Londoner's Diary: Mary Beard guarded over Hillary Clinton's compliment

One-time presidential candidate and former First Lady Hillary Clinton surprised everyone this year when she name-checked Cambridge classicist Mary Beard, pictured, in her book, What Happened. But while Clinton is a fan of the scholar, the feelings aren’t mutually gushing.

Plugging her new book, Women in Power from Medusa to Merkel, Beard explains the conceit. “It was a reflection of why Clinton didn’t make it,” she said. “I kind of think that the glass ceiling metaphor, which most women like us felt very strongly about, really spoke to me. But it speaks to women who are nearly at the top of the tree: it doesn’t speak remotely to the women who are struggling on the lower branches.

“All the decor had been planned for her victory party. That did not speak to struggling women in Wyoming and I don’t think it speaks to struggling women in the UK”. Beard verified that she favoured Clinton over Trump, naturally, but was incredulous that she “didn’t make it [to the White House] when it seemed so obvious that she would, when confronted with a rather stupid thick male groper.”

Beard was speaking at Sotheby’s yesterday for the Bazaar at Work summit, which celebrates the work of influential women including Samantha Cameron and Livia Firth.

Inevitably, recent accusations of sexual assault were a key topic under discussion. But she fears that society won’t change any time soon. “I feel that it’s going to be a very slow process”, she remarked. “And I don’t think I will live to see it, which I know sounds gloomy.” Courage, mon Beard.

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A tech manifesto from Howards End actress Hayley Atwell, who offers The Idler her guide to tweeting. “I made some social media rules that I live by,” she says. “Never post when hungry, angry, lonely or tired. Don’t look up ex-boyfriends [or] people that you’re jealous of. Don’t Google yourself. Don’t read comments. Contribute positively. Don’t engage in controversy or become too political.” Someone get her a meeting with the Digital Secretary.

Prize Gaffe at Baillie Gifford book award

THE literati gathered at RIBA last night to celebrate the annual Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction, but there was a slight hiccup — journalist Anjana Ahuja revealed the winner prematurely.

The mishap occurred when the judging panel, chaired by ITV chairman Sir Peter Bazalgette, introduced the shortlisted author’s works and awarded them a £1,000 cheque each. When it was Ahuja’s turn to present a cheque to David France, author of How to Survive a Plague, she slipped up: “Please come up to collect your trophy.” Twenty minutes later, he did.

“I want to accept this in the name of the 40 million people who died of Aids,” France said in his speech.

Quote of the Day

"It won't happen again on my watch"

After accusations of sexual harassment on the set of The Royals, actress Elizabeth Hurley makes a vow to victims

Business booms for foodies and innovators

IT WAS a big night for new businesses last night. Second Home launched its Holland Park outpost, where co-founders Rohan Silva and Sam Aldenton turned a former photography and architecture studio into a collaborative office space. Design Museum director Deyan Sudjic said: “It’s oddly appropriate that Second Home, which began life in Brick Lane, has now set up somewhere where there really are people with second homes.”

Italian chef Francesco Mazzei launched his third restaurant Fiume at Battersea Power Station, too. Guests included Henry Conway and Alistair Guy.

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TO QUAGLINO’S yesterday for Women for Women’s She Inspires Me lunch, raising money for female survivors of war. Hardy CNN foreign reporter Clarissa Ward — just off the plane from Bangladesh and six months pregnant — gave an inspiring speech, adding that she’s in fine fettle despite her globetrotting. “It’s safe,” she said, “I got my malaria shots.” Also there was Twilight actress MyAnna Buring and Cherie Lunghi, who has cut off her long hair. “I can’t be bothered any more,” she said.

The Jungle inspires Odell

TOM Odell is getting charitable this Christmas. The London-based singer has been working with Help Refugees for 18 months and is to host a special music event to raise money for the movement.

“I went to Calais last year, to the Jungle, because I wanted to see it with my own eyes and it really shocked me,” Odell, right, tells The Londoner. “You always read about it in newspapers and online and you almost fictionalise it. Going down there made me realise how real it was.”

The Brit Award-winning singer says he’ll be pulling in a few favours to get some other big names on the line-up for the show at the Jazz Café in London on December 14, and may even do his famous cover of John Lennon’s Real Love from the 2014 John Lewis Christmas ad.

“I always skirt around the idea of playing that song live but it will be close enough to Christmas that I’ll forgive myself for it,” he says. That’s the spirit.

Tweet of the Day

Gift of the day: John Lewis — the store — has sent John Lewis the person an early Christmas present to say “thank you for handling wayward tweets” from people who confuse their Twitter accounts. Much deserved.

Darcey’s strictly for afternoon tea

The Borne Wonderland gala, raising funds for research into pre-term birth, was at 8 Northumberland Avenue last night. Gabrielle, inset, performed, while Darcey Bussell raised £5,000 for an invitation to take tea with her at the Royal Opera House. “I’ll spill all Strictly’s secrets,” she teased.