Londoner's Diary: Lost Sir Robert Peel bust a timely tribute to Met Police

Yesterday the London police force exhibited courage in the face of the alarming events in Westminster, and tributes have poured in for those who jumped into action. So it is timely that the boys in blue are preparing to honour their founding father, Sir Robert Peel, with a bust shrouded in mystery.

The opening of the new Metropolitan Police HQ, dubbed New Scotland Yard, was set to take place today, with the Queen in attendance. It has been postponed but when the doors eventually open, staff are set to be greeted with the marble face of Peel, who founded the force in 1829. The bust, was found in Scotland Yard, stashed in a box under the stairs. An investigation shows that it was carved in 1851 after Peel’s death by sculptor Matthew Noble, and it will take pride of place in the new headquarters after an exhaustive restoration process.

“The bust has some basic scuffs and scratches, and some stains formed by residues of prior treatments such as detergents, soaps and coatings,” says Kimberly Reczek, the restorer. “And the nose has a brownish tinge, which is most likely to be ‘handling grease’. People love touching noses. Even when I was conserving it, all the passing policemen kept grabbing his nose.”

Particularly pleased is Harry Mount, the editor of The Oldie and Peel’s great-great-great-great-grandson, who has traced the bust’s history in a blog.

He said: “It’s a great thrill to find that the Peel bust has been rediscovered after the tragic death of PC Keith Palmer. When Peel set up the police almost 190 years ago, I don’t think he could have imagined it would evolve into such an extraordinary, exceptional infstitution.”

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To Pushkin House in Bloomsbury last night for the opening of Alcohol, an exhibition of Soviet-era anti-drinking posters from publisher FUEL. The USSR restricted booze sales from 1985-7, sparking a population boom as drinkers sought other distractions. We asked chef Giorgio Locatelli and artist Tracey Emin if the warnings were working. “No,” they agreed. “Actually, as they are so colourful it’s a bit like taking acid,” said Emin. “Not that I take acid.” Some inspiration for her next work?

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How Lenny Henry built a girl’s chutzpah

Caitlin Moran, journalist and author of How to Build a Girl, has always been confident. “When I was 14, I knew I wanted to be a writer and to do things, and I saw an advert for Comic Relief for a managing director,” she tells Glamour podcast Hey It’s OK. “I was just like ‘I want to work for Comic Relief!’ So I sent a letter off, and two weeks later they sent back a letter saying, ‘Look, you’d hate this job, but here’s a letter from Lenny Henry telling you how amazing he thinks you are’.” Henry’s kind message told her she showed great promise despite, at 14, lacking practical experience in being MD of a multinational charity. Stranger things have happened.

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Quote of the day: 'I'm proud of London and my fellow Londoners. The very worst days like today bring ut the very best in this beautiful city'

Beauty and the Beast actor Luke Evans, celebrates the city's incomparable spirit.

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The Geiger count has just gone up

To Lou Lou’s in Mayfair last night, where model and keen equestrian Edie Campbell suited up and raised a glass to Kurt Geiger, the brand which has recruited her as its new campaign face.

The private dinner of scallops and lollipops brought together guests including Rebecca Farrar-Hockley, Kurt Geiger’s creative director, cookbook queen Melissa Hemsley and model Amber Le Bon. Mary Charteris, meanwhile, exhibited a striking handbag from the new collection. Forget wearing your heart on your sleeve. Wear it a little lower.

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Writer Nicholas Lezard has found a way to make journalism pay. The Idler magazine signed Lezard up as its radio columnist, and he accepted a slap-up meal as recompense. The mag suggested the set menu but Lezard said: “I’ll have 18 rock oysters, a half-pint of prawns, a carafe of red wine, the Aberdeen Angus forerib with potato and rosemary gratin, a double brandy, chocolate St Emilion with extra cream and British cheese,” he said. “And some fizzy water.” A credit to the trade.

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Jacobson awaits the call

Actor Simon Callow and novelist Sally Emerson were at 68 Dean Street last night celebrating the re-launch of Emerson’s 1987 book Fire Child.

Lord Saatchi and James MacManus of The Times Literary Supplement toasted the re-release but talk soon turned to Pussy, a forthcoming novel from Man Booker Prize winner and fellow guest Howard Jacobson.

It’s an allegory concerning a distinctly Donald Trump-like character, written in response to the US election, result and we wondered if the administration had been in touch. “Not yet,” Jacobson said with a smile. “But it isn’t out for three weeks.”

Callow, currently directing a run of The Philanthropist, already has his eye on it: he was begging Jacobson to write him a play version. Jacobson shrugged: “He wants Pussy but it’s not a play.”

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Tweet of the day: “Off to work as usual, like millions of Londoners #WeAreNotAfraid”

Labour MP Diane Abbott prepares for a day of business as usual.

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Love all around for mums

Actress Sadie Frost is ready for Mother’s Day, posing with daughter Iris Law for charity Help Refugees, in fundraising T-shirts for sale online. “I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by strong, loving women,” Frost tells us. “It’s at times like these that I feel for the refugee women I met in the camps in Greece.”

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Prize of the day: Chelsea Clinton will be honoured with an Impact Award by Variety for her humanitarian work. The ceremony will be days after The Clinton Global Initiative shuts down. Awkward.

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