Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng
(Picture: Dylan Martinez/PA Wire)Former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng was a notable absence at Rishi Sunak’s first bout at Prime Minister Questions yesterday. Perhaps he was nursing a sore head? We only ask because we hear he was in St James’s Turf Club the previous night with guests craning their necks to get a glimpse of the former chancellor. There are many sorrows to drown. At least he can look forward to patching up his friendship with Liz Truss. The two were mates for years, but his unceremonious sacking has left a bitter taste. Rumours have been swirling this week that Kwasi could get a gong in Truss’s resignation honours list (the least she could do, really).
But with the former PM fighting to restore her own rep, it’s unlikely she will walk into cronyism allegations. It is doubtful he’ll ever make government again.
Rishi’s paws for thought
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak put paid to rumours he hated dogs last year by getting a labrador called Nova. Now Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will be moving his family dog, Poppy, into the Downing Street digs. Boris and Carrie’s dog Dilyn was “out of control”. But it looks like Sunak and Hunt’s placid pooches will get along. A more stable relationship between Number 10 and 11?
Swap RADA for TikTok
Amelia Gething, who stars as Anne Bronte in new film Emily, has novel advice for aspiring movie stars: set up a TikTok account. Gething didn’t go through the drama school route and says “these days all you need is a phone and an account so it’s quite easy to start”. While influencers turned actors used to be looked down on, she thinks “it works in your favour now.” She adds: “I can’t speak for things like RADA.”
The Times is second best for Gove
Michael Gove brought disappointing news at the Press Club awards yesterday. Newly restored to Cabinet by the new PM, Gove joked: “Until about 20 hours I was due to join Times Radio!” He won’t have time now. “I was flattered at the thought”, he said, “but Rishi Sunak, not for the first time, crushed a promising rival.” Those at The Times’ table weren’t laughing.
Last night in town
Henry Cavill, hotly tipped to be the next Bond, chatted to MTV in New York last night. Meanwhile, in London, model Simone Murphy attended the premiere of Bros, a new gay rom com. At the Waldorf, actor Nicholas Pinnock helped to launch the Raindance film festival. At the party, Jonathan Pryce and Vanessa Redgrave were given a special award for their long acting careers. Emily Atack was across town at the Soap & Glory launch party.
