Tony Clarke was the least stuffy of men. We were neighbours in the delightfully named hamlet of Stone-cum-Ebony, in Kent, and often spoke when putting the bins out.
When he was suddenly appointed to the new supreme court, he was the sole non-ennobled member, as his new colleagues had all been law lords. The anomaly needed rectifying.
Tony was sent to see Garter King of Arms, who warned that the process would take several weeks unless he was prepared to follow the express procedure: “calling yourself after wherever it is you live, provided the title hasn’t already been allocated”. And so it was done – Lord Clarke of Stone-cum-Ebony. “Piece of cake,” said Tony. “Took five minutes.”
