Charity boss Pen Farthing has said he may have to self-publish a book about how the Government controversially helped him evacuate his animals from Afghanistan because he can’t find a publisher.
Farthing, returned to the UK on a plane carrying about 200 dogs and cats as the Taliban took over the country in August 2021. The mission was accused of prioritising “pets over people”.
In a recent letter to his supporters, Farthing wrote: “Sadly... I cannot find any publisher willing to back my book... So, if it goes ahead I will have to self-publish”. He added: “these incredible donations and all the letters of encouragement and supportive emails I received have helped me realise that Operation Ark, even with the unbelievable stress from the fall out and the personal loss experienced, was definitely the right decision”.
A source at Nowzad told us the book would show the safety of staff was Farthing’s priority. At the time, No 10 denied Boris and Carrie Johnson had intervened, despite claims they had been involved.
Simon Rattle attacks music cuts
Conductor Sir Simon Rattle has hit out at cuts to Arts Council England and its effect on the British classical music scene. Pulling no punches, the British-German conductor described the recent cuts as an “an act of cultural vandalism” which is “illiterate”, “shortsighted”, and “a real violence to the British music scene”.
Last week the English National Opera announced they had secured a £24 million grant to help soften the blow of moving their HQ outside of London.
Sir Simon suspects that some classical music-loving MPs are keeping quiet over the cuts as they are “worried that they may be tarred with being elitist or fat cats”, he told Australian media. Talk about sabre-rattling.
Dua Lipa plans more activism
Singer Dua Lipa has said she will continue to make political statements, even if they get her in trouble. “I feel good about my activism,” Dua, right, said in an interview about her lifestyle newsletter Service95. She has previously backed Palestinian rights. “Sometimes I say things and think ‘Oh, I could have worded it a bit differently’,” she said. “But if I really say something bad I’ll say sorry”.
More pageantry please, says Goldsmith
News that peers won’t be allowed to wear their “coronation robes” at the ceremony next month has irritated Ben Goldsmith. Arguing against “drips and dullards” who want the event “watered down” to suit modern sensibilities, the environmentalist thinks the King should “Go big or go home” and keep the aristocracy front and centre. Ben has skin in the game — his brother Zac is in the Lords.
Raising the roof
SINGER Kelela performed at the opening of The Rooftop at The Standard hotel yesterday. Also attending were Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts and Drag Race’s Bimini Bon Boulash. On Friday, rapper Avelino was joined by Wretch 32 and Etta Bond at a boat bash to celebrate the release of his new album. Across the pond, Amelia Dimoldenberg went to the Coachella festival, while in Cannes, actor Rebecca Ferguson attended a screening of her new sci-fi TV show Silo.
