Famed financier and Conservative party donor Crispin Odey is defending his reputation after the Financial Times reported accusations of sexual misconduct against him by 13 women yesterday (all of which he strenuously denies). JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley are considering cutting ties with Odey, according to Reuters. So who can he turn to in these trying times? The elite club run by his friend Robin Birley, 5 Hertford Street, might be one option. But there is some mystery regarding his status at the club. The Londoner hears that Odey, right, was asked to stay away from the club long before yesterday’s story broke.
When The Londoner phoned him yesterday asking if he is still a club member, Odey said: “Of course I am! Robin [Birley] is a close friend.” When we put it to him that he hasn’t been seen there in yonks, Odey said: “Well, I’m a member of lots of clubs, one gets around.” But has he been asked to stay away? “No, not at all!” Didn’t he get the memo? The Hertford Street club didn’t seem sure of their own position. When we put the story to them, the club gave some confused responses before telling us that they do not comment on the identity of members. Birley has previously described Odey as “a personal friend and a valued member of 5 Hertford Street”.
Dame Judi’s new mission as M
It seems the Department of Trade is splashing the cash in its mission to build up brand Britain. Civil servants at the department tell us that Lord Johnson, a junior trade minister, has commissioned a James Bond-themed short film to promote the UK’s cultural offering. We hear Dame Judi Dench, pictured, is lined up to appear. She played the steely spy boss “M” in the official Bond films. But sadly this one won’t be playing at a cinema near you. The film will only be shown to visiting emissaries in the trade department’s Whitehall building. Apparently Rishi Sunak, more of a Star Wars fan, likes the idea. We hope he is shaken and stirred by the flick.
Sir Derek Jacobi values the arts outside London
Sir Derek Jacobi has called a truce in the quarrel between the Standard and Arts Council England over its decision to move some big cultural institutions, such as the English National Opera, out of London. “I spent many years of my early career out of London,” Sir Derek, right, told us with a smile. “London, I suppose, becomes the Mecca, but there is a vibrant theatre in the provinces. That’s where I learned my craft!”
Natural History Museum ‘horrified’ by nationalist event
The Natural History Museum has quietly apologised for hosting the National Conservatism conference dinner last month. Keynote speaker Douglas Murray caused outrage when he said nationalism shouldn’t be written off just because “the Germans mucked up twice in a century”. The museum says it was “horrified and saddened” by the event and will donate the proceeds to a good cause.
Dame Joan is royally bored
Dame Joan Collins dazzled at the launch of her son Alexander Newley’s portrait collection last night in Kensington. Dame Joan, who really has seen it all before, tells us she finds the hoo-ha around Prince Harry mind-numbing. “I haven’t been reading about it,” she blithely told us, “I find it boring. Boring, darling!” Dancer Katya Jones and former This Morning doctor Ranj Singh, below left, were at a Gaucho launch. Elon Musk’s mum was at a party for FURLA, a brand.
