside her family in the 2000s reality show The Osbournes and had her own talk show, said her brand is "known worldwide" and she has been "blessed with an amazing lifestyle throughout my entire life", with a mansion in Beverley Hills and an English country estate. She continued: "I never discuss money, lifestyle, or positions of power," she said. "I find it to be classless and crude. "Yes, Simon paid me very well. Probably more than what you're receiving today, but all of that my darling went on a few handbags."

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