Michael Portillo

Like this page on Facebook for updates

Sport on TV: Spectre of Thatcher hangs over the governor of Govan

So Sir Alex Ferguson finally stopped all the clocks. Jon Snow took himself up to Chester racecourse, where the old nag was supposed to be, to cover the biggest story of the day for Channel 4 News. He was accused of downgrading the Queen's Speech and vilified with as much venom as the Prince of Darkness himself might have unleashed. Meanwhile Fergie had done a neat side-step, Cristiano-style, and was nowhere to be seen. From the other end of the sofa came the comment: "Bloody hell, it's not like the Queen's abdicated" – although as she tuned into the news, she might have considered it. Except that the one person who could run the country instead of her had just headed for the Highlands himself.

On Google+
On Twitter
Top writers
Places
Politics
The Independent
i Newspaper
 
TheIPaper
The Independent around the web
E-break Time
Independent Crossword

Kiss the boys and marry the girls

Sunday 12 September 1999

Why are people so shocked that the Portillos are happily married, despite Michael's gay past? HERO BROWN on the prejudices modern couples still face

Tories: Portillo did the right thing

Saturday 11 September 1999

WILLIAM HAGUE should lead the Tories into the next general election, grassroots Conservatives said yesterday. And they also believe that Michael Portillo was right to reveal his past homosexual experiences.

Leading Article: Mr Portillo may bring a new public morality

Saturday 11 September 1999

THE REACTIONS to Michael Portillo's "revelations" have been significant in themselves. As recently as 10 years ago, homophobic comments in the press were par for the course. Now, although there has been a sprinkling of sniggering jokes, Michael Portillo's self-outing seems to have paid off. It is possible that the burghers of Kensington and Chelsea will draw the line at the possibility of electing an MP who has admitted to gay experience; but with prominent Tories lining up to support him, that seems unlikely.

Monitor: Response to the former MP's disclosure of gay experiences and speculation on his political...

Saturday 11 September 1999

All the News of the World: MICHAEL PORTILLO

Portillo pleads his case to the Tory core voters

Saturday 11 September 1999

FOR ALL his protestations that he has no designs on the Tory leadership, a throwaway remark by Michael Portillo yesterday suggests that he still has a grand sense of his destiny.

Leading Article: As Mr Portillo once said, who dares wins

Friday 10 September 1999

BRITISH POLITICS needs Michael Portillo. This is not a sentiment that The Independent might have found itself sharing a few years ago. Mr Portillo's performances at Conservative Party conferences played well with a dwindling band of elderly activists, but for most of the rest of us they were toe-curling embarrassments, maladroit and bordering on the xenophobic. To the voters Mr Portillo was, Neil Hamilton aside, the most potent symbol of the arrogance that enveloped the Conservatives during their last years. There were many who were glad that they "stayed up for Portillo" to see him lose his seat in May 1997.

`These confessions will not worry the blue-rinse brigade'

Friday 10 September 1999

CONSERVATIVES IN Kensington and Chelsea said yesterday that Michael Portillo's revelations about his homosexual experiences made no difference to whether he is selected as a parliamentary candidate. In fact, the blemish on his curriculum vitae may even boost his chances.

Michael Portillo's sexual past is colourful - but it's his own affair

Friday 10 September 1999

The image is irresistible: the future Tory leader in a canary twinset, cavorting on Midsummer Common

Portillo speaks of gay experiences `in past'

Thursday 09 September 1999

THE FORMER defence secretary Michael Portillo last night spoke of having had "homosexual experiences". He is the most senior Conservative to make such a statement.

Farewell to the maverick Mr Clark

Wednesday 08 September 1999

Enter Mr Portillo, great blue hope

Letter: The no-policy party

Monday 06 September 1999

Sir: Contrary to what the Tory image-makers would like us to believe, the unpopularity of William Hague has little to do with image and a great deal to do with the lack of Tory policies.

Tories accuse Portillo of compassion

Monday 23 August 1999

MICHAEL Portillo was accused of trying to further his Tory leadership ambitions yesterday after his latest attempt to portray himself as the "caring" face of Conservatism.

Archer insults generation of black London women

Tuesday 10 August 1999

JEFFREY ARCHER'S bid to become mayor of London was in danger of imploding last night after he described a generation of black women as badly dressed and overweight.

Hague puts party on election alert

Monday 02 August 1999

WILLIAM HAGUE has put the Tories on alert for a general election next spring and ordered them to shed their image as a "single issue party" on Europe. Although Tony Blair is unlikely to call an election before autumn next year at the earliest, the Conservative leader has demanded that the party speed up its preparations in case of a snap poll.
SPONSORED FEATURES

Get your summer started with British Military Fitness

BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes

Visit York Prizes & offers Business videos

Visit York

Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world

Military Fitness Prizes & offers Business videos

Enter the latest Independent competitions

Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.

Military Fitness Visit York Business videos

Business videos from commercial thought leaders

Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.

Military Fitness Visit York Prizes & offers
Career Services

Day In a Page

Independent Travel Shop See all offers »
Dordogne, Albi and Carcassonne
 Seven nights from only £1,039pp Find out more
South Africa
 15 nights from only £1,899pp Find out more
Paris and the Cote d’Azur city break
 Seven nights from £579pp Find out more
Seville, Granada and Malaga break
 Seven nights from £549pp Find out more
Venice city break
 Two nights from only £199pp - third night free on selected dates Find out more
Grand Elysée, Hamburg
 Up to 47% off
 OFFER ENDS 19 MAY Find out more
5* Turkey holiday
 Up to 20% off
 OFFER ENDS 19 MAY Find out more
La Maltese, Santorini
 Up to 63% off
 OFFER ENDS 19 MAY Find out more
The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in
The real thing? Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'

The real thing?

Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'
Gordon Ramsey's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

Gordon Ramsay's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

The pugnacious chef finally met a shambolic restaurant he couldn't save. John Walsh on when TV makover refuseniks fight back
Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

Glamorous myth of the flight attendant lifestyle undermined by angry employee's claims of 'exploitation'
Braising saddles: Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it!

Braising saddles: How to cook horse meat

Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it! Will Coldwell hoofs it to the kitchen.
Why bitters are back on the bar: A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails

Why bitters are back on the bar

A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails. No wonder we're learning to love them again...
The 10 Best barbecues

The 10 Best barbecues

Whether you're cooking on gas or are a convert to charcoal we've got the perfect way to cook when the sun is out.
Style icon David Beckham calls time on his long retirement

Style icon calls time on his long retirement

David Beckham never disgraced himself but former England captain ceased to be a major player years ago. Remember him at his United peak
Steve Harper: My darkest times

Steve Harper: My darkest times

As the popular Newcastle goalkeeper bows out after 20 years at the club, he tells Martin Hardy about the private battle with depression that threatened his career
Sir Torquil Norman has designed a flat-pack OX truck for the developing world

The flat-pack truck with big ambitions

After making a fortune from Polly Pocket and a doll's house shaped like a teapot, the entrepreneur has turned his creativity to a transporter truck for the developing world. Simon Usborne meets him.