Peter Mandelson recounts his dealings with Putin to Andrew Marr…
Peter Mandelson: He once turned to me and said, you know you are a very, very unpleasant person, Mr. Mandelson, and you’re obviously determined to inflict great harm on Russia, which we reject. All I was doing was negotiating a trade agreement.
Marr: I’ve had worse from Momentum.
Peter Mandelson: I’ve had since worse from Momentum. But he’s, he will just sort of make you feel you’ll try and put you onto the backfoot and make you feel uncomfortable. He will try to show you up in front of your colleagues. He will make you out to be, you know, the, you know, the last remaining obstacles in what could be a marvellous agreement. He will try everything.
Following Tuesday’s surprising announcement that Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel were leaving the BBC to join LBC, the station has now revealed what’s in store for its other big signing: Tonight with Andrew Marr will air Monday to Thursday from 6pm to 7pm, with the first show set for 7th March. Global also announced ex-BBC politics editor Rob Burley will re-join Marr as his Executive Editor, confirming Guido’s scoop from January…
Speaking this morning, Marr said:
“I’ve always thought journalism is about breaking stories, ruffling feathers and having some fun on the way. My new LBC show, Tonight with Andrew Marr is perfectly timed at 6pm, the end of busy political days, and stuffed with great guests, and will do just that. Anyone wanting bland, safe, wearily predictable journalism is strongly advised to look elsewhere.”
Still no announcements made yet on who will permanently fill Marr’s old Sunday morning slot at the BBC…
New Statesman editor Jason Cowley on hiring Andrew Marr…
“For the first time I feel a bit like a football manager who now has a transfer budget, I can actually start to bring in some big hitters and more experience and I’m delighted to be able to do that.”
In a statement Andrew Marr has announced he is to leave the BBC after 21 years. He is to move to Global “to write and present political and cultural shows, and to write for newspapers”. A subsequent statement by Global on the “huge new signing” reveals Marr is to present shows on LBC and Classic FM, as well as presenting a new weekly podcast and writing a regular column for LBC. Marr adds:
“I think British politics and public life are going to go through an even more turbulent decade, and as I’ve said, I am keen to get my own voice back.”
While it goes without saying, it’s a major loss to the Corporation…
