Sleaze watchdog ‘toothless’ after Matt Hancock’s jungle antics, says chair

Lord Pickles has described his own committee as “toothless” after Matt Hancock went to the celebrity jungle without asking for his permission.

Lord Pickles chairs the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA), which is meant to vet the jobs former ministers take after leaving office. But the committee lacks enforcement powers and is “badly in need of reform”, writes Lord Pickles in The House magazine. When the ex-Health Secretary entered the jungle without consulting ACOBA, Lord Pickles wrote to him demanding an explanation.

And it’s not just his antics that have Lord Pickles worried about the “ever-present risk of another scandal”. He expects a “wave” of job applications from former ministers left on the scrap- heap after the fall of two prime ministers this year, which will no doubt leave the committee in a pickle.

Will the bells keep tolling?

As Big Ben rang out on Remembrance Sunday for the first time in three years, there was good news for the troubled Whitechapel Bell Foundry, where the bell was cast. It’s been tipped for sale or conversion into a hotel but on Friday a not-for-profit sworn to “ensure the tradition of bell -founding continues in this country” made an offer to take it over. Plans include casting the “Elizabeth Bell”, a commemoration of the late Queen’s 70-year reign.

Rising prices are no yolk

Did inflation influence Sandi Toksvig’s decision to leave Great British Bake Off? We only ask because Sandi has some firm views on the spiralling price of baking ingredients. Commenting on the young agitator in York who tried to pelt the King with eggs last week, she said: “I can only think he came from a very wealthy family, because eggs are now very expensive in supermarkets!”

Hitchcock knew how to charm them

Maverick director Alfred Hitchcock earned a reputation for off-colour behaviour on set but he still has his supporters. On Saturday, playwright David Hare defended Hitchcock’s reputation on a BFI panel, labelling “biographies where he’s represented as sexist and sinister” as “ridiculous.” He recalled one “magical afternoon” with Hitchcock and said “a more charming man you could not wish to meet.”

Designer class comes to Soho

Londoner’s Diary 14th November

Jourdan Dunn, once a campaign model for Kate Spade, posed at the late designer’s Holiday Pop-up in Soho on Friday night. Over in Mayfair, Helena Bonham Carter attended a screening of the documentary Three Minutes: A Lengthening at the Jewish Film Festival and Black Panther star Letitia Wright hosted Flannels Presents at the brand’s flagship store. Actor Nicholas Pinnock was there too in a well-cut suit. Last night, Nick Grimshaw and Lottie Moss were seen at the launch of MJB X Overwatch held at Selfridges.