The feral beast: Glover digs in heels at Guardian

Sunday 11 April 2010 00:00 BST
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News reaches me that Julian Glover, The Guardian's token right-winger, is resisting writing leaders endorsing Labour in the election.

Apparently cover has had to be draughted in from true lefties Martin Kettle and David McKie. But Glover disputes this version of events: "It's not as exciting as that I'm afraid. I am moving from chief leader writer to being a regular columnist. That will include doing leaders through the election." If only The Guardian insisted their leaders be signed.

Snow cracks over Glass's goodbye

Fans of Jon Snow swoon over his stripey ties and manly sensitivity. But the Channel 4 newsreader was perhaps a little too emotional on Wednesday when he welled up at a farewell party for Nick Glass, C4 News arts correspondent, who is unexpectedly leaving after 32 years. Staff are unsettled by Glass's departure, especially as C4 news is set to invest in its arts coverage. "Nick was very high-brow," whispers a mole, "that's not what they want any more."

Grumpy scenes at the Groucho

Peter Oborne enjoys the freedom to beat his chest in the Mail every Saturday, but his thundering wasn't so welcome at the Groucho last week. Speaking at the launch of Heather Brooke's The Silent State, which calls for transparency in politics, he was shouted down for championing what he perceived as the book's Tory ideology. Brooke, who launched the expenses story, says she is apolitical and was appalled at Oborne's suggestion. Despite the noisy scenes Brooke and Oborne remain fans of each other.

BBC's trick question: Paed... what?

Why did the BBC refer to last week's losing MasterChef finalist Tim Kinnaird as a 'children's doctor', or often just as a 'doctor', rather than use his proper title of paediatrician? Could it be a legacy of the time a Newport paediatrician was attacked by muddled vigilantes after a News of the World campaign to name and shame paedophiles? A BBC spokesman struggled to explain: "It's just a way of defining a job," she said. Well, you can't be too careful.

S&M in Oxford Union debate

Any journalist eager to tell Keith Schilling what they think of his rottweiler-staffed legal practice is encouraged to visit the Oxford Union next term. He is going to debate the motion, "This house believes a public person has no right to a private life" on 10 June, beside party-loving former Formula 1 boss Max Mosley. No prizes for guessing which side each is on.

Editor's fancy turns to Mrs Brown

Paul Dacre's softspot for Gordon Brown extends equally to Sarah, who has been bathed in the warm glow of the Mail editor's approval. A piece by Jan Moir on Friday, headed 'War of the wives', needled Sam Cam but was kinder to Sarah Brown. One Mail staffer recalls Dacre seeing the PM's wife on telly and involuntarily murmuring, "Now there's a fine woman," with a faraway look.

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