The Daily Mirror’s coverage of the Jenrick affair is very muted. In fact it is hard to find it mentioned in the printed version of the paper at all this morning. You would have thought a Tory sleaze with billionaires story would be splashed day in, day out all over the front pages of the Daily Mirror. Pippa Crerar, the political editor, loves nothing more than bashing the Tories and sticking it to the powerful. So how come she’s so silent on this story?
Could it be because at the infamous fundraising dinner the Mirror’s editor-in-chief, Lloyd Embley, was there too? Guido spoke to the usually ebullient editor and asked him if it was true, that he was sat at the table with Richard Desmond – off whom he negotiated the purchase of the Daily Star and Daily Express. He was a tad evasive, though he didn’t deny it.
Perhaps Pippa could ask her editor-in-chief what was said at the table. She might get a scoop. Though given her editor has been sitting on the story for months and Richard Desmond owns 8% of her employer, Guido is not sure how fearless she is going to be in speaking truth to power…
Battling to save his job, Robert Jenrick defended has defended the decisions he took over the Westferry property development in light of questions about the influence of the property developer – also a Tory party donor. He confirmed documents are now being reviewed by the Cabinet Secretary…
The usual suspects who raise a hue and cry about media plurality seem strangely silent about the Mirror – Express merger. Print sector media plurality is being dramatically reduced from four major media groups to 3 plus the also rans. The new group will have about a quarter market share of the UK dead tree press. As the print market withers it is turning oligopolistic…
Tom Watson is silent, the usual gobby ‘media plurality’ campaigners are also mute. The Guardian isn’t going on about the hackers at the Mirror not being fit and proper to take over the Express. There are genuine public interest concerns; plurality is being reduced and the distinctive political voice of the Express is being put at risk. Are plurality concerns only applicable to Rupert Murdoch?
Dacre and Desmond went all in with their praise for May’s manifesto and “social care revolution” last week, only to be made to look like chumps by the u-turn. The Mail and Express generously spare Theresa any front page blushes…
UPDATE: Though the Mail’s Stephen Glover tells Newsnight: “There’s no doubt the original policy was a cock-up and an own goal.”
I think this U-turn shows that May is too reliant on one or two advisers – particularly Nick Timothy, says Stephen Glover #newsnight pic.twitter.com/ZzFe2XWUvy
— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) May 22, 2017
“He displays a fine line in self-deprecating wit,” says Virginia Blackburn, in a 5-star review of Richard Desmond’s new book. For the Express…
This morning’s Jewish Telegraph claims Ed Miliband threatened to sue them if they published Richard Desmond’s account of a meeting between the media mogul and former Labour leader. The paper’s splash alleges:
“The former Labour leader was furious over allegations that he had made offensive remarks to Desmond about Israeli action against Palestinians. The Daily Express owner had told the Jewish Telegraph that Miliband had verbally attacked Israel during a chance encounter on London’s Hampstead Heath.
Miliband’s spokesman, who had seen a full transcript of Desmond’s interview, said: “You should expect legal action and/or a complaint to the press watchdog if you go ahead with publication.”
They go on:
“Desmond alleged that Miliband made certain remarks about Israel, which we have chosen not to print.
The newspaper chief suggested that Miliband had been “in such a rage. I couldn’t stop him – he was going berserk [about Israel’s actions]”.”
So what did angry Ed say?
And what is it with him meeting people on Hampstead Heath? Maybe Gareth can mediate…
