Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Robbie Griffiths

Spectator seeks new columnist as Taki leaves after attempted rape conviction

Know any sharp writers with a talent for expensive living? The Spectator magazine is searching for one, as its long-serving writer Taki Theodoracopulos, author of the “High Life” column, has left the building.

Taki was recently given a 12-month suspended prison sentence in Switzerland for an attempted rape in 2009. His column has not appeared in the last two issues of the magazine, and it was reported he “resigned” from the job.

Taki had been writing the column since 1977, covering his life eating in fine restaurants and mixing with society in the Swiss resort Gstaad, London, and New York. The latest Spectator, without his words in it, is out today. It has a “No Life” column by writer Lloyd Evans.

Taki's last column for the magazine appeared on the issue of the 7th of October. It started: "I had a good talk with my NBF, Owen Matthews, at The Spectator’s writers’ party, and we agreed on the two subjects we talked about: Russia and women. I won’t exaggerate the enormity of our aggregate knowledge – and the way we have deployed it in our service, especially where the fairer sex is concerned. Suffice to say that it is far beyond the comprehension of most individuals who concern themselves only with money..."

And finished: "My next stop in London will be Marina Lambton’s book party. I once slept in her bed but alas she was not in it. Her father Timmy (four million acres) Hanbury had assigned me her room during the cricket weekend. Because of her absence, I was almost voted man of the match

The mag is also lacking a “Low Life” writer, after the sad passing of their much-loved scribe Jeremy Clarke, who died from cancer this year. We understand the mag is inviting readers to pitch them new “life” columns. Do send in yours...

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.