Simpson plays to press on war front
JOHN SIMPSON, the BBC’s World Affairs Editor, has lent his name to a virulently anti-Iraq war play that lampoons George W. Bush and newspapers for being supine.
The corporation has demanded strict neutrality on the Iraq war, particularly in the aftermath of the Hutton inquiry and resignation of Greg Dyke and Gavyn Davies as director-general and chairman.
The pompous Simpson, a BBC journalist for 34 years, has written a warm appreciation of Embedded, the anti-war play by the US actor/activist Tim Robbins, who is married to Susan Sarandon.
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Simpson’s written endorsement, which came after he saw the play in New York, has been used prominently in the publicity material by Riverside Studios in London, which is staging the play. “Wildly entertaining,” Simpson wrote. “You will find more truth about war on this stage than you will in most newspapers.”
Embedded follows the war from the sales pitch that made it acceptable to much of the American public, through to its bloody aftermath.
Seven masked caricatures of Bush advisers, including Rum Rum (Donald Rumsfeld) and Wilsie (Paul Wolfowitz), chant incantations to the University of Chicago guru of neo-conservatism, Leo Strauss. The programme notes explain: “One of the great services that Strauss performed for the Bush Administration (was) the provision of a philosophy of the noble lie, the conviction that lies, far from being simply a regrettable necessity of public life, are instead virtuous and noble instruments of wise policy.”
The BBC said of Simpson’s endorsement: “John was happy to endorse the US production but surprised to find that it was used here, as that is not the view he holds of the British press.”
High achiever drops in for arts challenge
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BEAR GRYLLS, at 23 the youngest man to climb Everest, is taking on a new challenge. The dashing Grylls, now 29, is taking part in a sponsored abseil in aid of the Lord Mayor of London’s Appeal, Music and the Arts for Everyone, which is aiding the London Symphony Orchestra’s community arts programme.
Grylls, who has also sailed the Atlantic in an inflatable dinghy, is passionate about music.
“I play the guitar and piano but always wished I could play them better. I took my guitar to Base Camp when we climbed Everest,” he said.
And his next challenge? “To try to beat the record for hosting the highest-ever dinner party. I am going to be hung from a wire under a hot-air balloon at some 25,000ft.”
The mind boggles.
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Size advantage
THE Secretary of State for Caravans — sorry, the Environment — Margaret Beckett, a high-profile supporter of caravaners, will sleep easy tonight knowing that the Government has halted EU plans to regulate the size of vans that can be towed across the 25 member states. An Englishman’s mobile home is his castle. Now it can be the size of one.
Paean to Pig
LOVE knows no bounds, as especially noted by The Times Obituary department. An assistant to the marvellous milliner Philip Treacy telephoned yesterday to try to arrange an obituary for his beloved dog and constant companion, Mr Pig. The Jack Russell terrier, is 11. The breed has an average lifespan of 14 so Treacy is merely being practical.
Mother’s helper
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IF THE great lady herself would not do it there was one other obvious candidate to open the exhibition in her honour. Step forward the delightful Carol Thatcher who will do the honours for her mother at the Women’s Library at Metropolitan University, London, which is staging Iron Ladies: Women in Thatcher’s Britain from October 21.
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