Protesters threw the statue of Edward Colston into Bristol harbour during a Black Lives Matter protest rally (Ben Birchall/PA)
(Picture: PA Wire)A ROW has broken out among the lawyers who secured a celebrated acquittal of the “Colston Four” over the toppling of slave trader Edward Colston’s statue, right, in 2020.
Three of the four lawyers are appearing at an event today entitled Colston: The Legal Arguments, but the fourth, Liam Walker, has not been invited.
The Londoner understands the lawyers partly fell out over claiming credit for the acquittal. The webinar promises “to explore the legal defences in the Colston Four case”, but without the lawyer credited with the ingenious “lawful excuse” arguments which may have swayed the jury.
It might make for an awkward event, as the trial judge was dismissive of the submissions of the advocates who are speaking on the panel. He described one as “arrant nonsense” and another as “not altogether helpful”.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they now claim to have sprung Mandela from Robben Island pro bono,” one source told us. Walker declined to comment.
Sarpong: BBC not inherently racist
OUTGOING BBC diversity chief June Sarpong, left, has defended the Corporation against charges of racism. “I don’t believe there are deeply inherent systemic issues that make it impossible for people of colour to succeed within the BBC,” she tells Broadcast, blaming an “industry-wide… societal issue”, and hinting that an annual report will show progress. Last week, a Variety investigation slammed the Beeb for a recent “exodus” of women of color. Sarpong was paid £267,000 for working a three-day week, though it is reported her replacement will have a lower salary.
Always looking out for her son
NOVELIST Howard Jacobson’s mother was a catastrophist. The Booker prize-winning author told an event last night that, even at moments of great triumph, she would be full of doubt. At the age of 18, he said, “I’d got a letter that I’d won a place at Cambridge. I tell my mother ‘I’ve got in! I’ve got in!’ the house goes very still.” His mother said: “Let me just take a look at the envelope, let’s be absolutely certain it’s meant for you.” Ouch. But, Jacobson added to the 5x15 event: “It was meant to be loving, she didn’t want me to be disappointed”.
SW1A
DR Rosena Allin-Khan recalled a cab driver’s Islamophobic rant at a live recording of Matt Forde’s Political Party. At the end of the ride, the Tooting MP asked if he’d ever met a Muslim. He said no. She replied: “Now you have”, and added, “firstly, I forgive you. And second, I’m not paying for this bloody cab drive.” Classy.
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LATER, Jacob Rees-Mogg took to the stage with Forde and revealed he’d brought a special guest with him. “And nanny is in the audience, so I’ve got to say the right thing,” Rees-Mogg said. Forde made the crowd give “Nanny Veronica” a stirring round of applause. A little peculiar…
BRIDGERTON star Adjoa Andoh and writer Benedict Lombe partied at a prize ceremony at Shakespeare’s Globe last night, where they were joined by Dawn King, Sarah Hanly and Amanda Wilkin. Presenter Lorraine Pascale was in Clerkenwell for a Disney+ event while Lady Eliza Manners and Esme Amberg went to a screening of new film Operation Mincemeat.
