While Stormont and the DUP go into meltdown yet again, Arlene’s having a lovely political retirement:
“Just had a lovely lunch @DeanesAtQueens with a good friend. It’s great hospitality is open again- Hope everyone is having a great day this lovely sunny afternoon.”
Co-conspirators were delighted at the news last week of Dr Christian Jessen’s court defeat at the hands of Arlene Foster, after he alleged on Twitter that she’d had an affair. The damages Jessen has to pay came to £150,000, with the legal fees taking the total damage to £425,000. Dr Christian’s solution? Crowdfunding.
After four days, the total he’s raised has come to a disappointing £7,850 out of the £150,000 goal, from 332 donors. He tells backers that any money raised over the goal will be donated to relevant charities. Doesn’t look like there’s any chance of that…
What Dr Christian’s crowfunder doesn’t tell donors is he is far from cash-strapped. During the court case, he gave evidence that, at the start of 2020, he was living at 77 Walpole House, 126 Westminster Bridge Road SE1 – his home of 10 years; however he also owned 79 Walpole House. A basic online evaluation puts both these flats at a market value of £1.2 million and £797,000 respectively. If Dr Christian is genuinely cash strapped, Guido suggests he flogs one of his premium London properties, rather than fleecing his supporters…
It looks like Arlene Foster will be finishing her time as First Minister on a high after defeating Embarrassing Bodies doctor Christian Jessen in court, over his claims in December 2019 that she’d been having an extra-marital affair. The lefty celebrity doctor has been ordered to pay £125,000 for the defamatory tweet. There’s only one embarrassed body in this case…
Arlene Foster is due to step down as DUP leader tomorrow, and as First Minister of Nothern Ireland at the end of June. Thankfully Dr Christian’s just sorted out a luxury post-job holiday for her…
UPDATE: M’learned friend points out that it is £125,000 plus Foster’s legal costs and Jessen’s own legal costs. So likely the total bill will be closer to £500,000!
75% of the Northern Irish assembly’s DUP members have signed a letter of no confidence in first minister Arlene Foster, along with at least half of her MPs in Westminster, five years into her leadership. According to the Belfast News Letter, there are 21 MLAs, four MPs and at least one peer’s name on the letter sent to the party chairman Lord Morrow.
Morrow says there will now be an emergency meeting of party officers to put in place a leadership challenge – easier said than done given the party has never had a formal internal challenge before. It’s been thought Foster’s leadership security was enjoying no obvious contender waiting in the wings, now they finally need to find someone…
