The Londoner: John Humphrys won't get people's vote

What is going on with John Humphrys? The veteran Today presenter flummoxed listeners and political commentators with a bizarre interview with Sir Keir Starmer this morning. He referred to Theresa May’s possible Brexit deal — which appeared to be on the brink of collapse this weekend —saying: “Wouldn’t the patriotic thing be for Labour to support what seems acceptable to a large number of people?” Humphrys then chastised an audibly confused Starmer saying: “You haven’t mentioned a People’s Vote.” Starmer responded: “You haven’t asked me about it.”

“Well, I’m asking you now,” Humphrys hit back.

“What’s the question?” asked Starmer, who is shadow Brexit Secretary.

Humphrys has long been under fire for his cantankerous style and large salary — he is paid between £600,000 and £649,999. A presenter on the Radio 4 show since 1987, he has seen many younger colleagues leave the show while he has carried on.

Journalists have become critical of Humphrys’ approach at such a critical time in British politics: “Listened to Today programme for first time in ages,” said Ian Dunt, editor of politics.co.uk.

“Can’t think of any other British journalist who is more ignorant of Brexit than John Humphrys.” Business Insider’s Adam Payne seized on Humphrys’ interview, sarcastically calling it reporting at its “scintillating best”.

As the interview went on, Starmer became exasperated with Humphrys’ frequent about-turns and non-sequiturs. “We are in the middle of very important negotiations,” Humphrys told Starmer. “It’s surely the responsibility of a responsible Opposition to help rather than hinder, that’s really what I’m asking.”

Listeners were also frustrated. “It’s time for John Humphrys to retire,” said one. “His Brexit related interviews are embarrassing.”

Humphrys did not respond to our request for comment. The BBC said it “stands by its presenters and its impartial independent journalism".

Setting the bar high

Parliament’s Sports and Social Bar reopened last month as The Woolsack. It’s named after the Lord Speaker’s chair but this wasn’t the first choice. According to emails obtained by The Yorkshire Post, other names mooted included the Trumpington Arms, Ping Pong, and The Whip. The association of the Lord Speaker’s dignity with one of Westminster’s rowdier venues has not gone down well.

“I look forward to headlines ‘Woolsack closed after sexual assault claims’,” writes the Commons Clerk David Natzler.

Meanwhile, the bar has earned the nickname The Ballsack.

The Queen known to be in the swing

Psephologist Sir David Butler invented Swing — a way to measure changes in voter support between political parties — which counts among its fans not just election enthusiasts, but the Queen. In a new biography entitled Sultan of Swing, Channel 4’s Michael Crick tells the story of Butler’s knighthood in 2011.

“‘You invented that swingy thing,’ the Queen said just after she placed her sword on his shoulder. ‘More or less,’ replied the now Sir David.

‘And it still works, doesn’t it?’ ‘More or less’.”

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Grayson Perry bemoans the “exhausting” logistics of travelling as “an arty transvestite”. Perry’s alter ego Claire was originally based on a cross between Katie Boyle and Camilla Parker Bowles. “Just took me two and a half hours to pack for a five day-trip,” he says. “The weather/ shoe/romper suit/face jewel permutations need a spreadsheet.”

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David Lammy has revealed he has scoliosis, a condition which affects the curvature of the spine. “Respect, Eugenie,” he wrote on Twitter after the princess wore a wedding dress that showed a scar from her surgeries. “I have scoliosis too. Makes me want to dig out a backless number for the state opening of Parliament.”

Lady Amelia misses the wedding, but bonds with movie royalty in Soho

850 guests attended the royal wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank on Friday. But Lady Amelia Windsor wasn’t one of them. The model, daughter of the Queen’s cousin, is not thought to have received an invitation to the Windsor wedding, but kept busy on Friday evening at a screening of Alfonso Cuaron’s film Roma. Lady Amelia was joined at the Ham Yard Hotel in Soho by Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, who made the news earlier this month for saying that James Bond would never be played by a woman: “Bond is male,” she said. “He’s a male character. He was written as a male and I think he’ll probably stay as a male.”

Lady Amelia will surely be passing on her best wishes to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex today, following the news the couple are expecting a baby. The arrival will bump Amelia from 38th in line to the throne to a paltry 39th.

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Director Sir Richard Eyre and actor Maxine Peake won big at the UK Theatre Awards last night: Eyre won the Gielgud Award for Excellence, with Peake receiving the Outstanding Contribution prize. The ceremony was held at the Guildhall.

SW1A

Jess Phillips is offered an invidious choice — a Norfolk canal boat trip with either Boris Johnson or Jacob Rees-Mogg? “I would pick Jacob any day of the week,” she says, “because I would fear for Boris Johnson’s safety if he was left on a canal boat with me.” Speaking to Stylist’s Women of the House programme, the Labour MP continues: “[Jacob] is who he is and I find that much more appealing than spending a week with someone who’s a fake.”

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Energy Minister Claire Perry made an embarrassing admission on Sky News this morning. Asked by presenter Sarah-Jane Mee what car she drives, she garbled: “I drive a ... well I don’t drive as much ... because basically when I get to London I try and cycle a lot. But I have got a diesel car.” Hmmm. Does she have solar panels? “I don’t have a south-facing roof.” She adds, however: “I’ve got a vegetarian child — so that helps.”