Dominic Raab
(Picture: Getty Images)It’s a tough old week for Justice Secretary Dominic Raab, with civil servants reportedly complaining about his “rude and aggressive” behaviour.
When he returned to the Ministry of Justice last month after a brief stint on the back benches, civil service bosses are said to have offered “routes out” for staff who did not want to work with the minister again.
The Londoner learns that Raab, pictured, is trying to hire a new principal private secretary. Ads for the job on LinkedIn and the gov.uk website promise “a workplace where everyone feels valued” and “a working culture which encourages inclusion”. The headlines tell a different story. Might they be putting candidates off?
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has defended his Justice Secretary, saying he doesn’t recognise such depictions of Raab.
Pelican brief is to stay isle-solated
The bird flu lockdown is spreading. First the Tower locked up its ravens, now St James’ Park has trapped its pelicans on Duck Island to protect them from the latest outbreak. “The pelicans are well and continue to be fed their daily diet of fish by staff,” a Royal Parks spokesperson tells us. “We hope they will be out and about preening themselves by the lake soon.” While the disease runs rampant, the pellys will remain isle-solated.
Rishi recycled me, says Gove
Michael Gove, Levelling Up Secretary, self-deprecated at the Margaret Thatcher Conference yesterday: “Our government’s commitment to recycling has been shown by the way in which the Justice Secretary and the Levelling Up Secretary have been recycled effectively after only a few weeks on the waste pile,” he said. Both were sacked by Liz Truss and rehired by Rishi Sunak.
Noises off
BBC Radio staff have raised concerns about diverse programming after bosses announced schedule changes last week. Presenters fear new timetabling means cutting a number of African and Caribbean shows. “I feel the BBC has really fallen short of its mantra on diversity. These shows are the only platform for black and Asian communities on the BBC,” says Ed Adoo, who hosts an afrobeats show on local radio.
Santa is in the house already
Last night Christmas came early for musician and actress Paloma Faith, who posed for a picture with Santa Claus then performed a few songs at Rosewood London’s Christmas Courtyard Party. She’s currently starring in a TV version of Dangerous Liaisons. Among the other revellers were Noughties pop royalty Nadine Coyle (Girls Aloud) and Rachel Stevens (S Club 7), as well as ITV presenters Andrea McLean and Dermot O’Leary. O’Leary was recently granted the Freedom of The City of London for his charity work.
