Corfu Capers
Beware Russian Oligarchs bearing big boats in Greek waters -- that would seem to be the lesson for British politicians this morning.
First, it was Peter Mandelson in the dock for accepting the hospitality of Oleg Deripaska aboard his massive gin palace, Queen K, off the coast of Corfu. Some saw a potential conflict of interest given Deripaska's huge trade in metals and Mandelson's role as EU Trade Commissioner. It was also during this Greek sojourn of the rich and famous (even Rupert Murdoch has a walk on part in this story) that Mandelson was alleged to have "poured poison" into the ear of a top Tory about Gordon Brown. All of Westminster believes George Osborne was that top Tory and that, directly or indirectly, he leaked the story.
Now it is Osborne who is in the frame. Nat Rothschild, scion of the famous banking dynasty and provider of Greek hospitality to both Mandelson and Osborne, alleges that Osborne and a Tory fund-raiser have also enjoyed Deripaska's on-board hospitality -- and that they sought a donation for the Tory party from him. -- as well they might since it's illegal to accept political donations from foreigners.
Most of Westminster sees Mandelson's fingerprints all over this latest development. His allies have been muttering that there would be "retaliation" against Osborne for the original story. But part of the reason it is out in the open seems to be that Rothschild, a hard-boiled, secretive sort of chap, is simply miffed that Osborne made public his Greek hospitality arrangements. Rothschild is a friend of both Mandelson and Osborne but the Tory shadow chancellor is clearly off his guest list for now.
So it's all a tale of "When Toffs Fall Out" with the added spice of the dark arts of Westminster spin from the Mandelson and Osborne camps. Add in a Russian oligarch and a famous banking dynasty, with the world's biggest media mogul lurking in the background, all acted out against a background of the azure blue sea of Corfu dotted with billionaire yachts -- and you have a tale to intrigue the hearts of any interested citizen this chilly autumn morning.
We always said the return of Peter Mandelson would add to the gaiety of the nation. We just didn't realise how soon -- or on what a scale.
And it's not just the new Business Secretary's social milieu that's making the news today. So are his thoughts on the Post Office. 
Barely has he got his feet under the desk than he's stirred up a hornet's nest by talking about the partial sell-off of the Royal Mail, something he's wanted to do for years.
The Business Secretary is hardly unaware of how unpopular this would be among his own backbenches so we'll see how far he proceeds with the idea. He is being questioned by MPs who are more likely to press him to halt the current post office closure programme than encourage him in his part-privatisation plans.
We'll bring you the latest on the Corfu Capers and keep a close eye on any plans for the Post Office.
Also on the show today, former Sunday Telegraph editor Dominic Lawson on why the Government's Academy Schools programme is good for Britain - he'll be arguing with a secondary teacher who's firmly against the autonomous schools.
And we'll investigate David Cameron's latest attempts to appeal to women voters.
All that on the on Ö÷²¥´óÐã2 from Noon. Hope you can join us ...
Comments
or to comment.