da i ly n e ws pa p e r of t h e y e a r

OF LONDON
thursday september 12 2019 | thetimes.co.uk | no 72950 €4.50

Why Friends matters

Polly Vernon on The One That Never Left Us Pages 44-45
Mike Atherton
What England
must do now
Sport, pages 62-63

PM blocks Iran detained

travellers for
key memos ‘flying drone
near capital’
on shutting Lucy Fisher Defence Correspondent
Bernard Lagan Sydney
The British-Australian woman and her
boyfriend detained in Iran since July

Commons
6 Scottish court rules proroguing was unlawful
6 No-deal papers suggest risk to crucial supplies
Chris Smyth, Jonathan Ames
Francis Elliott, Kate Devlin
Boris Johnson last night defied MPs’
orders to publish private messages on
proroguing parliament only hours after
a court ruled the shutdown was illegal.
The prime minister rejected the
demand by the Commons to see
advisers’ communications, branding
it “unprecedented, inappropriate and
disproportionate”. He added that MPs
were to blame for the “real failure of
democracy” because the result of the
EU referendum had not been honoured.
Downing Street published planning
documents yesterday confirming that
Britain could run short of fresh food,
fuel and medicines after a no-deal . The
secret analysis, entitled Operation
Yellowhammer, was demanded by
MPs after The Sunday Times published
extensive leaked details last month.
The documents show that No 10 fears
at least three months of border delays.
A dramatic day began with the Court
of Session in Edinburgh ruling that Mr
Johnson’s five-week shutdown of par-
liament was illegal. There was a furious
row when an unnamed official cast doubt
on the fairness of the Scottish courts
and, after No 10 attempted to roll back,
Kwasi Kwarteng, the business minister,
said: “Leave voters are beginning to
question the impartiality of judges.”
Joanna Cherry, the Scottish National
Party MP who brought the legal
challenge, branded his comments
disgraceful. She writes in The Times
Red Box today that questioning the
courts is “the kind of behaviour one
would expect in a dictatorship”.
Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit
were identified yesterday as travel
bloggers who were apparently arrested
for flying a drone without a licence.
Jolie King, a building designer, and
Mark Firkin, an Australian construc-
tion manager, were named by an Iran-
ian broadcaster. The couple had been
documenting their globe-trotting ad-
venture online since leaving their home
in Western Australia in summer 2017.
The Times revealed yesterday that
secretary, said that the comment the couple were arrested about ten
was “as disgraceful as it is pathetic”. weeks ago and that a second British-
Ministers claim that prorogation is Australian woman had been detained
necessary to prepare for legislation on separately. The editor of Manoto TV, a
domestic priorities but opposition MPs Persian-language broadcaster based in
believe it a ruse designed to stop parlia- London, then published the names of
ment from preventing a no-deal Brexit the travel bloggers on Twitter. Pouria
on October 31. They demanded last Zeraati said a source had told him that
week that the government hand over they had been arrested “for flying a
all internal messages on the decision. drone near the capital, Tehran”.
In a letter last night to Dominic “The family says this was a misunder-
Grieve, the former Conservative MP standing and Jolie King and her fiancé,
who brought the motion, Michael Mark Firkin, were unaware of the Iran-
Gove, who is in charge of no-deal plan- ian law which bans drone flights with-
ning, said the demand “goes far beyond out a licence,” he said, adding that their
any reasonable right of parliament”. trial had not been held. The couple had
Mr Grieve said that he deplored the often used a drone to film their travels.
refusal to hand over emails, texts and Ms King was told by the Iranian
WhatsApp messages from Dominic authorities that she was being detained
Cummings, Boris Johnson’s chief aide, in hope of a prisoner swap, a source told
and eight other Downing Street aides. The Times. While Iran has not publicly
The former justice secretary David commented on the case, it made clear in
Gauke said: “The failure to comply with April that it wanted to retrieve an Iran-
the motion will further fuel suspicions ian woman detained in the US. Boris
that there are documents that contradict Johnson and Dominic Raab, the foreign
the government’s claim that its proro- secretary, are expected to confront Iran
gation had nothing to do with Brexit.” over its detention of Britons at a UN
Gina Miller, the anti-Brexit cam- meeting in New York this month.
paigner who failed in a separate at- Couple’s prison ordeal, page 11
tempt in an English court to stop proro- Leading article, page 27
gation, said the refusal “speaks volumes
about what they are attempting to hide Buying The Times: Austria €4.80; Belgium €4.50;
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not a matter for judges. The Supreme
Court will make a final decision on
Tuesday. This could lead to the Com-
mons being recalled. Labour has written
to Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the Com-
mons, asking for immediate recall.
Politics, pages 6-9
Leading article, page 27
The British-Australian woman and her boyfriend detained in Iran have been named
as Jolie King and Mark Firkin. They had been documenting their travels in a blog
y(7HB7E2*OTSQOQ( |||+%!_

IN THE NEWS
Obesity risk to young Sexism case victory Oxford first again Trump talks closer Battle for £32bn deal Zaha dumps agent
Nearly four in ten children Stacey Macken, a City banker, Oxford University has come The departure of John Bolton A £32 billion takeover move The Crystal Palace player
aged ten or eleven will be has won a claim for sexual first in the Times Higher as US national security for London Stock Exchange Wilfried Zaha has told his
overweight or obese by 2024, discrimination against BNP Education world rankings for adviser has helped to clear the Group by its Hong Kong rival agent that he wants to end
Public Health England said, Paribas. One boss repeatedly the fourth year in a row, but way for President Trump to was met with scepticism amid their contract after failing to
raising their risk of serious belittled her by saying: “Not Britain’s standing is threatened meet President Rouhani of expectations that regulators secure a transfer from the club
illness as adults. Page 4 now, Stacey.” Page 5 by Germany and Japan. Page 10 Iran this month. Page 28 would prevent it. Page 35 over the summer. Page 64
2 FGM Thursday September 12 2019 | the times

News
B R I TA I N ’ S M O S T T R U S T E D
N AT I O N A L N E W S PA P E R
T O D AY ’ S E D I T I O N
We won’t let Farage anywhere
NEWS NEWS
near government, say Tories
Kate Devlin tics” when the focus should be on deliv- seats that the Conservatives must take
Chief Political Correspondent ering Brexit. to win the next election, Mr Farage
Earlier Mr Farage, whose party won said, as he predicted that it could give
Allies of the prime minister attacked the most seats at the European parlia- the Tories a Commons majority of 60
Nigel Farage yesterday and said that he ment election in May, had stepped up to 100 seats.
should never be allowed “anywhere the pressure on Mr Johnson to agree a In return Mr Farage would demand
near government” as Boris Johnson pact and set out his terms. that his party had a clear run in several
appeared to kill off the Brexit Party In an appeal over the Tory leader’s Leave-voting seats where the Brexit
leader’s hopes of an electoral pact. head to rank-and-file MPs, Mr Farage Party topped the polls in May and
BACK FROM THE BRINK SECOND CHANCE A senior Conservative source added offered not to stand candidates against where the sitting Labour MP backs
that Mr Farage, the former Ukip leader, Tories who pledged to vote against any Remain. The Brexit Party’s focus is on
The northern white rhino is A Botticelli portrait is up for sale was not a “fit and proper” person. Brexit agreement with Brussels that areas in South Wales, the Midlands and
closer to being saved after the a century after the British dealer Mr Farage had told the prime minis- tweaked Theresa May’s deal. He said: parts of the north of England. Chal-
creation of two viable embryos Joseph Duveen failed to buy it ter that the Brexit Party could be his “It’s very easy, we don’t have to oppose lenged that this included seats that ap-
PAGE 17 PAGE 21 best friend or his worst enemy and that them, they just have to say they won’t peared to be on Mr Johnson’s target list,
the Conservatives would lose a general vote for the withdrawal agreement.” he said: “If Boris thinks he can win in
election if he rejected a “non-aggres- Mr Farage also said that as well as those seats, I don’t know what he is
sion” agreement. standing aside, his party could endorse smoking but I would like some of it. It
SPORT TIMES2 However, a spokesman for the prime and campaign for the 28 “Spartan” just is not going to happen.”
minister said: “The PM will not be Conservative MPs who had voted The Brexit Party is also stepping up
doing a deal with Nigel Farage.” against Mrs May’s Brexit deal. its preparations for a second EU refer-
The “not a fit and proper person” He said that the price of any electoral endum. The party has applied to hold a
charge was also levelled by the senior pact would be a no-deal Brexit, which rally in Parliament Square on October
Conservative source at Arron Banks, his party describes as a “clean” break 31, the date Mr Johnson has said that
the millionaire former Ukip donor who with the EU. Britain will leave the EU “do or die”.
is being investigated by the National He claimed that Brexit Party polling This morning the party paid for a full
Crime Agency. Mr Farage has always in some constituencies revealed that wraparound advert in the Daily
denied that Mr Banks is involved with his recommendation could switch the Express. With no election having been
BATSMAN AXED THE AFRICAN QUEEN the Brexit Party. votes of 67 per cent of Leave voters. called, the cost would not count to-
Mr Farage criticised the comments A pact offered a “massive” opportu- wards strict electoral spending limits.
England have dropped the The author Alexandra Fuller as “intemperate” and “petty party poli- nity for Mr Johnson in key marginal Politics, pages 6-9
former opener Jason Roy for has written another
the final Test of the Ashes unflinching memoir
PAGE 64 PAGES 46-47
£1.3bn deal to underpin ‘Chumocracy’
The sacking of John Bolton clears the way for
COMMENT
shipbuilding renaissance claim over job
President Trump to meet sworn enemies of the US Henry Zeffman Political Correspondent will see a renaissance in this industry
for Goldsmith
GERARD BAKER, PAGE 25 which is so much part of our island
Boris Johnson aims to “bring shipbuild- story — so let’s bring shipbuilding Francis Elliott, Kate Devlin
ing home” and is to name his defence home.”
BA monopoly Star’s defiance US cracks down secretary as “shipbuilding tsar”. He will appoint Ben Wallace as the Boris Johnson’s promotion of Zac Gold-
The prime minister will make the shipbuilding tsar, to investigate how smith to a role attending cabinet has led
‘raises prices’ over ‘racist’ hit on e-cigarettes pledge today as he prepares to an- ministers can use further education, to accusations of a “chumocracy”.
A British Airways Madeline Bell, 77, the The Trump nounce the preferred bidder for a apprentices and graduates to secure a A mini reshuffle followed the resig-
monopoly on flights at lead singer of the administration plans to £1.3 billion fleet of Royal Navy frigates. thriving shipbuilding industry around nations of Jo Johnson and Amber Rudd.
Heathrow is probably Sixties pop group Blue ban all non-tobacco The government will buy at least five the country. The prime minister’s brother was uni-
increasing the costs for Mink, has vowed to flavoured e-cigarette of the low-cost Type 31 warships for the Trade unions struck a sceptical note, versities minister before he quit last
passengers by up to continue performing products amid alarm navy, with the first expected to be ready calling on the government to guarantee week in what he said was the national
10 per cent, a study their single Melting Pot over more than 450 by 2023. It also hopes to export the frig- that all future Royal Navy and Royal interest.
has said. The research despite a ruling by cases of lung disease ates to governments around the world. Fleet Auxiliary ships would be built in His replacement, Chris Skidmore,
was commissioned by Ofcom the media linked to vaping that The ships will be built in the UK, with UK shipyards. has not been given the equivalent “at-
the rival airline regulator, that the have been reported in different elements made and assem- Tim Roache, the general secretary of tending cabinet” rank. That honour
Virgin Atlantic. Page 18 lyrics are racist. Page 21 recent months. Page 31 bled at various British shipyards. the GMB, said: “All work for our strug- was handed to Mr Goldsmith who first
Mr Johnson is due to say: “The UK is gling yards is welcome but this parti- became a minister in July. The Rich-
COMMENT 23 BUSINESS 35 MINDGAMES 50
an outward-looking island nation, and cular order was always reserved for the mond Park MP, a long-standing friend
LEADING ARTICLES 27 REGISTER 42 SPORT 53
we need a shipbuilding industry and UK. If ministers are serious about and ally of Mr Johnson as well as his
WORLD 28 TV & RADIO 48 CROSSWORD 64
Royal Navy that reflect the importance saving jobs and skills in this country partner Carrie Symonds, is now a min-
of the seas to our security and prosperi- then they must also keep the £1.5 billion ister of state for environment and inter-
FOLLOW US ty. This is an industry with a deep and fleet solid support contract with our national development.
thetimes timesandsundaytimes thetimes visceral connection to so many parts of yards, instead of punting that vital work Critics said the rapid promotion was
the UK and to the Union itself. overseas.” both unmerited and baffling. “This just
“My government will do all it can to Liz Truss, the international trade sec- reeks of chumocracy,” said one dis-
develop this aspect of our heritage and retary, promised to sell the new frigates mayed Johnson ally who said that Mr
the men and women who make up its around the world. She said: “Countries Goldsmith would use his new role to
workforce. I look forward to the restor- are modernising their fleets to safe- promote pet environmental causes.
ation of British influence and excel- guard against 21st-century threats and In the same shake-up, Liz Truss, the
lence across the world’s oceans. I am British-built vessels and maritime tech- international trade secretary, was also
convinced that by working together we nology are in high demand.” given the women and equalities brief.

Chief whip opens door for rebels to return

Francis Elliott Political Editor
Several Tory rebels expelled by Boris
Johnson for voting for legislation that
blocks a no-deal Brexit on October 31
have been invited to apply to rejoin the
party.
Please note, some sections of The Times are available only in the United Kingdom and Ireland
© TIMES NEWSPAPERS LIMITED, 2019. Published and licensed for distribution in electronic and all other derivative forms by Times Newspapers Ltd, 1 London Bridge In a move that could pave the way for
Street, London, SE1 9GF, telephone 020-7782 5000. Printed by Newsprinters (Broxbourne) Limited, Great Cambridge Road, Waltham Cross, EN8 8DY and also at a climbdown, Mark Spencer, the chief
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according to his allies.
020-7782 5400, e-mail syndication@thetimes.co.uk Mr Spencer warned the rebels that he
has sole discretion about whether to
allow an appeal against their expulsion.
He also insisted that the original deci-
sion was justified to restore discipline:
“For too long the Conservative govern-
ment has been hampered by those who
believe that the normal rules of party
politics do not apply to them.”
Crucially Mr Spencer has not set a
deadline by which the rebels must write
to him asking for the whip to be
restored. That, and his insistence that
his “door remains open”, is being inter-
preted as an effort to provide a route
back before the next election.
A complex and so far unused process
was agreed by David Cameron in 2006
that allow MPs stripped of the whip just
before an election the right of appeal to
prevent them being automatically
barred from standing as Tory candi-
dates.
One MP said that they were un-
moved by Mr Spencer’s offer: “It’s very
good of Boris to set out just how damag-
ing his behaviour and that of most of
the members of his cabinet was to the
proper functioning of the Conservative
government — I’m just not sure why I
should pay the price for it.”
At least one rebel has indicated they
intend to appeal.
the times | Thursday September 12 2019
It’s one in the eye for Colman’s queen
Matthew Moore Media Correspondent
From Charlize Theron using prosthetic
teeth to play a serial killer in Monster, to
Eddie Murphy’s fat suit in The Nutty
Professor, actors have long embraced
elaborate physical transformations.
But recreating the features of two of the
most recognisable living Britons posed
unique challenges for The Crown,
Netflix’s saga about the royal family.
Olivia Colman, who plays the Queen
in the imminent third series, has dis-
closed new details of the lengths to
which producers went to ensure that
art accurately imitated life.
The key challenges? Matching
the Queen’s piercing blue eyes and
the Duke of Edinburgh’s receding
hairline.
Colman, 45, who has brown eyes,
was initially asked to wear blue
contact lenses to emulate both
the Queen and Claire Foy, who
played the young Elizabeth in the
first two series. But the Oscar-
winning actress did not take to the
lenses, blaming her “very strong” eye-
lids. “It was basically like an exorcism,
‘Just hold me down and thrust
it in,” she told Vogue of her daily
ordeal.
Ultimately the contact lens
plan was ditched, along with
a wheeze to alter her eyes
digitally in post-produc-
tion. “It didn’t feel like
her. CGI-ing her eyes
seemed to diminish
what she was doing,”
Ben Caron, who dir-
ects four of the epi-
sodes, said.
The make-up team
were also given the task
of ensuring an accurate
portrayal of the so-called
curse of the Windsors:
premature baldness. Spe-
cifically, they had to
transform Tobias
Menzies, 45, an actor
with a relatively full
head of hair, into a
Prince Philip of the
1970s.
Menzies, who re-
placed Matt Smith
in the role, had the
top of his head
cropped to mimic
the duke’s retreating
hairline. “That’s com-
mitment, isn’t it?” Col-
man told the maga-
zine. “Because he’s got
Earth-like planet has water and climate to host life
Rhys Blakely Science Correspondent
Scientists have found a distant “super-
Earth” with water and temperatures
that could sustain life, giving the hunt
for extraterrestrials a sharp new focus.
The planet, known as K2-18 b, lies in
the constellation of Leo some 110 light
years away. It is the only world, other
than ours, known to have water
and to orbit its host star in a so-called
habitable zone.
“It is a prime candidate for life,” Dr
Ingo Waldmann of University College
London, a co-author of a paper pub-
lished in Nature Astronomy, said.
The planet has a mass about eight
times that of Earth and about one and
a half times its pull of gravity. With an
average temperature of 40C, its path
around its star places it in a kind of
“Goldilocks” region where liquid water
— and hence life — may exist.
FGM
A second team of researchers, led by
Bjorn Benneke of the University of
Montreal, confirmed the results. “The
planet’s predicted temperature pro-
vides the right conditions for liquid
water and complex organic molecules,
a condition generally regarded as nec-
essary for the existence of life as we
know it,” they wrote.
The find opens a new chapter in the
exploration of exoplanets, those worlds
that orbit stars other than the Sun. The
planet is a so-called super-Earth, which
has a mass higher than Earth’s but far
smaller than those of our solar system’s
ice giants, Uranus and Neptune.
About 4,000 exoplanets have been
detected with super-Earths being the
most abundant. K2-18 b is also orbiting
the most common type of star, a rela-
tively cool red dwarf.
Nikku Madhusudhan of Cambridge
University, who was not involved in the
to go to Sainsbury’s with a slightly
shaved head.”
Colman has admitted listening
to Radio 4’s Shipping Forecast
through an earpiece while
filming emotional scenes of
The Crown, to stay com-
posed and hold back
tears.
She also watched
hours of archive
footage to pre-
pare for the role
but occasion-
ally strug-
gled to get
studies, now expects dozens more
potentially habitable super-Earths to
be discovered. “We are at the beginning
of a new era,” he said.
With its atmospheric water content
estimated at between 0.1 and 50 per
cent, K2-18 b may be arid, having a large
atmosphere with tiny traces of moisture.
“It could also be the other extreme: an
ocean world, the entire surface covered
with water,” Dr Waldmann said.
Other possibilities include a kind of
mini-Neptune, with a rocky core
encased in ice. Alternatively, a thick,
water-rich atmosphere might have
given rise to a runaway greenhouse
effect, similar to Venus, David Arm-
strong, an exoplanet expert at Warwick
University, said. High levels of UV radia-
tion may make it a hostile environment.
The water was detected using data
gathered by the Hubble space telescope.
The next steps are likely to involve the
SOPHIE MUTEVELIAN; ROBERT VIGLASKY/NETFLIX
Olivia Colman hated
lenses so kept her
brown eyes to play
the Queen, above
right, in The Crown.
Claire Foy, left, had
no such problem
the movements right. Directors cor-
rected her missteps with shouts of
“Queen, not farmer”.
Colman, who won her Oscar for play-
ing Queen Anne in The Favourite told
the magazine of her admiration for the
present Queen’s sense of duty. “It’s easy
to just go, ‘Well, how hard can being the
Queen be?” she said. “I think it’s really
hard. You can’t just go, ‘I don’t want to
do it today’. ”
The actress also discussed how the
body image anxieties of her youth had
eased. “Over the years, pounds have
gone on and my body has changed, I’ve
had children,” she said. “If someone
Earth and K2-18 b compared
Earth and K2-18 b compared
Gravity: 1.5G (Earth is 1G)
Average temp: 40C (Earth is 15C)
Distance from earth: 110 light years.
Planets
Mars,
to scaleat its closest, is four light
minutes away
Gravity: 1.5G (Earth is 1G)
Average temp: 40C (Earth is 15C)
Distance from earth: 110 light
years. Mars, at its closest, is four
light minutes away
James Webb space telescope, a $10 bil-
lion space observatory due to be
launched in two years, which will be far
more powerful than Hubble. Scientists
3
News
Changing faces
Tilda Swinton The British actress
created a fake identity and wore
intimate prosthetics to play an
82-year-old man in the 2018 horror
film Suspiria. Luca Guadagnino, the
director, claimed the part was
played by an octogenarian first-time
actor called Lutz Ebersdorf, before
admitting the hoax.
Nicole Kidman The actress was
almost unrecognisable as the
detective Erin Bell in Destroyer,
released this year. Facial prosthetics
and make-up transformed her into a
pain-ravaged alcoholic. She is also
remembered for wearing a large
fake nose as Virginia Woolf inThe
Hours.
Charlize Theron Won the best
actress Oscar in 2004 for her
portrayal of the serial killer Aileen
Wuornos in Monster. She binged on
doughnuts and crisps to put on
30lbs, let her hair go greasy and
wore crooked prosthetic teeth.
Helena Bonham Carter In perhaps
not her most critically acclaimed
role, the twice Oscar-nominated
actress became an ape for Tim
Burton’s remake of Planet of the
Apes in 2001. She played Ari, a
female chimpanzee who protests at
the way humans are treated,
echoing the feelings of many critics
who worried about audiences
having to sit through the film.
doesn’t like me because of the size of my
bum, they can f*** off. Because I’m
quite a nice person to be with, actually.”
The new series of The Crown is re-
leased by Netflix on November 17,
covering the period between Harold
Wilson’s election as prime minister in
1964 and the silver jubilee of 1977.
Helena Bonham Carter plays Prin-
cess Margaret, with Charles Dance as
Lord Mountbatten and Josh O’Connor
as Prince Charles. The Crown is said to
have a budget of £50 million per series
and is scheduled to run for six seasons,
taking the story of the royal family up to
the present day.
will look for methane, oxygen and
ozone, the hallmarks of life.
Detecting water on K2-18 b stretched
the Hubble telescope to its limits. Exo-
planets are spotted by measuring how
the light of the star that they orbit dips
as they pass between it and the Earth.
Light that travels through the exo-
planet’s atmosphere is then analysed to
determine its composition.
“Only one in 100,000 photons from
that star actually goes through the
planet’s atmosphere. That photon has
to travel 110 light years and go through
the Hubble detector — and then you
have to dig it out of the background
noise,” said Dr Waldmann.
“There’s a nice analogy: it’s as if you
have a searchlight in New York and you
observe it from London. If there’s a
mosquito flying across the face of the
light, what we’re trying to do is to figure
out the colour of its wings.”
4 FGM
News
Animal crackers A nosy quokka, a laughing snowy owl and a shy bear are among the finalists up for the 2019 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards in November
40% of children on way to
obesity within five years
Rosie Taylor
Nearly four in ten children will be over-
weight or obese by 2024, health officials
have said.
The proportion of children aged ten
and eleven who are an unhealthy
weight when they leave primary school
is predicted to rise by 11 per cent within
the next five years, from 34.3 per cent to
38.1 per cent. Overweight children are
more likely to be obese as adults, which
raises the risk of serious health condi-
tions including cancer.
Fatter children are also more likely to
be bullied, miss school and have other
health problems, experts have said. The
figures, revealed in Public Health Eng-
land’s Health Profile for England 2019
report, which provides an overview of
the nation’s health, showed that child-
ren in deprived areas were twice as like-
ly to be overweight or obese as those in
the most affluent areas.
Speaking at PHE’s annual confer-
ence at Warwick University, John New-
ton, director of health improvement,
said: “We are particularly concerned
about child obesity because we know
that child obesity predicts adult obesity,
Britain has lowest survival rates for common cancers
Rosie Taylor
Patients are less likely to survive com-
mon cancers in the UK than in other
high-income countries, a study has
shown.
The UK was ranked bottom for five out
of seven cancers: oesophageal, stom-
ach, bowel, rectal, pancreatic, lung and
ovarian. Cancer Research UK, which
Big problem
Percentage of 10-11 year olds
obese or overweight 40%
37.5
35
Forecast
32.5
Source: Public Health England
30
2010-11 15-16 19-20 24-25
and adult obesity leads to a range of
poor health outcomes: diabetes, heart
disease, musculoskeletal conditions.”
He said: “The evidence is that if we
can intervene in childhood that will
lead to healthier adults,” adding it was
important that health officials and gov-
ernment pursued “the interventions
that we know will make a difference”.
The government’s Prevention green
paper, published in July, suggested
strategies for reducing childhood obe-
sity including widening the sugar tax on
drinks, lowering salt content of foods
and introducing stricter rules on adver-
tising junk food to children. But ques-
managed the research, said the govern-
ment must bring in more NHS staff to
ensure cancers are not diagnosed late.
The NHS said that the study, pub-
lished today in The Lancet Oncology,
was based on “out of date data”.
The study looked at 3.9 million cases
in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ire-
land, New Zealand, Norway and the
UK. It found that one-year and five-
JAMES VODICKA; VICKI JAURON; VALTTERI MULKAHAINEN/COMEDY WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS
tions were raised about whether the
proposed measures would be imple-
mented after Boris Johnson promised a
review of “sin taxes” before he became
prime minister.
Yesterday, Professor Newton said
that health officials wanted the green
paper’s proposals put in place and that
the sugar tax had been “very effective”.
“There’s good evidence industry has
engaged and we believe large numbers
of calories have been taken out of the
national diet — this is bound to be ben-
eficial. But we recognise there is more
to be done,” he added.
Tam Fry, from the National Obesity
Forum, said: “The rise in obesity rates
comes as no surprise whatsoever, noth-
ing has been done of any consequence
to mitigate obesity apart from the sug-
ary drinks levy.”
The report showed that 28.7 per cent
of adults were obese, higher than the
forecast rate of 26.4 per cent, and that
this could rise to 33.9 per cent by 2024.
The report also showed there had
been good progress in reducing rates of
teenage pregnancy, smoking during
pregnancy and new cases of tuberculo-
sis and HIV.
year survival rates had improved in the
UK for all seven cancers from 1995 to
2014 but that the country had not
caught up.
Between 2010 and 2014, the UK had
the lowest five-year survival rate for
stomach cancer, at 20.8 per cent,
against Australia which ranked highest
at 32.8 per cent. For bowel cancer,
70.8 per cent of patients in Australia
Thursday September 12 2019 | the times
Quintagram® No 479
Solve all five clues using each
letter underneath once only
1 General apparatus (4)
----
2 Larger than expected (6)
------
3 Grasp (6)
------
4 Fatigue, tire (7)
-------
5 Dismantle (4,5)
---------
A A A A A B C C
E E E E G H H K
L M P P R R R S
T T T T U U U X
Solutions MindGames, page 51
Cryptic clues every day online
Baby thrown in river
A man has been arrested after a
baby died having been thrown
into the Irwell River from a
bridge in Radcliffe, Greater
Manchester, in the afternoon.
The boy, believed to be almost
12 months old, was recovered
from the water by firefighters and
taken to hospital but died a short
time later. A 22-year-old man was
arrested on suspicion of murder
and remained in custody, Greater
Manchester police said.
Unconfirmed reports said that he
was found in a nearby pub.
Self-harm image ban
Teenager died
after a diet
Facebook will no longer allow
graphic images of people cutting
themselves amid criticism that it
of takeaways
has failed to do enough to protect
vulnerable users. It follows a
similar move by Instagram, which
was criticised after Molly Russell,
14, viewed such images before she
Jonathan Paige committed suicide. Facebook
announced the change on World
A mother called her obese 13-year-old Suicide Day on Tuesday.
child a “doughnut”, stopped them exer-
cising and fed them takeaways before Hiker dies in Greece
they died from a heart condition, a case
review disclosed yesterday. The body of Robert Fromer, 26, a
Before their death in April 2015, the British tourist, has been found in
child had been obese for more than a a rocky ravine in the Zagori
decade and was consuming more than region of northwest Greece. He
2,000 calories before lunch. went missing on Sunday after
The child was refused a heart trans- setting off alone on a hike. A
plant because of their weight and dete- police spokeswoman said it was
riorating condition and the mother was not uncommon for hikers to slip
said to have been hostile and aggressive and fall in the area. His father
to staff in the hospital. The report said raised the alarm after Mr Fromer
that the child’s mother refused to pro- failed to answer his phone.
vide them with a PE kit, falsely claiming
that they could not take part because of Don fights retirement
health problems and disabilities.
The review found that the authorities A former physics professor at
had done little to intervene, describing Oxford University is seeking his
the failure as “professional paralysis”, post back after being dismissed
despite concerns raised by GPs, the because he was almost 70, the
school nurse, a nutritionist and a Times Higher Education website
weight management service. has reported. Paul Ewart is the
Criminal inquiries were started after latest academic to challenge rules
the child died but no action was taken. introduced in 2011 to prevent
The report gave recommendations for staff working beyond the age of
agencies to prevent more such deaths. 67. His employment tribunal case
continues.
Studies in Harry Potter
Academics from around the
lived for at least five years; the UK had world will meet next month to
the lowest rate at 58.9 per cent. discuss theories inspired by
John Butler, a co-author, said: “For Harry Potter. Researchers
lung, ovarian, and oesophageal cancer, inspired by JK Rowling’s boy
survival has increased because surgery magician will meet in
has radically improved.” Philadelphia, the Times Higher
The government said more recent Education website said. The
data showed that one-year survival annual event, organised by two
rates for all cancers were at an all-time chemists, is in its eighth year but
high in England. just starting to gain recognition.
the times | Thursday September 12 2019
‘Not now, Stacey!’
Banker belittled
by colleagues wins
£4m sexism case
Will Humphries
A City banker who was repeatedly told
“not now, Stacey” and had a witch’s hat
left on her desk by drunken male
colleagues has won a claim for sexual
discrimination.
Stacey Macken took the French bank
BNP Paribas to the Central London
employment tribunal after being belit-
tled by a boss who kept telling her “not
now, Stacey” — a phrase he used so of-
ten that colleagues commented on it.
Ms Macken, who earned £120,000 a
year, claimed that over a four-year
period she received hundreds of thou-
sands of pounds less than than her male
peers in salary and bonuses. After she
Stacey Macken
said the tribunal
ruling was a
victory for women
complained, managers at the bank dir-
ected further unfair treatment at her.
Ms Macken used her savings and a
loan to fund her three-year legal battle,
claiming more than £4 million in com-
pensation and back pay. The size of her
award has yet to be determined.
“This is a major victory for women
and proves that pay discrimination is
occurring in the banking industry,” Ms
Macken said yesterday.
Ms Macken, previously a vice-presi-
dent at Deutsche Bank, was hired by
BNP Paribas in 2013. A male recruit
hired with the same job title and re-
sponsibilities was being paid £160,000.
Within months of joining, she
claimed she was exposed to sexist be-
haviour involving one of her bosses,
Matt Pinnock, in the prime brokerage
Schumacher is conscious,
says Paris hospital worker
Adam Sage Paris
A member of the medical staff at the
hospital in Paris where Michael
Schumacher was admitted this week
has told colleagues that he is conscious,
according to a French newspaper.
The seven-time Formula One cham-
pion suffered severe head injuries in a
skiing accident in the French Alps in
2013. He was taken to the Georges-
Pompidou on Monday, the third time
he has been treated there this year.
Schumacher, 50, was reported by Le
Parisien to have been placed under the
supervision of Philippe Menasché, 69, a
surgeon responsible for pioneering
research into the treatment of heart
disease through the use of stem cells.
Schumacher’s wife, Corinna, 50, has
consistently declined to divulge details
of his status or comment on speculation
that he has been in a persistent vegeta-
tive state since emerging from a six-
month coma after the accident.
Le Parisien said that an employee in
the cardiology department had told a
colleague: “Yes, he is in my department.
And I can assure you he is conscious.”
FGM 5
News
TOM MADDICK/SWNS
team. Georgina Chapman, his former
personal assistant, told a tribunal: “In
October 2013, a large Halloween-style
black witch’s hat was left on Stacey Missing the boat The National Trust returned punting to the Witham at Belton House, Lincolnshire, after more than a century
Macken’s desk after some of the prime
brokerage team, including Matthew
Pinnock, had gone drinking. Stacey was
visibly upset and confided in me that
she felt really uncomfortable working
with those male colleagues.”
Another boss, Denis Pihan, was ac-
cused of routinely demeaning her by
replying “not now, Stacey” when she
tried to talk to him. “He did it so often
that her colleagues made sarcastic com-
ments about it,” the tribunal was told.
Ms Macken made repeated internal
complaints about her treatment and fi-
nally took the bank to the tribunal in
April this year. It heard that in her first
four years her male peer was paid more
than £167,000 in bonuses compared
with the £33,000 she received.
The tribunal ruled in her favour re-
lating to claims of unequal pay, sex dis-
crimination and victimisation. Her
claims of harassment were dismissed.
The judgment said that Ms Mackey,
who is in her late forties and from Ful-
ham, west London, had been the victim
of unfair treatment because she was a
woman. The tribunal also found that
once she began to complain about her
treatment she was subject to victimisa-
tion by her managers.
Ms Macken said: “I want to see BNP
Paribas change and improve as a result
of this.”
Sam Smethers, of the Fawcett
Society, which runs the free Equal Pay
Advice Service for women earning
under £30,000, said: “Most women do
not have the information they need or
the resources to bring an equal pay
claim and it can take years to win a legal
battle. The law is not working for
women and it needs to change.”
Patients in a vegetative state can give a
misleading impression of conscious-
ness, with their eyes open and moving.
The newspaper said that Schuma-
cher had received injections of secreto-
me, which has been described by Pro-
fessor Menasché as a “stem-cell juice”
that he uses to try to repair the heart.
The report said that it was unclear what
the injections were targeting. There is
no proof that stem-cell treatment could
treat Schumacher’s brain injuries.
Denis Angoulvant, a cardiologist at
Tours University Hospital in central
France, said: “Work on cell therapy is
not only of interest to the heart. Our
colleagues who work on brain and bone
marrow lesions . . . have the hope of re-
generating this nervous tissue. Cell
therapy work has shown that injected
cells have effects, notably anti-infla-
mmatory, that are quite beneficial.”
Le Parisien said that Schumacher was
due to leave hospital yesterday to
return to his home in Gland,
Switzerland, where he has lived with
nursing care since the accident. The
Georges-Pompidou said that it would
neither confirm nor deny the reports.
6 FGM Thursday September 12 2019 | the times

News
News Politics

Johnson’s advice to Queen was

Chris Smyth Whitehall Editor
Kieran Andrews Scottish Political Editor
Jonathan Ames Legal Editor
Parliament will be recalled if the UK’s
top court upholds a Scottish court’s
explosive ruling that Boris Johnson
gave the Queen unlawful advice, the
government has promised.
Downing Street was forced to make
the pledge after outrage among Con-
servatives when a senior minister and
an official at No 10 cast doubt on the
impartiality of Scottish judges.
A constitutional crisis provoked by
the prorogation of parliament will
come to a head in the Supreme Court
on Tuesday after diametrically op-
posed rulings from judges in England
and Scotland.
This week parliament was prorogued
for five weeks, the longest such shut-
down since the Second World War. The
government insists this is to prepare for
“an ambitious programme of domestic
legislation”. A group of 78 largely Re-
main-supporting MPs brought a case in
the Scottish courts claiming that the
prorogation was unlawful, alongside
similar cases in England and Northern
Ireland. They claimed that the govern-
ment’s stated reason of preparing for a
Queen’s Speech was a cover to prevent
parliamentary scrutiny.
Yesterday the Court of Session in
Edinburgh agreed, in an excoriating
judgment, that the decision was invalid
because it was “motivated by the im-
proper purpose of stymying parlia-
ment”. Hours later the High
Court in London released its
reasons for rejecting a similar
case brought by the anti-Brexit
campaigner Gina Miller. The
three English judges said that
even if the shutdown was moti-
vated by desire for “political ad-
vantage” it would still be legal,
saying that prorogation was a
political matter into which courts
should be “slow to intrude”.
Opposition MPs demanded to
be allowed to return to Westmin- The ruling, delivered
ster immediately but the Speaker of the by Lord Carloway,
Commons declined to push the matter made clear that Boris
and the government said the shutdown Johnson had given the
would continue pending the ruling on Queen advice that
Tuesday. was unlawful
As well as being an embarrassment
for the prime minister, the ruling fur-

ther drags the judiciary into the polit-
ical battlefield. A No 10 source told The
Sun that “the legal activists choose the
Scottish courts for a reason”, a com-
ment that was condemned as “pitiful,
pathetic and desperate” by Nicola
Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister.
Later Kwasi Kwarteng, the business
minister, who attends cabinet, told the
BBC’s Andrew Neil Show that while he
believed judges were impartial, “many
Leave voters are beginning to question
the impartiality of the judges. They’re
saying, ‘Why are judges getting in-
volved in politics?’”
Robert Buckland, the justice secre-
tary, disowned the comments. “Our
judges are renowned around the world
for their excellence and impartiality
and I have total confidence in their
independence in every case,” he said.
Other Conservatives, including Ruth
Davidson, the former Scottish Tory
leader, criticised the suggestion.
Sources close to Ms Davidson rallied
behind her interim successor, Jackson
Carlaw, who insisted he had “absolute
confidence in the independence and
integrity of the Scottish judiciary”.
In their unanimous ruling, the three
Scottish judges said not only could they
rule on the issue but that the proroga-
tion “was motivated by the improper
purpose of stymying parliament”.
In a court summary of the judgment,
Q&A
due in full on Friday, the lord president,
Lord Carloway, decided that although Analysis
the prime minister’s advice to the
Queen would not normally be subject
to judicial review “it would neverthe-
less be unlawful if its purpose was to
stymie parliamentary scrutiny of the
executive”.
W hen Boris
Johnson gets
his wish for
an early election it is
widely believed that
this strategy may be
wrong. Conservatism,
at least as it has been
seen by past leaders of
the Conservative and
Plenty of Tory MPs
were discomfited by
the perceived
unwillingness of Liz
Truss, as justice
Where did this ruling come from?
After Boris Johnson prorogued
parliament, separate legal cases against
He judged that “the circumstances in he will wage a “people Unionist Party, secretary, to defend the shutdown were brought by
which the advice was proffered” and v parliament” contest, respects and arguably the judges who ruled anti-Brexit campaigns in the English,
documents released by the government casting himself as the reveres institutions of that parliament had Scottish and Northern Irish courts. They
to the court “demonstrated that this was defender of the 2016 the state. A vow to to approve the moving argued that it was unlawful to shut
the true reason for the prorogation”. referendum result uphold Unionism — of Article 50. down the Commons for so long at a
Joanna Cherry, QC, the Scottish (Henry Zeffman and Mr Johnson has Comments like that time when MPs needed to scrutinise
National Party MP who led the case, writes). With the added the role of quoted by The Sun the government’s Brexit plans.
backed by cross-party group of politi- Court of Session’s minister for the Union could inflame doubts
cians, said that the decision was “a huge judgment, he may be to his title — is part of on the Tory benches What did the government say?
victory and a vindication of our case”. tempted to expand his this, so the fact that about the approach of Ministers insisted the prorogation was
“The prorogation must now be opponents to other this decision was Mr Johnson and perfectly normal and was needed to
stopped,” she said. British institutions. made in the Scottish Dominic Cummings bring to an end the longest
Sir Keir Starmer, QC, the shadow On that level, the court system should to the Union, the law parliamentary session since the 1640s.
Brexit secretary, said: “I urge the prime ruling, whether or not make no difference. and UK institutions. Mr Johnson said time was needed to
minister to immediately recall parlia- it is overturned by the Yet within an hour No matter how the prepare for a Queen’s speech on other
ment so we can debate this judgment Supreme Court, plays of the ruling The Sun case is settled, it offers issues such as the NHS and crime.
and decide what happens.” into his hands. If his quoted a No 10 source a taste of the lines Mr
A government spokesman said: political strategy is suggesting that “the Johnson will draw for What has the Scottish court decided?
“We are disappointed by [yesterday’s] correct, then the legal legal activists chose an election. Plenty The judges did not believe him, ruling
decision, and will appeal to the Su- intricacies of the case the Scottish courts for will say that it is not yesterday that the prorogation was
preme Court. The government needs to matter less than the a reason”. Those who conservatism, but he “unlawful because it had the purpose of
bring forward a strong domestic legis- perception that the brought the case said is betting his political stymying parliament”.
lative agenda. Proroguing parliament is establishment is that they did so in livelihood that setting
the legal and necessary way of deliver- trying to stop him Scotland because the himself against the Why did it decide that?
ing this.” from securing Brexit. English courts were establishment will win The court has not yet released the full
Letters, page 26 His problem is that not sitting in August. him a Tory majority. reasons but some lawyers suggest it
Leading article, page 27 could have drawn conclusions from the
the times | Thursday September 12 2019
unlawful, Scottish judges rule
VICTORIA JONES/PA
lack of a sworn government witness
statement setting out how and why the
decision was made.
Did Boris Johnson lie to the Queen?
The court’s ruling is more nuanced.
What the judges said was that because
he was motivated by a political desire
to evade parliamentary scrutiny, his
advice to the Queen was unlawful. She
was therefore misled.
Why did the English court come to a
completely opposite conclusion?
Key to this was the view of the High
Court that prorogation was an
inherently political process and it was
not for judges to interfere in relations
between parliament and government.
What now?
The Supreme Court will have to sort it
out in a hearing scheduled for Tuesday.
Is parliament now back?
No. Labour MPs gathered in
Westminster yesterday to demand to
be allowed to sit again, but Mr Johnson
refused to recall parliament after the
Speaker said he would not intervene.
Will it return if the ruling is upheld?
Yes. No 10 has said it will abide by the
final judgment but the process and
timing is unclear.
FGM
Joanna Cherry
emerged
triumphant from
court yesterday
and the Labour
MP Jonathan
Reynolds used
Twitter to show
he was ready
to sit again
in the
Commons
What has this got to do with Dominic
Cummings’s WhatsApp messages?
MPs opposed to the prorogation
wanted to prove that the government
had ulterior motives for the shutdown.
Parliament passed a motion demanding
that it hand over by 11pm last night “all
correspondence and communications
(whether formal or informal, in both
written and electronic form and the use
of official and personal mobile phones)
to, from or within the administration,
since July 23, 2019, relating to the
prorogation of Parliament”, sent by a
number of named officials.
Why did the government refuse?
It argued that the demand would set a
dangerous precedent and make it
impossible for advisers to give frank
advice, and break data protection laws.
Will this be challenged?
Opponents of the government have
developed a taste for taking it to court,
and a legal attempt to force them to
comply is likely to be discussed.
What would be the significance if MPs
returned?
In practical terms, very little. MPs
opposed to the government’s Brexit
policy have already achieved their goal
of making it illegal for the prime
minister to leave the EU without a deal.
Yellowhammer forecasts food
shortages, delays and disorder
Henry Zeffman
Political Correspondent
Britain could face a jump in
public disorder, delays at air-
ports and ports and significant
rises in electricity prices in the
event of a no-deal Brexit, gov-
ernment planning documents
released last night confirmed.
Operation Yellowhammer, the
“reasonable worst-case planning as-
sumptions” for the UK leaving the EU
without a deal, also warned of shortages
of some foods and delays in importing
medicines.
The five-page document, released at
the behest of the House of Commons, is
almost identical to one leaked to The
Sunday Times last month. At the time,
Michael Gove, the minister overseeing
no-deal planning, claimed that it was
“an old document”, adding that “since it
was published and circulated, the gov-
ernment have taken significant addi-
tional steps to ensure we are prepared
to leave on October 31, deal or no-deal”.
Yesterday Mr Gove wrote to Dominic
Grieve, the former Conservative MP
who led the charge to get the document
released, that it was the “most recent
complete iteration” of the govern-
ment’s “planning assumptions” for a
“reasonable worst-case scenario”.
The document released last night
was dated August 2, just over a week
after Boris Johnson became prime min-
ister. The version leaked last month
described its contents as a “base scen-
ario” but the heading on last night’s
release was “reasonable worst-case
planning assumptions”.
Last night Sam Gyimah, the former
education minister who was one of 21
Tory rebels who had the whip with-
drawn, tweeted: “The leaked document
wasn’t out of date. This isn’t project fear.
“It is a sober assessment of what
could happen. No-deal is not ‘vanish-
ingly inexpensive’ or a ‘bump in the
road’. This is only a part of the chaos
and long-term damage our country
would suffer. We must stop this.”
Labour said that the document re-
leased “confirms the severe risks of a
no-deal Brexit”. Sir Keir Starmer, the
shadow Brexit secretary, said: “It is
completely irresponsible for the gov-
ernment to have tried to ignore these
stark warnings and prevent the public
from seeing the evidence.
“Boris Johnson must now admit he
has been dishonest with the British
people about the consequence of a no-
deal Brexit. It is also now more impor-
tant than ever that parliament is re-
called and has the opportunity to scru-
tinise these documents and take all
steps necessary to stop no-deal.”
Lisa Nandy, one of the Labour MPs
more open to backing a Brexit deal,
said: “Whichever way you read this
document, no responsible government
would consider doing this.”
Stephen Doughty, a Labour MP, said
the government had failed to fully com-
ply with the Commons demand made
on Monday, which “requested all docu-
ments submitted to cabinet” and its
committees. Mr Doughty asked: “Is this
all our cabinet have been told? It’s bad
enough. If not — where’s the rest?”
In his letter to Mr Grieve, Mr Gove
said: “As you will be aware, by long-
standing convention under successive
The document released last night
focused on the worst-case scenario
The key points
Freight Vehicles are likely to be
delayed for up to two and a half
days in Kent before being able to
cross to Europe, causing miles of
tailbacks. On day one of no-deal, up
to 85 per cent of HGVs may not be
ready for French customs, reducing
the “flow rate” to 40 per cent of
present levels. Disruption is
expected for months. This could
affect fuel supply to London and the
southeast.
Medicines Three quarters of supply
comes through the Kent Channel
crossing. Supply chains are highly
regulated and disruption will cause
problems for medicines that cannot
be stockpiled because of short shelf
lives. Up to 40 per cent of supplies
could be disrupted on day one.
Disease Medicine shortages for
animals will limit the ability to
prevent and control disease, leading
to outbreaks of illnesses that spread
from animals to humans, including
swine flu, salmonella and potentially
even ebola and rabies.
Inflation Those on lowest incomes
are going to be hit hardest by the
disruption, which will include price
rises to food and fuel.
Fishing Almost 300 fishing ships
from the EU and the European
Economic Area could enter UK
waters illegally on day one. The
government is not prepared and
there are expected to be clashes
between British and foreign ships.
Smuggling and illegal migration is
expected to rise, as well as violent
disputes and port blockades.
Oil A redacted paragraph, the
contents of which were revealed in
an earlier leaked version, referred to
the effect on oil refineries. EU tariffs
will make petrol exports
uncompetitive. The British
government’s policy of setting
petrol import tariffs at 0 per cent
will lead to the closure of two UK
refineries and the loss of 2,000 jobs.
Strike action over job losses is
expected to lead to up to two weeks
of fuel shortages in the regions
supplied by those refineries.
Social care An increase in inflation
after a no-deal Brexit would leave
many providers unable to pay
higher staff and supply costs.
Smaller providers are expected to
fail within three months and larger
ones within six.
7
News
News
administrations of all political
colours, the government does
not release cabinet and cabinet
sub-committee papers. This is
stated within the ministerial
code and is reflected in the cabi-
net manual.”
Among 20 “key planning
assumptions” spanning all parts
of the economy, the document
says: “Protests and counter-protests
will take place across the UK and may
absorb significant amounts of police re-
source,” adding: “There may also be a
rise in public disorder and community
tensions.”
The document says “there are likely
to be significant electricity price in-
creases for consumers, with associated
wider economic and political impacts,”
adding that “low-income groups will be
disproportionately affected by any
price rises in food and fuel”.
On food, it warns some fresh supplies
will decrease and that “critical depend-
encies for the food chain” such as key
ingredients “may be in shorter supply”.
It says these factors would not lead to
overall food shortages “but will reduce
the availability and choice of products
and will increase price, which could
impact vulnerable groups”.
Noting that “day 1 no-deal” if the UK
leaves on October 31 falls on a Friday,
the document says that this “may not be
to our advantage” because it could
coincide with the end of October half-
term school holidays.
France, it says, will impose EU man-
datory controls on UK goods on the
first day. At that point, it says, “between
50-85 per cent of HGVs travelling via
the short Channel Straits may not be
ready for French customs.
“The lack of trader readiness com-
bined with limited space in French ports
to hold ‘unready’ HGVs could reduce
the flow rate to 40-60 per cent of current
levels within one day as unready HGVs
will fill the ports and block flow.
“The worst disruption to the short
Channel Straits might last for up to three
months before it improves by a signifi-
cant level to around 50-70 per cent (due
to more traders getting prepared), al-
though there could continue to be some
disruption for significantly longer.
“Disruption to flow across the short
Channel Straits would also cause sig-
nificant queues in Kent and delays to
HGVs attempting to use the routes to
travel to France.
“In a reasonable worst-case scenario,
HGVs could face maximum delays of
1.5-2.5 days before being able to cross
the border.”
The document says UK citizens trav-
elling to and from the EU “may be sub-
ject to increased immigration checks at
EU border posts”. It warns: “This may
lead to passenger delays at St Pancras,
Cheriton (Channel Tunnel) and Dover
where juxtaposed controls are in place.
“Dependent on the plans EU
member states put in place to cope with
these increased checks, it is likely
delays will occur for UK arrivals and
departures at EU airports and ports.
“This could cause some disruption
on transport services. Travellers may
decide to use alternative routes to com-
plete their journey.”
The risk to water supplies is low, it
says, with water companies “well pre-
pared for any disruption”.
8 FGM Thursday September 12 2019 | the times

News
News Politics

Labour rebels ready

to defy Corbyn and
back PM on Brexit
Oliver Wright Policy Editor
Bruno Waterfield Brussels
Up to 20 Labour MPs may be prepared
to defy Jeremy Corbyn and support any
revised Brexit deal that Boris Johnson
is able to strike with the European
Union, senior party figures believe.
David Frost, the prime minister’s
chief negotiator, returned to Brussels
yesterday for talks with officials amid
signs that the Democratic Unionist
Party is shifting its position on post-
Brexit provisions for Northern Ireland.
The party has already signalled that
it would not object to the idea of an all-
Ireland backstop for food and agricul-
ture, based on alignment to EU law, as
long as Northern Ireland retained a say
in the development of new regulations.
Sources have also indicated that
there could be movement on allowing
single market regulatory checks on
goods being carried by boats in the Irish
Sea — within the context of getting the
Northern Ireland assembly up and run-
ning. They said that as long as the
arrangements were carried out with
the “consent” of the Northern Ireland
parties there was precedence for the
province diverging from the rest of the
United Kingdom.
However, they insisted that any
revised deal could not see Northern
Ireland remain in a customs union with
the EU while the rest of the UK left.
“The red line is there cannot be any
tariff barriers between Northern Ire-
land and Britain,” they said.
This would require the EU to accept
some form of “alternative arrange-
ments” to ensure there was not a need
for physical infrastructure at the bor-
der. This is likely to prove a significant
stumbling block in the negotiations.
The prospect of such a deal being
negotiated in Brussels and the DUP
signing up is still a very long way off.
Yesterday Mr Johnson said that he
would “not accept a Northern Ireland
only backstop”. But a compromise
potentially unlocks a way for a revised
withdrawal agreement to pass the
House of Commons.
The final time Theresa May put her
deal to the House all but about 30 Brex-
What side they’re all on iteers signed up to it, including two MPs
who are now in the cabinet.
How MPs could vote Yes DUP backing for a deal would mini-
320 No mise any so-called “Spartan” rebellion
needed of Tory Brexiteers.
for a “It is not up to us to be more Unionist
majority DUP than the DUP,” said one, while warning
10 there were other significant areas of the
Labour present withdrawal agreement that
for a deal they objected to.
10-50 Ind for a One senior Labour source said that
referendum about 20 of their MPs would vote for a
7 revised Johnson deal even if the Labour
leadership opposed it. “It is hard to
Ind for calculate because you don’t know what
a deal the deal will be,” they said. “But if it is
Jo
24 not that different from the current
Johnson
1 withdrawal agreement and the govern-
ment had a realistic prospect of getting
enough support on their own side I
think you could see up to 20 of our lot
Ind backing it.”
up for Another added: “The critical test
grabs
4
would be the extent of the Tory Brexit-
eer rebellion. No Labour MP is going to
Government vote for a Johnson deal that looks like
payroll it’s going to fail.”
117 Seventeen Labour MPs signed a let-
ter last month calling for a fresh vote on
a version of Mrs May’s deal.
Labour In a speech to be given today Amber
loyalists Rudd, the former work and pensions
194-234 secretary, urges Labour MPs to back
any deal that Mr Johnson negotiates.
“Politicians have a responsibility to
acknowledge the crisis we are in and to
find solutions,” she says. “To use guile,
persuasion, intelligence to find the
SNP, compromise to reconcile the conflict-
Lib Dems, ing duties of the referendum and their
TIG, Plaid, responsibilities.”
Greens She also warns against making the
Back any 61 choice a binary one between revoking
deal Article 50 to remain or leaving with no
144-156 deal. She says: “Choosing either of
Spartans those paths would wholly alienate
14-26 those on the other side of the argument.
I continue to believe that compromise
is the right approach.”
Kate In Berlin, Angela Merkel, the German
Hoey chancellor, told MPs in the Bundestag
1 that negotiations would continue “to the
last day”, adding: “We still have every
chance of an orderly withdrawal.”

Q&A
been forced by pro-Remain
forces to tack on a second
referendum pledge to that
Quentin Letts
any new deal that Boris Could Labour MPs vote for
Johnson could negotiate a Conservative Brexit deal?
and remain. Quite possibly, but previous

What is Labour’s latest

position on Brexit?
It is far from clear. In part
that is because the party’s
official line will be decided
at its annual conference this
month. There are huge
splits between MPs (who
are split themselves), the
trade unions, the leader’s
office and individual
constituency associations.
The leadership and the
biggest Labour-supporting
union, Unite, are in favour
of an ambiguous position
that would hold open the
offer but have held off from
agreeing that Labour
should campaign for
Remain.
Other figures in the party
are pushing a proposal
where Labour could go
into an election pledging to
hold a straight rerun of the
2016 referendum.
Labour would revoke
Article 50 if the Remain
campaign prevailed and
pledge to take Britain out of
the EU on the “best possible
terms” if Leave won again.
A third force in the party,
supported by a significant
minority of MPs, want
What will happen at
conference?
Again it is very unclear. For
any motion to become
policy it must be debated
with different opinions
“composited” — merged so
that a consensus can be
reached. There is, however,
no formal process, such as
votes, for dealing with
divisions and the process
can go on for hours and
hours.
The unions, which still
wield a block vote, will be
crucial. It probably means
that any final policy that
predictions of a Labour
rebellion have been hugely
overstated. Up to 20 Labour
MPs are understood to want
Watson re-emerges
a deal and would be
prepared to vote for a
version of Theresa May’s
deal if it came back for a
from the shadows with
vote. However, if Mr Johnson
can pull off an agreement,
they might be prepared to
his heart of darkness
defy the whip and support it.
Much will depend on the referendum on EU membership.
Commons arithmetic. If Mr Political Sketch One moment he was (mis)quoting
Johnson looked like he had Dylan Thomas, the next it was
won over the Democratic Emily Brontë; then he gave us a
Unionist Party and enough long passage of Conrad’s novel
hardline Brexiteers, then Heart of Darkness, which he said
Labour MPs might back him. he was reading at present.

possibility of the party
backing a soft Brexit
negotiated by a Labour
government. They have
Labour to continue to block
any election until there
were a second referendum
— which would be between
emerges will be less
“remainy” than many
ordinary party activists
would like.
T
If he looked like he would fall
short, most would not
sacrifice their political career
on a point of principle.
om Watson, Labour’s deputy He used this Conrad extract to
leader, kept coming over all attack Boris Johnson: “The
poetic as he made a speech wilderness had found him out. It
calling for a second had whispered to him things about
the times | Thursday September 12 2019
himself which he did not know. It
echoed loudly within him because
he was hollow at the core.”
Mr Watson’s speech at Somerset
House was his first prominent foray
into politics since the Carl Beech
scandal. Not that he mentioned
that awkward matter, in which he
took up the sex-abuse allegations of
a fantasist and pursued innocent
public figures, in one case to the
death bed.
In the case of Mr Watson it was
not the wilderness that found him;
it was the trial of Beech.
His speech yesterday morning
was to the Creative Industries
Federation, a yuppyish outfit that
proclaims itself “independent,
authoritative, fearless”.
Not fearless about a no-deal
Brexit, mind you. Or the press.
Some reporters were initially
barred from attending. A
jobsworth, refusing us admission,
cited the orders of “Tom’s people”.
Following a stand-off the
FGM
TIMES PHOTOGRAPHER JACK HILL
Tom Watson made his first significant
public appearance yesterday since the
scandal over his support for the
fantasist Carl Beech, below, who made
false claims about a child abuse ring
Watson spin doctors realised that a
shadow minister for the media
barring the press was probably not
such a great look.
“It’s the first day I’ve had for a
while to come up for air,” Mr
Watson began. This was the only
tangential reference to his spell of
purdah since his little friend Beech
was sent to prison.
Then we were given the long
burst of Conrad. Watson said that
he had spotted Johnson in a
division lobby at the Commons this
week and that he had looked “a
physically diminished individual”,
just like Conrad’s character Kurtz.
Mr Watson himself is physically
diminished these days. He has lost
several stone in weight.
Yesterday he was wearing a white
shirt, buttoned at the neck but with
no tie. It was not tucked in at the
waist. This is the fashion equivalent
of a mid-life crisis.
Hoarse, either from sore throat
or from some creepy quest for
earnestness, he sounded subdued,
even when he moved on to “the
more positive” question of a
general election.
Boris was “the most disgraceful
Conservative politician of his
generation” and he would not
succeed in wrecking “those great
democratic institutions, the
European Union, the UK
parliament and the British
Conservative Party”.
I have just checked my notes.
Watson really did call the EU
democratic.
He told the audience of London
creatives “you represent the best of
our country in these dark times”. “I
hear you, we’re in your corner.” He
hoped it was still possible to pull
back the votes of Remainers who
had abandoned Labour for the Lib
Dems.
There was a long section of the
speech in which he said he no
longer respected the result of the
2016 referendum’s Leave vote.
Labour must “unambiguously back
Remain” and the public wanted the
party to be “unequivocal” about
that.
“Whatever happens, we will
fight,” Mr Watson said. And yet,
almost in the same
paragraph, he said
that “I get the over-
riding sense that people
are seeking
compromise”.
Things started
becoming painfully
self-analytical when he
quoted In My Craft or
Sullen Art
Art, by Dylan
Thomas, a poem in
which Thomas
examines his creative
motives on what he calls
“these spindrift pages”.
Mr Watson called them
“spendthrift pages”.
He ended with To
Imagination by Emily
Brontë — “where thou
and I and Liberty have
undisputed sovereignty”
sovereignty”.
The two lines
immediately before
envisage an ideal world in
which “guile, and hate,
and doubt, and cold
suspicion never rise”
rise”.
This from the man who
so harried Field Marshal
Bramall, Harvey Proctor
and the late Leon Brittan?
As politicians go, he’s one
bad oyster.
Leadership considers
holding referendum
before deal is struck
Oliver Wright
Voters would face a re-run of the 2016
EU referendum under a Labour gov-
ernment, according to plans being
considered by the party’s leadership.
In a reversal of the present position,
Labour strategists have drawn up a pro-
posal to hold a second referendum as
soon as the party came to power and
before striking a revised deal with the
European Union.
Under the terms of the proposed ref-
erendum, Labour would revoke Article
50 if the Remain campaign prevailed. It
would pledge to take Britain out of the
EU on the “best possible terms” if the
Leave campaign won again.
Labour sources said that the party
would make clear that, in the event of a
“leave” vote, the terms of Britain’s
departure would be based on the
existing withdrawal agreement with a
revised political declaration.
“It would be an acknowledgement
that there is a limit to what we can agree
with Brussels in terms of changing the
withdrawal agreement,” a party
spokesman said. “Clearly we want a
closer future relationship than is out-
lined in the political declaration and
that is something we would talk to the
EU about.”
It is understood that the option is one
of two on the table before the party’s
conference in Brighton from Septem-
ber 22 to 24. The other would be to try
to negotiate modest changes to Mrs
May’s deal with Brussels, including
plans for a customs union. That deal
would then be put to a second referen-
dum with an option to remain.
Labour affiliated trade unions are
understood to support that position. Sir
Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit
secretary, is also in favour of the new
EU officials regret getting
into bed with Remainers
Bruno Waterfield
European Union officials and diplo-
mats are “tearing their hair out” at the
twists and turns of Labour’s “mad”
Brexit policy and regret past tactical
alliances with Remain campaigners.
One Brussels source close to negotia-
tions said the EU had “made mistakes”
with Labour and was now horrified at
the party’s convoluted position as
political chaos in Westminster raises
the prospect of Jeremy Corbyn taking
the keys to Downing Street.
“They want us to negotiate a ‘credible’
deal and then they will campaign
against it in a referendum? That is mad.
How can we negotiate with people like
that?” an EU source said. “Their
divisions and magical thinking are as
bad as anything the Conservatives
produced — perhaps worse.”
The source expressed regrets that
links with Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow
Brexit secretary, had helped shape
Labour tactics that backfired by con-
tributing to three defeats for Theresa
May’s withdrawal agreement.
There is growing belief among offi-
cials that hardline Remain supporters,
such as Sir Keir, have helped create a
political crisis that has rebounded on
the EU by unravelling the deal.
Officials regret not cultivating other
Labour MPs who support a withdrawal
agreement to avoid alienating their
9
News
News
approach, along with a significant num-
ber of Labour MPs. It is still unclear
what position Labour would advocate
in a referendum either before or after a
new deal had been struck.
One of the advantages of the
approach is that it would make it easier
for the party to back Remain if a revised
Brexit deal had been struck.
A party source said, however, that
Labour’s official position on how it
would campaign was still “completely
up in the air”.
Mr Corbyn has suggested that the
party could adopt a position similar to
that held by Harold Wilson in the origi-
nal vote on Britain’s membership of the
EEC in 1975. That would commit the
party to Remain but allow individual
MPs to campaign for Leave.
The leadership faces a delicate balan-
cing act as it prepares for its annual
conference, which is Labour’s supreme
decision-making body.
The vast majority of activists want to
move the party into a pro-Remain
stance. Mr Corbyn and Len McCluskey,
his main union backer, are uncomfort-
able with this position. They fear that
swinging too much towards a pro-EU
stance would damage the party in seats
that it needs to hold if it is to have any
chance of winning an election.
Labour supporters of a second refer-
endum are still trying to prevent the
leadership from backing an election at
all.
They believe that the party should
prevent any attempt to allow the
government to force it to go to the polls
— even after October 31, when Boris
Johnson insists that Britain must leave
the EU. They hope that this might push
the prime minister into backing a
second referendum as the only way to
break the deadlock.
party’s voters who backed Leave in
northern and Welsh constituencies by
campaigning to reverse Brexit.
“It would have been better to talk to
sensible MPs like Stephen Kinnock or
Lisa Nandy who want an agreement,”
said the source.
More widely, European governments
now believe that it has been a mistake to
back Remainers such as Tony Blair and
Lord Mandelson, who have links in
Brussels and Paris, in their efforts to use
delays to the Brexit deadline to keep
Britain inside the EU.
Donald Tusk, the president of the
European Council, has been active in
encouraging Remain campaigners to
press for extensions to the Article 50
process culminating in the recent
House of Commons legislation to
prevent a no-deal Brexit this week.
President Macron held private meet-
ings with Mr Blair this year to offer a
two-year delay to Brexit, in order to
give Remainers the chance to reverse
the 2016 referendum.
“Remainers in the EU once saw merit
in extension because it kept Britain in
the EU. That is changing and it is
changing fast in the capitals,” a senior
EU diplomat said.
“It has not been helpful and has been
a get out jail free card allowing the
Westminster parliament to think they
do not have to take responsibility for
the withdrawal agreement.”
10
News
Oxford stays top
as Britain slides
down university
world rankings
Nicola Woolcock
Education Correspondent
Oxford University has been ranked the
world’s top university for the fourth
consecutive year, but Britain’s overall
standing is threatened by countries
including Germany and Japan.
Cambridge dropped to third and
Imperial College London to 10th in the
Times Higher Education rankings. They
include 100 British universities overall,
with 28 in the top 200. However, the US
continues to dominate.
There were warnings from experts
that fears over Brexit may be stifling
British institutions’ ability to recruit the
best talent.
Asia is providing increasingly stiff
competition for the European and
American old guard, with China boost-
ing its performance yet again, accord-
ing to the rankings authors. Since 2016
the number of British universities in the
top 200 has fallen from 34 to 28, while
the number of German ones has in-
creased from 20 to 23.
The table includes more than 1,300
universities from 92 countries, making
it one of the largest higher education
analyses. Institutions are assessed on
teaching quality, the volume and repu-
tation of research, income from indus-
try and international links.
Oxford is rated the best-performing
university in the world because of its
outstanding teaching environment,
international outlook and research en-
vironment. Cambridge drops from
second to third, having been overtaken
by the California Institute of Techno-
logy, while Imperial, University College
London and the London School of Eco-
nomics and Political Science all drop
one place but remain in the top 30.
The UK has 28 universities in the top
200, down from 29 last year — 18 of
these 28 dropped by at least one
FGM Thursday September 12 2019 | the times
DANNY LAWSON/PA
place. London provided a fifth of the
UK’s total 100 representatives, and five
of the elite top 200. The capital has
more universities in the world rankings
than several European countries, in-
cluding the Netherlands, Portugal and
Poland.
Phil Baty, of Times Higher Education,
said: “Historically the UK has punched
well above its weight with regards to
higher education, being home to a huge
number of top-quality institutions. In
recent years, however, increasingly
strong competition from Asian institu-
tions has begun to squeeze the UK out
of its traditional top spots. Last year, the
UK was displaced as the second most-
represented country overall by Japan
and the Asian nation further extends its
lead this year.
“British universities have long been Pipe cleaner Robert Woodland, a conservation expert, at work in St John’s Chapel at York Minster on restoring some of the
able to attract the most talented aca- 1830s case pipes that have been removed from the grand organ during a £2 million refurbishment project lasting two years
demics and students from across the
world, but there are signs that this is be-
coming more difficult ahead of Brexit.
If the UK starts to withdraw from the
international stage, its position in the
upper echelons of the rankings will
Judging degrees by earnings is ‘wrong’
suffer.” Rosemary Bennett Education Editor developing between the government cut back on degrees that may be popu-
Louise Richardson, the vice-chan- and universities. The government be- lar but have been shown to lead to poor
cellor of Oxford University, said: University vice-chancellors say the lieves that a degree should be of value to employment prospects.
“While UK universities face great un- government has “got it wrong” in focus- the economy as well as the individual Polling by Comres for Universities
certainty around Brexit and funding, ing on graduate earnings when judging student, not least because so many stu- UK, the umbrella group for vice-chan-
these results demonstrate that we are the value of a degree. dent loans will not be paid back, leaving cellors, found that only one in three
well prepared to meet these challenges. They say the most common reason taxpayers to pick up the bill. students and recent graduates said they
“Oxford’s success is in large part due young people cite for going to univers- However, universities say there are decided to go to university to get a
to our research collaborations with ity is that they “find their subject inter- other, more valuable benefits than sala- higher salary.
other excellent universities around the esting” followed by enjoying studying ries, such as social integration, that Julia Buckingham, the vice-chancel-
world and we remain determined both and “having new experiences”. ministers need to take into account. lor of Brunel University and president
to deepen and to expand these partner- Only a third say they want to get a The government is studying recom- of Universities UK, said: “These results
ships, whatever Brexit brings.” degree to enhance their earning mendations on university funding, tell us loudly and clearly that policy
Peter-André Alt, president of the potential, a poll of more than 2,200 stu- which have suggested cutting tuition makers and politicians have got it
German Rectors’ Conference, told dents and recent graduates found. fees from £9,250 a year to £7,500. The wrong . . . Students do not judge the
Times Higher Education that while the The vice-chancellors say that stu- government would make up the differ- value of universities on their future sala-
German system did not have a “small dents are not judging the value of ence to universities, but could use this ries and neither should policymakers.”
group of outstanding universities”, as universities by their future salary and mechanism to fund courses it believes Vice-chancellors from UK universi-
was the case in the UK and US, it had a neither should policymakers. are valuable and disregard others. That ties are gathering in Birmingham for
“relatively broad and strong” group. The findings go to the heart of a row would in turn encourage universities to their national annual conference today.
the times | Thursday September 12 2019 FGM 11

News

Adventurers dreamt of ‘ending stigma’

around Iran but ended up behind bars
Lucy Fisher Defence Correspondent
Ben Ellery
Bernard Lagan Sydney
When Jolie King and Mark Firkin
resolved to quit the “nine-to-five cor-
porate grind”, pack up their lives in Aus-
tralia and travel the world, they decided
to film their journey to prove that ma-
ligned nations are suitable for tourism.
“Our biggest motivation behind the
vlogs [video blogs] is to hopefully in-
spire anyone wanting to travel, and also
try to break the stigma around travel-
ling to countries which get a bad rap in
the media,” the couple wrote online.
It may have been while trying to cap-
ture aerial footage for one video in Iran,
a country renowned for its unpredicta-
ble behaviour towards foreigners, that
they were arrested about ten weeks ago.
The editor of Manoto TV, a Persian-
language broadcaster based in London,
has reported that the couple were ar-
rested for flying a drone near Tehran
without a licence. Since then Ms King,
a British-Australian, and Mr Firkin, an
Australian, have been in jail. They have
not stood trial, the editor wrote online.
The turn of events is a dismal end to
a “life-changing adventure” that began
in summer 2017 after they had saved up
funds, including from the sale of furni-
ture, and left home in Cottesloe, West-
ern Australia, on a journey to Britain.
After island-hopping to southeast
Asia, they drove in a modified Toyota
Land Cruiser through India, Pakistan,
China and other Asian countries before
arriving in Iran. On June 30 they posted
a video from their first day there. “We’re
now in Iran and we’re camped on a nice
hill here next to the capital Tehran,” Mr
Firkin said. “We just arrived. It’s actual-
ly really beautiful,” Ms King added.
She is being held in the same women’s
political prisoner wing in Evin jail as
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 41, a British-
Iranian mother of one who has been
held since 2016 on spying charges.
A second British-Australian woman,
an academic who studied at Cambridge
University, is in solitary confinement
after a separate incident, it is believed.
The Times has chosen not to name her
at the request of the Foreign Office.
The Australian government is spear-
heading consular efforts in all three
cases but Boris Johnson and Dominic Jolie King and Mark Firkin documented their trip across Asia in their modified Toyota Land Cruiser in a series of video blogs that abruptly ceased ten weeks ago
Raab plan to confront the Iranians over
their detention of Britons at a UN
meeting in New York this month. The
foreign secretary made the promise in a
Analysis
Inside Evin, infamous jail
T where thousands perished
letter, seen by The Times and sent last he three hostage-taking is be gained from
week to three Labour MPs who repre- tourists naked. When the amicable relations
sent constituents detained in Iran. “We arrested in Royal Marines with Britain.
will not accept Iran using our citizens as Iran may not impounded the Concessions will
diplomatic leverage,” Mr Raab wrote. have been Iranian oil tanker the need to be gained Richard Spencer some of those opponents overthrew
Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, aware of the two key Grace 1 in Gibraltar in from time to time, Middle East Correspondent him and took power in 1979.
said yesterday: “The message to Iran is ways they would be July, there were however. Perhaps the In the 1980s thousands, if not tens of
to follow the international rule of law . . . regarded by the ever immediate attempts most obvious The photographs showed the British thousands, of dissidents and members
and to release people that have been more powerful to seize a British- precedent for the consul with his European colleagues of a particularly hated rebel group —
detained in the way they have been over Revolutionary Guard flagged ship in the tourists’ arrest was arriving to a red-carpet welcome and the People’s Mujahidin of Iran — were
the last couple of years.” (Richard Spencer Gulf. Eventually they the seizure in 2009 of sitting around a table laden with food, hanged there. Evin prison still has an
The Iranian authorities have told Ms writes). were successful. The three Americans who in the luxuriant shade of overhanging active death row, though it is not so
King that she is being detained in hope Some senior Stena Impero and strayed across the sycamore trees. overcrowded these days. Many of its
of a prisoner swap, a source familiar officers view all most of its Indian border with Iraqi The lunchtime event at Evin prison high-profile prisoners are long-term
with her case told The Times. While the foreigners as potential crew remain in Kurdistan. They were in Iran two years ago was one of the political opponents, and in some cases,
Iranian government has not publicly spies. Such paranoia custody in the Iranian held for more than Islamic Republic’s stranger attempts to political pawns of the regime.
commented on the arrests, in April the was deep seated even port of Bandar Abbas. two years before present itself as a “normal” country. Among the inmates are Mrs Zaghari-
foreign minister Mohammad Javad before the Islamic In the case of Oman stepped in to The consul, Simon Minshull, would Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian employee of
Zarif proposed swapping Mrs Zaghari- Republic came to Nazanin Zaghari- pay their bail. have been aware that Nazanin Zaghari- the Thomson Reuters Foundation who
Ratcliffe for Negar Ghodskani, 40, an power. Ratcliffe, the British- It emerged that Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian citizen, and was arrested and accused of spying
Iranian woman who is in jail in the US. For others, Iranian woman held President Obama also a string of other Iranian dual citizens while visiting her parents with her
She pleaded guilty last month to a foreigners represent a in Evin prison, authorised Oman to were being held hostage by their hosts daughter. Anousheh Ashouri, a British-
conspiracy to evade US sanctions and useful bargaining chip negotiations have negotiate talks that only a few yards away. The diplomats Iranian businessman, and Amas Amiri,
illegally export controlled technology. in a world in which focused on the led to a nuclear deal. were not allowed to see them. 34, an Iranian citizen who was working
The Foreign Office declined to Iran feels in a weak £300 million Iran says Iran has learnt that Evin has a longstanding reputation as an academic in Britain, have also
comment. The Australian government position, surrounded Britain owes it. Iran hostage-taking works, as an apparatus of political repression. been jailed there for spying. Morad
said that it was assisting the families of by hostile powers. appears to believe whatever the effect on Built by the former Shah of Iran in 1972 Tabhaz, a businessman with US, British
three Australians detained in Iran. Sometimes the that there is little to its reputation. to hold a select number of his most and Iranian passports who is accused of
Leading article, page 27 feared opponents, it was expanded after spying, is another inmate.
12
News
New fathers offered
more leave as firms
fight for best talent
Kaya Burgess
Major employers are striving to offer
the best paternity-leave deal in an
effort to recruit top talent and reduce
gender pay gaps, with the Zurich insur-
ance company the latest to promise
fathers a long spell of paid time off.
Campaigners say that companies are
realising they can win the fight to re-
cruit and retain staff by offering more
attractive parental-leave deals and
more flexibility in working patterns.
Zurich will announce today that all
new parents, including those who
adopt, will be entitled to 16 weeks’ leave
at full pay. There will also be paid leave
for parents of premature babies, those
going through IVF and those who have
a miscarriage.
In 2017 Aviva, Britain’s largest insur-
er, said that it would offer men and
women equal spells of paid parental
leave, with six months at full pay as an
independent entitlement.
A survey of 1,000 fathers conducted
for Zurich found that 72 per cent felt
they suffered when forced to return to
work a week or two after their child’s
birth. Unless their bosses top it up, new
fathers are entitled by law to a maxi-
mum of two weeks’ leave and £148.68
per week in pay. In the survey, 49 per
cent of fathers said they took 11 to 14
FGM Thursday September 12 2019 | the times
WEST ALVINGTON PARISH COUNCIL/APEX
days off, while 15 per cent said they took
no leave, with almost half of those say-
ing they could not afford to.
It is hoped that offering more pater-
nity leave and pay will make employers
less likely to discriminate against
women on the assumption they will
take much more time off for children.
Steve Collinson, head of HR at
Zurich, said most parental policies
were “written in the Eighties and Nine-
ties”, adding that “the make-up of fami-
lies and the world of work are very
different now”. He said: “We have a
clear goal, to make Zurich the most at-
tractive place to work . . . for the widest
possible range of people.”
All jobs were now advertised as built without permission application and said that 5 miles Dartmoor
“part-time, job-share or full-time with
flexible working”, leading to a 40 per
T-shirt boss’s at a Devon beauty spot
(Will Humphries writes).
the land must be restored
to its former condition.
National
Park
Torquay
cent increase in applications from
women for senior roles, he said, adding:
unofficial Sean Thomas, 56,
above, submitted a
Mr Thomas said that he
would appeal against the
Plymouth
“If people tell us they are more inclined
to stay with Zurich, our recruitment
skate park is retrospective change of
use application after a
decision but added: “My
family and I appreciate Gerston
costs go down.” on the skids neighbour complained to the special nature of Point Salcombe
Catherine Gregory, of the Working the council about the Gerston Point.”
T
Families charity, said: “Increasing pa- he millionaire structures built on Judy Pearce, of South T-shirts in 1985 from a
rental entitlement is going to be really founder of the farmland behind his Hams district council, van in a French ski resort
attractive. Firms are starting to under- White Stuff clifftop house at Gerston said: “What they’ve done before opening their first
stand that it improves the lives of em- fashion brand Point in the South Hams, isn’t acceptable.” shop in London in 1991.
ployees but also makes business sense.” faces having to an area of outstanding Mr Thomas and his White Stuff now has
The government has launched a tear down a tennis court, natural beauty. business partner started more than 115 shops in
consultation on improving “equality in skate park and garage Planners rejected the out selling printed Britain.
parental leave”.
the times | Thursday September 12 2019
diary@thetimes.co.uk | @timesdiary
Era of royal
accessibility
While researching his recent book
on the Mountbattens, Andrew
Lownie discovered a hitherto
unreported break-in at Buckingham
Palace almost exactly 70 years ago
in declassified archives of the
Metropolitan Police. On October 9,
1949 a chambermaid at the palace
woke to find a man lying beside her
bed. He had apparently climbed the
external wall, shinned up a builder’s
ladder through a first-floor window
and gone wandering in search of
the King, whom he wished to
interview. After this lapse, the
police naturally reviewed their
security and asked several officers
to try to climb in. The exercise was,
the report says, “alarmingly
successful”. Even the 48-year-old
chief superintendent got over the
wall in seconds “without undue
physical strain”, while another
officer did it with a painful boil on
his arm. It is surprising the police
didn’t just leave a sign on the palace
gate saying: “Key under the mat.”
One trusts it’s more secure now.
osborne in the deep end
George Osborne, one of the few
former Conservative chancellors
FGM
TMS
still to be in the Tory party, writes
in The Spectator about a lunch chez
Boris a couple of years ago where
his host challenged guests to a tug
of war across his swimming pool.
Losers took a dunking, fully
clothed. “That’s Johnson for you:
fun, inventive but ruthless,”
remarks Osborne, who I assume
ended lunch as one of the wets.
The broadcaster and author Emma
Barnett has a philosophical concern.
Asked by a women’s magazine for the
one thing that she would like to know
before she dies, Barnett reflects:
“What if the hokey cokey really is
what it’s all about?”
perks of prorogation
Geoffrey Cox, the treacle-voiced
attorney-general who provided the
thumbs-up for the extended
prorogation of parliament, has
found that it carries some benefits.
Asked a string of impertinent
written questions last week by the
Labour MP Ruth Jones about how
much he spends on nosh and first-
class travel, the clubbable minister
finally replied that “it has not
proved possible to respond in the
time available before prorogation”. A
terrible disappointment, no doubt.
John Bercow is already preparing for
life after parliament. On the evening
of October 31, the day when he is
standing down as Speaker, Bercow
has agreed to give a talk at the
Roehampton Club. Presumably, given
the club’s reputation for magnificent
tennis courts, much of his oration
will be about Roger Federer, the only
subject he loves more than himself.
driven to distraction
Margaret Atwood, above, may be a
passionate climate-change activist
but the author sees one upside in
environmental degradation. “The
audience for audiobooks has vastly
increased because of traffic jams,”
Atwood said at an all-star reading
of The Testaments, her latest book,
featuring Derek Jacobi. “People
who once only had radio in their
cars now listen to books.” It says
something when her dystopian
fiction is listened to as escapism
from the awfulness of a modern
commute.
patrick kidd
Tills are back at store
that baffled shoppers
Andrew Ellson
Consumer Affairs Correspondent
The advance of the machines has
faltered a step with Britain’s second
biggest supermarket reinstalling tills at
its first checkout-free store.
Sainsbury’s has put tills back at its
Holborn branch in central London just
three months after removing them
because customers were struggling
with the concept and then queueing at
the helpdesk, manned by a lone human.
The supermarket had introduced
shopping by smartphone at the store,
with customers having to download an
app and scan items themselves as they
picked them from the shelves.
The experiment resulted in long
queues at the helpdesk as shoppers
encountered problems with scanning
goods or tried to pay for their groceries
in the traditional way. Customers also
complained that they did not want to
use their mobile data downloading the
app and found logging into the store’s
wifi a lengthy process.
Sainsbury’s admitted that “not all our
customers are ready for a totally
till-free store”, adding: “Some custom-
ers preferred to pay with cash and card,
which sometimes meant that they
were queuing to use the helpdesk,
particularly at peak times of day. This is
why we’ve added a manned till and two
self-checkouts back into the store.”
When the tills were removed, the
supermarket had said: “We know our
13
News
customers value their time and many
want to shop as quickly as possible —
technology is key to that.”
The British Retail Consortium said it
was too early to suggest that stores were
reacting against machine technology
despite research suggesting that almost
two thirds of shoppers prefer a staffed
checkout. Nonetheless, B&Q, the DIY
chain, is in the process of removing all
self-service tills and Morrisons has
paused the wider introduction of its
machines after customers complained
they found them impersonal.
More than £3 billion of goods are esti-
mated to be stolen through Britain's
50,000 self service tills each year, with
almost one in four people admitting to
having taken at least one item without
paying for it. Studies have shown that
shops that use the tills experience
nearly double the average losses from
shoplifting.
Despite such concerns, Amazon is
increasing the number of its checkout-
free grocery stores in the US and plans
to open its first in London. The retailer
has 17 Amazon Go stores in America,
where shoppers scan their phones as
they enter, grab what they want and
then stroll out.They are billed using an
array of cameras and sensors tracking
their every move.
Sainsbury’s said that its Smart Shop
app was still operational in the Holborn
store and eight others. It did not say
whether it would expand the format
further.
14
News
Cabinet split over
return of duty-free
Rosie Taylor
The health secretary has criticised
Sajid Javid for promoting the return of
cheap duty-free cigarettes and alcohol
in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Matt Hancock suggested yesterday
that the chancellor’s announcement
contradicted government policy to cut
smoking and drinking.
The move, announced by Mr Javid
on Monday, will apply only if Britain
fails to reach a deal with the EU on
Brexit. He said it meant that tourists fly-
ing through Heathrow could save up to
£2.23 on a bottle of wine and Britons re-
turning from Europe could save more
than £12 on two crates of beer and up to
£11 on a box of 200 cigarettes.
The Treasury tweeted: “Duty-free
shopping with the EU is coming back, if
we leave without a deal. People travel-
ling to EU countries will be able to buy
beer, spirits, wine and tobacco without
duty being applied in the UK.” Mr Javid
said that the scheme would help people
“enjoy their hard-earned holidays”.
At Public Health England’s annual
conference at Warwick University, Mr
Hancock said that the proposal clashed
with health officials’ ambitions to make
Britain “smoke-free” by 2030 and
reduce drinking.
One conference delegate, Matthew
Ashton, the director of public health for
Sefton, Merseyside, asked the health
secretary why there were differences
between his plans for health and social
care and the Treasury’s position. Mr
Ashton said: “Your vision around
‘smoke-free by 2030’ is a very impor-
tant message but what’s coming out of
the Treasury is around post-Brexit and
duty-free availability and access to
cheap booze and fags and how great
that will be.”
Mr Hancock drew laughs from the
audience when he said heavily: “Yes, I
saw that tweet. I don’t think that the
return of duty-free was really seen from
within a public health context, shall we
say, before publication. Certainly, I
didn’t see it before publication.”
Indicating that he would be taking up
the issue with the Treasury, he told
delegates to “leave that one with me”.
Health experts echoed his concerns.
Katherine Severi, chief executive of the
Institute of Alcohol Studies, said that
the move would encourage people to
increase their consumption of health-
harming products, which “would effec-
tively tear up government policy on
public health”.
John Newton, director of health
improvement at Public Health Eng-
land, said: “Accessibility and affordabil-
ity makes a huge difference to con-
sumption of tobacco and alcohol and
that will remain our advice to govern-
ment.”
A Treasury spokesman said that the
return of duty-free with the EU would
mean that travellers could buy goods
under the same rules as people going to
and from non-EU countries.
FGM Thursday September 12 2019 | the times
IAN WEST/PA
63,000 badgers
to be shot in
extended cull
Ben Webster Environment Editor
The biggest ever badger cull will take
place this autumn, with up to 63,000
being shot in an effort to protect cattle
from bovine tuberculosis.
Farmers in 11 new areas have been
given government licences. The cull
will continue in 29 areas where 32,000
badgers were shot last year.
Wildlife activists and several leading
vets say that the cull is failing. The num-
ber of cattle slaughtered because of TB
rose from 33,000 in 2013, when badger
culling began, to 45,000 in 2017-18.
George Eustice, the farming minis-
ter, said the disease cost taxpayers more
than £100 million a year and that he was
committed to “a multipronged
approach, including . . . tighter cattle
controls, improved biosecurity and
badger vaccination”.
Carrie Symonds, the prime minister’s
partner, has welcomed the decision to
spare badgers in Derbyshire, which has
the largest badger vaccination scheme.
An independent government review
into the cull advised last year against an
“overemphasis” on targeting wildlife.
Experts involved suggested that data
showed a modest effect on curbing TB.
The Wildlife Trusts called for a cattle
vaccine to be the priority. The Badger
Trust described the cull as a disgrace.
6 Ministers have ordered a review into
Spin star Monty Panesar, the former England cricketer, joined celebrities making the release of game birds near conser-
deals at the annual BGC charity day at Canary Wharf, London, in memory of vation sites after a legal challenge by
colleagues killed on 9/11. The company’s revenues for the day are donated the BBC broadcaster Chris Packham.
the times | Thursday September 12 2019 FGM 15

News
STEWART IDE/SWNS

migrants to set sail this
107 migrants a day weekend as calm seas
are forecast.
More than 1,200
risking Channel people have tried to
cross the Channel in
Border Force detained migrants, including the rise in crossings.
a group who landed
in Kent, while a
man was rescued
three children.
One man was
airlifted to
“Smugglers say to
migrants, ‘If the UK
leaves the EU, you will
from a kayak
close to Calais
hospital; the
rest were
not ever be able to cross
the Channel.’ It’s a lie,

to beat Brexit small boats this year,

336 of them last month.
Only 75 migrants have
They were
taken to
taken to
Ramsgate in
Kent. On
because it won’t change
anything,” he said.
Lucy Moreton, of the
been returned to Europe Dover, given a Tuesday 86 Immigration Services

T
wo boats total of 107 migrants since January. medical migrants were Union, said migrants
carrying 21 have attempted the Border Force examination found at sea or paid up to £10,000 to
migrants were perilous crossing in just intercepted a small boat and handed to on the Sussex smugglers: “They will
intercepted in over 24 hours as people that was said to be close immigration coast a record
coast, keep coming. We saw a
the Channel smugglers tell them to to sinking in poor officers. for one day. peak just before the
yesterday after a record get to Britain before conditions at about About six hours Pierre-Henri March 31 Brexit
number made the Brexit. 1.30am yesterday and later Border Force Dumont the MP for
Dumont, deadline with the same
journey the day before The authorities are found eight men, who intercepted another Calais, blamed “fake rumours as now, that
(Richard Ford writes). A expecting more said they were Iranians. dinghy and found 13 news” about Brexit for the border will close.”

Teenager stabbed on street pushes Briton dies

murder rate in capital above 2018
John Simpson Crime Correspondent
The murder of a teenage student who
was stabbed in broad daylight has
pushed the rate of violent deaths in the
capital this year above that of 2018,
according to analysis by The Times.
Youssef Karim Hasan Al-Bayjani, 17,
was mobbed and knifed on the street
outside a fast-food outlet on Edgware
Road, central London, at lunchtime on
Tuesday. He was the seventh teenager
to be murdered in London in a month
and his death is the 104th in 2019 up to
September 11, compared with 103 to the
same date last year.
Twelve murders in the two weeks
from August 26 have put London on
course to surpass last year’s total, which
was the highest in a decade, and call
into question Scotland Yard’s claims
that increased use of Section 60 stop
and search tactics has turned the tide
on violent crime.
The Section 60 orders allow officers
to frisk anybody in designated areas,
without reasonable suspicion.
The Times data show spikes in the
numbers of murders and manslaugh-
ters in the boroughs of Newham, which
has had nine this year compared with
two last year, and Camden, which rose
from two to seven.
Although the overall rate has out-
stripped last year, the six worst bor-
oughs last year have recorded decreas-
es in violent deaths. In Southwark,
where there were 12 murders by this
time last year, there have been five and
in Barking and Dagenham the figure
has dropped from six to zero.
Youssef’s last moments were cap-
tured on a closed-circuit television
camera. A gang surrounded him on the
busy high street just before 2pm. At
least two of the group lunged at him
and he tried to run away. He was rushed
to hospital but died of his injuries just
before 7.30pm.
Floral tributes have been left at the
scene, which was still cordoned off
yesterday. A friend who left flowers said
that the City of Westminster College
student had been protecting her from a
group of boys half an hour before he
was knifed.
The girl, who did not want to be
named, said: “He had a really good
heart. On the day some boys were
Youssef Karim
Hasan Al-Bayjani
died on Tuesday
trying to mess with me; he stopped
them and that was just about half an
hour before it happened.
“We’re just praying that this has to
stop. No one can really grieve because
you just have to pretend it hasn’t
happened.”
A relative of Youssef, who also asked
not to be named, said: “He was studying
business and wanted to go to uni. He’s
an angel and he’s in heaven now, a
better place than here.”
The Met said that in the year to
August 23, which excludes the recent
spate of killings, 411 fewer people had
been injured by knives, a fall of 20 per
cent on last year. It said that overall
knife crime with injury was down by
13 per cent, meaning 644 fewer victims,
and that gun crime was also down, by 14
per cent.
Commander David Musker, who
leads the force’s frontline policing,
praised the courage of victims’ families
and said: “We are confident that vio-
lence isn’t merely being displaced to
other areas due to police intervention,
but is effectively disrupted through
targeted and intelligence led activity.
The use of Section 60 means that after
a stabbing retaliatory incidents are
prevented, stopping further violence.”
in skydiving
accident
David Brown, Sebastian Mann
A British skydiver was killed when a
jump went wrong near the Grand Can-
yon on the eve of his 56th birthday.
Christopher Swales, from Harrogate,
was on holiday in America when he
took part in a tandem free fall with an
instructor on Sunday.
The instructor suffered a broken leg
when the pair hit the ground in a “hard
landing” after getting into difficulties in
the final stages of the descent. Mr
Swales, who ran a joinery company, was
declared dead in hospital.
His daughter, Emma, said: “As a
family we need time to grieve.”
Mr Swales had bought a skydiving
package from Paragon Skydive, a com-
pany at the Grand Canyon National
Park airport.
Coconino County sheriff’s office said
in a statement: “The skydive reportedly
had been going as planned until they
encountered difficulties when ap-
proaching the landing area.”
Police are investigating but have said

Grindr killer spoke to victim’s worried teenage daughter
Fariha Karim
A murderer killed an actor who he had
met on Grindr then impersonated him
when the man’s 14-year-old daughter
phoned to check that he was all right.
Gerald Matovu was jailed for life,
with a minimum of 31 years, yesterday.
He had met Eric Michels using the dat-
ing app Grindr and giving him a lethal
dose of the drug GHB to steal his bank
card and other belongings.
A trial at the Old Bailey was told that
the body of Mr Michels, 54, who had an
uncredited role in the Bond film Skyfall,
was found by his daughter at his home
in Chessington, Surrey. She had sent a
text and texted again the following day
when she got no reply.
She then received a reply saying,
“hello hun I’m a little busy talk soon”,
which she could tell had not come from
her father. She phoned and a man’s
voice answered and hung up. She
visited her father’s home with family
members and discovered him lifeless in
bed, “with blood and bile coming from
his mouth”, her mother Diane said.
Mr Michels’s daughter, now 15, who
cannot be named for legal reasons, said
in a statement: “I’ll never forget the
moment when a disgusting man
answered my dad’s phone and pretend-
ed to be my dad. I knew it wasn’t my
lovely dad and the memory and shock
of it is still with me every day.”
Matovu, 26, of Southwark, south
London, who now identifies as a
woman, met Mr Michels via Grindr in
August last year. The actor and former
Scottish and Southern Energy execu-
tive was one of 12 men Matovu and his
lover, Brandon Dunbar, 24, of Forest
Gate, east London, had targeted over a
19-month period.
Matovu was also the drug dealer of
the serial killer Stephen Port, 44, a chef
who targeted victims using Grindr, kill-
ing four with GHB. Matovu was found
guilty of Mr Michels’s murder and 38
other offences. Dunbar was convicted
of 23 offences and jailed for 18 years.
there are “no indications” that the
incident was of a criminal nature.
Paragon Skydive offers jumps over
the Grand Canyon from $299 for a
basic experience and up to $479 for the
“extreme experience”.
A Foreign Office spokesman con-
firmed that it was supporting the man’s
family. “Our thoughts are with them at
this difficult time,” he added.
Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration, told the
Arizona Republic newspaper that the
FAA would investigate and because it
was a tandem jump, look into “whether
the instructor had the required experi-
ence and credentials”.
16 FGM Thursday September 12 2019 | the times

News
CHARLOTTE GRAHAM; THE ARTS COUNCIL
Gifts this year included
Chippendale tables,
Donate art to cut Mask CCXXI by the
British artist John
Stezaker and a reliquary
tax bill, firms told from Renaissance Italy

over a branch of the

E
mbattled panel, said that large Sackler family’s
museums companies had not involvement with
and galleries participated in the the sale of opioids in
could get a cultural gifts scheme, the US has resulted
helping hand which has been in the suspension of
if big business made credited with providing gifts from family
use of an art donation institutions outside members.
tax break, it has been London with treasures In February Sir
suggested (David they would not be able Nicholas Serota, the
Sanderson writes). to afford on the open chairman of Arts
Edward Harley, who market. Council England,
chairs the This year’s report which administers
government’s reveals that objects the scheme, said that
acceptance in lieu with a total value of organisations needed
to get better at
£60 million have been to use the explaining the
given as gifts. They scheme and so benefits of
include portraits by contribute to philanthropy.
Rubens and Hogarth, a protecting He said
Damien Hirst the UK’s that the
sculpture, Chippendale cultural tax
furniture and the heritage.” incentives
archives of Clement Corporate to encourage
Attlee and Tony Benn. philanthropy in gifts could be
Mr Harley said in the cultural world simplified and,
this year’s report that has been under comparing Britain
only companies that scrutiny. Activists and to the US, bemoaned
deal in art or are artists object to BP’s the absence of a “civic
owned by artists have involvement with the tradition” of giving.
used the scheme. “We British Museum and Individuals can
would welcome National Portrait also donate under
take-up from larger Gallery, among the scheme to
corporations,” he said. others, and reduce
“We hope that more the inheritance
companies will choose controversy tax bills.

Freelancers could
win reprieve over
offshore schemes
David Byers
Assistant Personal Finance Editor
Freelancers who took advantage of tax
avoidance schemes could be spared
penalties worth billions of pounds after
the chancellor ordered an independent
review into the government’s policy to
pursue them.
Self-employed locum nurses, IT con-
tractors, management consultants and
other freelancers face fines totalling
£3.2 billion after signing up to so-called
disguised remuneration schemes to
minimise their tax burden going back
more than 20 years.
HM Revenue & Customs believes
that 50,000 workers have, since 1999,
used offshore “umbrella” companies to
collect fees on their behalf. These
companies then paid the freelancers in
non-repayable loans to disguise their
income tax and national insurance
obligations. Many have said they
signed up to the schemes because they
were told to do so by their employers,
who also avoided tax.
Politicians, lawyers and campaigners
have argued that HMRC has acted
improperly in pursuing many of those
who used such schemes. A House of
Lords committee including the former
chancellors Lord Darling of Roulanish
and Lord Lamont of Lerwick accused
the department last year of targeting
people from whom it could most easily
recover liabilities and “devastating the
lives of middle and lower-income
individuals” with huge demands.
Sajid Javid said last night that Sir
Amyas Morse, former head of the
National Audit Office, would carry out
a two-month independent review of
the policy. Analysts expect Sir Amyas to
conclude that many of those who face
the loan charge — a huge retrospective
penalty levied at those who had not
voluntarily come forward to settle by
April 5 — should not have to pay.
Experts suggested that Sir Amyas’s
review could go further, examining
more broadly the way HMRC has pur-
sued all workers accused of disguised
remuneration schemes. The 7,000
workers who have already reached
settlements with HMRC to pay the tax
they owe, totalling £1.5 billion — before
the loan charge itself was introduced —
may also have their cases revisited.
Tax experts said that those who had
agreed resettlement plans should con-
tinue with repayments until the Morse
review had finished. “This is a major
climbdown,” George Bull, senior tax
partner at the accountancy firm RSM,
said. “HMRC have been under huge
amounts of pressure, both from MPs
and from the House of Lords, to revisit
how this is being implemented.”
The Treasury said the review would
“consider whether the policy is an ap-
propriate way of dealing with disguised
remuneration loan schemes used by
individuals who entered directly into
these schemes to avoid paying tax”.
It added that Sir Amyas would report
back to ministers by mid-November.
The Loan Charge Action Group
campaigners demanded that HMRC
stop pursuing all freelancers with
demand notices until the review has
been concluded.
Clive Gawthorpe, a partner at the
accountants UHY Hacker Young, said:
“This news comes too late for many
taxpayers who have had to sell their
home and other assets to pay HMRC,
but better late than never.”
the times | Thursday September 12 2019
Sparky, humane and often hilarious, Ayckbourn’s 83rd play is a gem
Theatre Dominic Maxwell
Birthdays Past, Birthdays
Present
Stephen Joseph Theatre,
Scarborough
HHHHI
It’s quite possible that Alan
Ayckbourn will never again write a
fully achieved tragicomic classic of
the sort that used to migrate annually
from his base in Scarborough to the
West End and beyond. Yet if, at the
age of 80, he can still turn out flawed
but fabulously entertaining gems such
as this, let’s be thrilled that the great
man is still in business.
Northern white rhino takes
a baby step back from brink
Jane Flanagan
Ambitions to save the northern white
rhino from extinction have been fur-
thered with the creation of two viable
embryos that will be transferred to sur-
rogates.
Scientists announced the historic
advance yesterday in a conservation
effort that has taken years and spanned
continents.
The northern white rhino was
thought to be doomed when Sudan, the
last male, was put down at the age of
about 45 in March last year at the
Ol Pejeta reserve in northern Kenya.
He was survived by the last two females
in the world: his daughter, Najin, 30,
and her daughter, Fatu, 19, who had
been unable to become pregnant.
Instead, eggs were harvested from
the pair last month at Ol Pejeta, where
they live under 24-hour armed guard.
The eggs were flown to a laboratory in
Italy and fertilised with sperm taken
from some of the species’ last males
before their deaths. Viable embryos
were produced from two of Fatu’s eggs
and the sperm of Suni, who died at the
reserve in 2014, aged 34.
Richard Vigne, the managing direct-
or of Ol Pejeta, hailed yesterday’s news
as a “major step” in saving the species,
which is known to conservationists as
“the living dead”. The embryos will be
implanted into the wombs of southern
white rhinos, a subspecies still found in
large numbers in South Africa, Zim-
babwe and Botswana.
Last month a southern white rhino
calf was born at the San Diego Zoo Sa-
fari Park using hormone-induced ovu-
lation and artificial insemination. The
more those techniques are honed, the
more feasible it becomes that one of
these rhinos could eventually carry a
northern white rhino to term, about 16
months, scientists said. The two north-
ern white rhino embryos will now be
frozen while the technique is perfected.
Scientists hope that the first north-
ern white rhino calf since Fatu will be
born before she and Najin die, and ide-
ally live with them in Kenya to learn the
species’ behaviours. Life expectancy is
thought to be between 40 and 50 years.
Not everyone believes that the effort
is worthwhile. Critics question whether
the adventure around resurrecting a
functionally extinct beast takes atten-
tion and investment away from other
endangered species with greater chan-
ces of survival. Frank Göritz, from the
FGM
It’s play No 83 — more than twice Micky promptly warns her that
as many as that laggard Shakespeare Adrian’s sexual demands may prove
managed — and it’s one of too much for her. Too much for any
Ayckbourn’s sparkiest efforts for woman, to judge from his sexual
years. Birthdays Past, Birthdays Present history. The unquenchable Casanova
is a sort of British sex farce: there’s no in question is a heavyset bookkeeper
sex in it and it moves in reverse. Yes, in glasses and sensible clothes. And as
the idea of a play going backwards in Ayckbourn drops seemingly
time isn’t box-fresh; these four scenes casual mentions of past
trace back over four decades of parties into the first scene
malfunctioning family birthday that he goes on to
parties in a way that offers a faint dramatise in the next
echo of Pinter’s Betrayal. However, three, we find out
Ayckbourn’s clear-sighted yet tolerant what Adrian’s sex life
way with characters who yo-yo has really been.
between the reticent and the Ayckbourn keeps
overbearing is all his own.
Micky and Meg are celebrating Jamie Baughan,
Micky’s 80th birthday at their home. left, and Russell
Their fiftysomething son, Adrian, Dixon are fabulous
arrives with his meek new girlfriend. as son and father
Najin, 30, lives under guard at Ol Pejeta reserve, Kenya. She and her daughter Fatu, 19, are the last white rhinos in the world
How science helped nature
Sperm from some of Eggs and sperm were flown Eggs were collected
the species’ last males to a laboratory in Italy, where from Najin and her
was collected and the eggs were fertilised (IVF) daughter Fatu, the last
frozen before they died two surviving females
Two viable embryos were produced
These will be
implanted into southern
white rhino surrogates
Leibniz Institute in Germany, who is much knowledge, and we used techno-
part of the global group of scientists logy that we can now apply way earlier
working on the project, believes that it for other endangered species before
will serve other conservation efforts. they reach this situation.”
“It’s not only about saving the north- The project still faces significant
ern white rhino,” he said. “We gained so scientific challenges and questions of
the laugh-out-loud observations
coming at about the same rate as the
rueful ones. He remains a master at
having sympathetic fun with non-
achievement, at finding the flipside of
our archetypes: here, the great lover
who is nothing of the sort.
Kevin Jenkins’s adaptable set earns
applause during scene changes as, say,
a swish chaise longue turns
into a teenage boy’s bed
topped with a Star Wars
duvet cover. And
Ayckbourn’s
production features
four fabulous
performances. Jamie
Baughan holds the
show together as the
voluble but vulnerable
Adrian. Russell
ALAMY
ethics. The calves that may be born
from Fatu’s eggs and the lack of genetic
diversity could make it impossible to
create a viable breeding population.
There are five rhino species, of which
black and white rhinos are found in
Africa. With no natural predators,
northern white rhino once roamed in
their thousands across the plains that
stretch along the southern edge of the
Sahara, including in Uganda, the Cen-
tral African Republic, Sudan and Chad.
They have hairier ears and smaller
bodies than their relatives, and some
researchers have argued that the
northern white rhino should be consid-
ered a separate species.
Modern rhinos have walked the
Earth for 26 million years. As recently
as the mid-19th century there were
more than one million in Africa. The
western black rhino was declared
extinct in 2011. Demand for rhino horn
for use in Chinese medicine fuelled
poaching that led to them being wiped
out in large parts of their habitat in the
1980s and 1970s.
17
News
Dixon and Jemma Churchill start
centre stage as the parents before
becoming lively supporting players.
And Naomi Petersen is outstanding
as Adrian’s four love interests through
the decades. Her tittering work as the
self-knowingly nervous new girlfriend
in particular is a kind of masterpiece.
I mentioned flaws and, yes, it feels
one last draft away from perfection.
Most scenes could do with a prune,
and we learn more about how
Adrian’s sex life has evolved, or failed
to, than why. Still, it’s all too richly
funny and humane for that to bother
us.
Plays 84, 85 and 86 are already in
the bag too, we’re told. Ayckbourn
remains a phenomenon.
Box office: 01723 370541, to October 5,
then touring to November 16
Care in Italy
for girl with
brain damage
‘against law’
David Brown
The parents of a brain-damaged girl
who want her to receive life-support
treatment in Italy have been accused of
trying to “drive a coach and horses”
through British law by a hospital that
says she should be allowed to die.
The dispute over Tafida Raqeeb’s
treatment was not a choice between
pizza or shepherd’s pie, Katie Gollop,
QC, for the Royal London Hospital in
Whitechapel, told the High Court.
Tafida, five, from Newham, east
London, contracted a rare brain condi-
tion in February, and is in a coma. Doc-
tors say she has permanent brain dam-
age and there is no chance of recovery.
They want the court to rule that ending
life-support is in her best interests.
Tafida’s mother, Shelina Begum, 39, a
solicitor, and father, Mohammed Raq-
eeb, 45, a construction consultant, want
to move her to Gaslini children’s hospi-
tal in Genoa, where doctors are pre-
pared to continue her treatment.
Lawyers acting on behalf of Tafida
Tafida Raqeeb has
irreversible brain
damage, doctors in
London have said
say the youngster has been denied her
right to elect to receive medical care in
another European state. A Saudi prince
had offered to pay for Tafida’s treat-
ment and cover legal costs.
Ms Gollop, representing the NHS
trust that runs the Royal London Hos-
pital, told the court that the legal action
was an attempt to “drive a coach and
horses” through the legal jurisdiction of
England and Wales. “It is an attempt to
limit the jurisdiction of this country by
the application of EU law,” she said.
Tafida might be able to “hear a little”,
but could not breathe for herself and
could not “experience touch” in large
parts of her body, she added. Ms Gollop
said Tafida’s right to free movement
had to be balanced against her right not
to suffer degrading treatment.
Vikram Sachdeva, QC, leading Tafi-
da’s legal team, told the court: “When
you drill down it is based on differing
views of what quality of life Tafida has.
Clinicians [in England] don’t think she
has a quality of life. Her parents do.”
The case continues.
18
News
BA’s Heathrow flight monopoly ‘inflates air fares’
Graeme Paton Transport Correspondent
A British Airways monopoly on flights
at Heathrow is probably pushing up the
cost of flying, a study has concluded.
Passengers may be paying up to
10 per cent more in fares because of the
lack of competition at the airport, its
report, published today, said.
The consultancy WPI Economics
argued that International Airlines
Group, BA’s parent company, has a
stranglehold on landing slots that
means many passengers have no choice
but to fly with BA or one of its sister
airlines.
Its report said that 77 routes in and
out of the airport, which is the largest in
Europe, were in effect a monopoly held
by IAG, which holds 55 per cent of all
slots at Heathrow. About 18.5 million
passenger fly on the routes each year.
The study, which was commissioned
by Virgin Atlantic, one of BA’s biggest
long-haul rivals, said the construction
of a third runway at Heathrow should
be used as an opportunity to create
more competition.
The capacity of the airport is set to
expand by half when a new runway is
built, possibly as early as 2026.
IAG, which also owns Iberia, Aer
Lingus and the budget carrier Vueling,
said the report had used a flawed and
biased methodology. It also said that
Virgin had failed to take advantage of
opportunities to expand at Heathrow,
latterly in 2016 when large numbers of
slots were taken by BA. Virgin leases
some landing space it owns to other
airlines including IAG.
The conclusions will draw yet more
attention to BA, which has been ac-
cused of putting profit over quality. Last
year, the airline made almost £2 billion
in profit, contributing the majority of its
parent group’s annual profit.
It is embroiled in an industrial dis-
pute with its pilots, who are striking in
an attempt to win a share of the profits.
Members of the British Airline Pilots’
FGM
Association held a walkout on Monday
and Tuesday, grounding almost all of
the carrier’s flight for 48 hours.
Disruption continued into yesterday
and a small number of cancellations are
expected today because aircraft and
flight crews have been left at the wrong
airports by the strikes.
Rupert Younger, the founder and
director of Oxford university’s centre
for corporate reputation, criticised the
leadership of Alex Cruz, the chief
executive of BA, who was hired from
Vueling.
“BA does not seem to care about its
reputation anymore,” Mr Younger. “Its
strategy, led by the former low-cost
operator Alex Cruz, seems to be ‘profits
before passengers’. ”
The WPI report said international
evidence suggested that passengers
typically paid up to 10 per cent more for
their flights when an airline had no
competition from a rival carrier. It said
that a return flight from Heathrow to
Tube drivers say noisy tracks
risk damaging their hearing
Graeme Paton
London Underground drivers are
threatening to take industrial action
because of concerns that noise on the
Tube poses a health hazard.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and
Transport (RMT) union could work to
rule on four of the busiest lines. The
union accused Tube managers of fail-
ing to tackle the problem. Drivers have
already been given ear protectors to
offset the risk of damage.
Research last year found that the
noise on some lines could be higher
than that caused by a pneumatic drill or
chainsaw at close range. Academics at
University College London said that
the Central Line between Liverpool
Street and Bethnal Green and the
Northern Line between Camden Town
and Euston were loudest, reaching al-
most 109dB. The researchers, working
with the BBC, said it was loud enough to
damage people’s hearing.
Transport for London (TfL) said it
I N T H E T I M E S T O M O R ROW
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MAIN PAPER
Thursday September 12 2019 | the times
Osaka, Japan, cost £838 with BA but
that this could be reduced to £754 with
competition.
The report added that the proportion
of routes lacking any competition to
IAG airlines had increased from 18 per
cent in 2015 to 39 per cent this year.
Matthew Oakley, a former treasury
economist who co-wrote the report,
said: “Heathrow expansion presents a
unique opportunity to boost competi-
tion, lower fares and increase choice for
UK air passengers.”
Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines,
which owns 49 per cent of the British
carrier, have 7 per cent of Heathrow
slots.
IAG said it welcomed competition
but added: “Virgin had the opportunity
to increase its slot share at Heathrow to
19.7 per cent [in 2016] by buying slots,
but it chose not to do so.
“The airline has failed to create more
competition at the airport.”
Letters, page 26
was taking action, including grinding
rails to remove corrugation — ridges or
grooves that can increase noise. It has a
programme to replace worn rails and
use lubrication to reduce wheel noise.
However, the RMT said this fell short
of measures needed to improve work-
ing conditions for drivers. It balloted
748 members and said yesterday that
95 per cent voted in favour of industrial
action, which could start in two weeks.
Action is likely to take the form of re-
fusing to work overtime, potentially
leading to driver shortages, although
the RMT has only a fraction of London
Underground drivers. Aslef, the biggest
drivers’ union, is not taking part.
Mick Cash, the RMT’s general secre-
tary, said: “We welcome the fact that
union pressure has secured some
progress but it has been too slow.”
TfL said: “The health and safety of
our staff and customers is our first
priority . . . We look forward to working
together to make sure that drivers are as
comfortable as possible.”
SPORT
THE RETURN OF
CHRIS EUBANK
. . . as a sheriff
in the US
MAIN PAPER
ARTS
DOWNTON ABBEY
Julian Fellowes on
his TV series and
new film
PULLOUT
the times | Thursday September 12 2019 FGM 19

News
The designer Michael Kors, with a comprised jacket, skirt
signed off New collection that retooled and — wait for it —
York Fashion
Week in classic
style and made
Kors checks out with many of his greatest hits.
Not that there was any
matching bra. What could
have been a prim polkadot
contradiction there. Key to pussybow blouse became a
a political point
on one outfit
a piece of cherry pie the allure of Kors is
that he represents the
party-ready playsuit.
The choice of venue
personification of the on the Brooklyn
assorted varieties of American dream. shoreline was a nod to
Anna Murphy preppiness and a dress No one does plaid his immigrant great-
covered in crystal cherries. tailoring better than grandmother,
fashion director “If you are having an Kors, or ruffles, whose own
American picnic you and both were out American dream

H
ow apt that on always have cherry pie,” in force. No one was to move
the final day of Kors said before the show, is better at there from the
New York a point underlined by the injecting an slums of the
Fashion Week Young People’s Chorus of unapologetically Lower East Side.
yesterday New York, who sang uptown “This show is a
Michael Kors chose to American Pie as the aesthetic with celebration of
celebrate the American models walked the runway. some downtown the mosaic that
dream, by way of star- The designer also fun. His three- is New York,” he
spangled everything, celebrated all things piece suits said.

Fireman Sam axed as

brigade’s mascot for
putting off women
Neil Johnston Midlands Correspondent
A fire brigade has dropped Fireman
Sam as its mascot amid fears that the
character was not inclusive enough and
might discourage women from joining.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service
said it had decided to remove the char-
acter from its promotional material
after receiving negative feedback.
Fireman Sam was used to encourage
recruitment and promote fire station
open days. However, the service is aim-
ing to recruit more women and said
that it had received complaints from
staff members and the public.
The children’s television series, set in
the Welsh village of Pontypandy, was
created in the 1980s by two former
London firefighters. It now features a
female firefighter, Penny Morris.
In recent years programme makers
had faced accusations of sexism and in
2017 a campaign began to rename the
series Firefighter Sam. In March this
year London fire brigade criticised
the programme, and another
children’s television show, Peppa
Pig, for using the term “fireman”.
According to official data, in
2017 women accounted for on-
ly 5.2 per cent of firefighters
in England. The Lincoln-
shire brigade said it hoped
that changing its mascot would
ensure that everyone was en-
couraged to become a firefighter.
Les Britzman, Lincolnshire’s
chief fire officer, said the mascot
was “outdated” and that the fire
service had difficulties in recruit-
The use of the character had
attracted staff complaints
ing women.
“We haven’t banned Fireman Sam,”
he said. “What we were saying is after
complaints we’ve decided it’s no longer
appropriate to use that image in our
promotional material. We’re not here
to pander to people’s views — or pander
to Piers Morgan’s views.” Morgan had
criticised the move by the fire brigade
yesterday on television.
Mr Britzman added that the charac-
ter gave the impression that only men
could become firefighters and that it
was not representative of the Lincoln-
shire brigade’s culture and ethos.
About recruitment, he said: “It really
is an issue in Lincolnshire. We struggle
to recruit on-call staff.”
Research had shown that women did
not want to apply to the fire brigade, he
said, and that characters such as Fire-
man Sam had an impact on people
“from an early age” and could influence
their career choices.
The move was heavily criticised
on social media. One Twitter user
said: “This increasing desire to
remove men from being role
models is getting ridiculous.”
Another added: “They’ve really
axed Fireman Sam for being a
male? This is the world our
children are growing up in!
Being male is now a
problem?”
London Fire Brigade
supported the move. “The
use of the outdated term
fireman ingrains especially in
the young that it is a male-on-
ly role,” it said. “We’ve been
called firefighters for 30 years
and just ask everyone to call us
our job title.”
the times | Thursday September 12 2019 FGM 21

News
TIMES PHOTOGRAPHER JACK HILL

A portrait of the Eliot’s novel Romola.

Botticelli that got Renaissance
soldier-poet
Michele Marullo
Marullo was renowned
for his military prowess
as well as for his poetry
away arrives in UK could fetch
£30 million in a
and literary translations.
In the catalogue of the
London art sale sale, the art historian

A
famed
Botticelli
painting is
finally in
Britain a
century after one of the
country’s greatest art
dealers failed to buy it
and lamented it as “the
one that got away”
(David Sanderson
writes).
The portrait of
Michele Marullo, the
soldier-poet of the
Renaissance, is one of
the highlights of this
year’s Frieze Masters art
fair in London. Its
owners hope to sell it for
at least £30 million.
The work is billed by
Trinity Fine Art as the
last Botticelli in private
hands outside Italy,
although any potential
buyer will still have to
negotiate with Spain for
an export licence. For
the last century the Carl Strehlke said it was
painting has been owned unusual for the artist to
by the Cambó family paint older men.
after it was bought in “Botticelli’s other
Paris from under the known male portraits
nose of the British are mostly of golden
collector Joseph youth,” he writes.
Duveen. “Good-looking young
Duveen, who died in men who were part of
1939, became a the many brigades of
philanthropist and his revellers that
name adorns art surrounded the young
institutions. He Lorenzo and Giuliano
lamented his failure to de’ Medici.”
buy the portrait that The sellers hope the
captures the brooding portrait will fetch at
Renaissance figure. least £30 million thanks
The portrait of to its quality and rarity
Marullo — the only and because, unlike
known one — is thought other works, it is
to have been “entirely by Botticelli’s
commissioned by his hand”. The record price
widow, Alessandra for the artist at auction
Scala, after he drowned was set in 2013 when the
in 1500. The couple have so-called Rockefeller
assumed legendary Madonna sold for
status after being used $10.4 million. The art
as the basis for the main fair is in Regent’s Park
characters in George from October 3-6.

I’m not changing it, says singer

after ‘racist’ 60s hit is banned
Matthew Moore Media Correspondent was shocked,” she said. “It took years to a Chinese man. “They didn’t even both-
suddenly decide in this politically er to look up the lyrics,” she said.
The lead singer of the Sixties pop group correct time that we live in that it was Ofcom ruled that “Chinkies” was an
Blue Mink has vowed to continue an offensive and racist record. With unacceptable slur against the Chinese.
performing their single Melting Pot everything that we’ve got to worry Bell said, however, that she had per-
despite a ruling that the song’s lyrics are about in this world, we’re worrying formed the song thousands of times,
racist. about the lyrics of a protest song about including to East Asian audiences,
Madeline Bell, 77, criticised the making coffee-coloured people. without a complaint. “I’m not going to
“politically correct” culture that “This is the kind of age we live in. change it now,” she added.
led Ofcom, the media regulator, in The song is 50 years old. Please leave Bell noted that Boris Johnson was
effect to ban the track from British it alone. I just think it’s ridiculous.” allowed to swear in the Commons last
airwaves. Melting Pot begins: “Take a pinch week but radio listeners were deemed
A golden oldies radio station of white man, wrap him up in black not mature enough to cope with out-
agreed to delete the 1969 hit from skin, add a touch of blue blood and dated language in a song about racial
its playlist permanently last a little bitty bit of Red Indian boy.” unity. She said: “He’s allowed to say that
month after the watchdog, acting Ofcom took particular excep- in parliament but we’re not allowed to
on one complaint, deemed the tion to the next line: “Oh, curly Lat- say ‘mixed with yellow Chinkies’. At the
lyrics to be offensive. in kinkies, mixed with yellow Chink- time we recorded that it wasn’t offen-
The British band’s song is a ies.” Bell, who is African-American, sive.”
plea for racial harmony but said that the regulator had misheard Melting Pot was Blue Mink’s debut
includes references to “yellow the words, which she sings as “curly, single, reaching No 3 in the charts.
Chinkies”, a “Red Indian boy” black and kinky” — a reference to her Herbie Flowers, 81, the band’s bassist,
and “coffee-coloured people”. hair. also criticised the ruling. “I suppose we
Bell, a soul singer born in The line imagines a romantic were just rather naive musicians,” he
America who performs Blue encounter between a black woman and said. “Racism and sexism were not part
Mink songs as part of her solo of our consciousness then. People
act, said that she was Madeline Bell said that Ofcom had didn’t say ‘what terrible lyrics’. They
astonished by the Ofcom ruling. “I misheard the lyrics to Melting Pot thought it was rather catchy.”

Paxman wants cigarette tax to fund litter fight

Ben Webster Environment Editor
Jeremy Paxman will call today for a tax
on cigarettes to fund an anti-litter
campaign and accuse the “utterly
useless” environment department of
failing to prevent Britain from turning
into “a rubbish dump”.
The broadcaster, 69, who is patron of
the campaign group Clean Up Britain,
will describe civil servants as “time-
serving jobsworths” and attack minis-
ters for relying on the charity Keep
Britain Tidy, an “even more useless
organisation”, to fight the problem.
In a speech at a waste industry con-
ference in Birmingham, Paxman calls
for a 0.5p levy on each cigarette to fund
a £155 million campaign using posters
to show the harm that litter does to
animals. Research for Clean Up Britain
has found this is the most effective way
to change the behaviour of men aged
between 16 and 25, who drop the most
litter.
Cigarettes butts are the most com-
mon form of litter, found on 79 per cent
of 7,200 sites surveyed last year.
Paxman suggests that the reason
young people are not in the “slightest
bothered” that councils have to spend
£1 billion a year cleaning up litter is that
so many live with their parents and do
not pay council tax.
He also calls on drive-through res-
taurants such as McDonald’s to install
number plate recognition cameras to
catch drivers who drop rubbish.
He criticises Highways England for
signing a “half-baked, useless contract”
with a private company that is meant to
clean up verges but faces no financial
penalties for failing to do so.
He also notes that litter has increased
by 500 per cent since Keep Britain Tidy
was founded in 1954, saying: “But it is
not Keep Britain Tidy which has turned
this country into a rubbish dump. It’s us.
The only way to change things is to
change how people behave.”
The environment department said
Jeremy Paxman that it welcomed anyone who wanted
says behaviour to fight the problem, adding: “We all
needs to change have a responsibility to tackle litter.”
the times | Thursday September 12 2019 FGM 23

White House hawks are

endangered species
Gerard Baker
Page 25
Our opioid problem starts in GPs’ surgeries
Rather than blame drugs companies for increasing dependence we should look at how painkillers are prescribed
recently. Half of these adults had
David been continuously prescribed for at
Aaronovitch least the previous 12 months and up
to a third for at least the previous
three years.
Of these medicine classes, two —
opioids and benzodiazepines, whose
prescribed use had been steadily
@daaronovitch climbing for a decade — showed a
small fall. But the reviewers said that
Comment
they could expect to be hooked. computer. A doctor faced with a
Then, of course, if their physicians patient talking about their
stopped prescribing, they’d go to the intolerable pain is under
black market where they might buy considerable pressure to re-prescribe
drugs that some other patient hadn’t drugs that the patient might be
needed after all and had sold on. pressing for.
According to Quinones the idea That GP might well feel that other
that this was almost entirely a services such as physiotherapy or
problem of the rust-belt is a psychological help would be more
misperception. It was also a middle- effective, but will know that the wait

E
ight years ago after a near-
death experience and a spell
in intensive care, I was
released into the community
with a rather impressive
abdominal wound and a small supply
of three kinds of painkiller. One of
these was a prescription drug many
readers will be familiar with called
tramadol. In my quite confused state
I understood that tramadol was a
“strong” painkiller, and since I was
desperate to regain some lucidity I
decided to stick to the ibuprofen and
the paracetamol.
Then, recently, I watched a film
called Capernaum, set among
refugees in modern Beirut. Reduced
to abject poverty, one way they made
money was to steal tramadol from
pharmacists, crush it up, dissolve it in
water and wash the clothes of
prisoners in the mix. The prisoners
would rinse the clothes, then drink
the rinse-water and get high.
It was only when I saw this that I
realised tramadol is an opioid. Had I
developed a taste for it I think there’s
a fair chance that I could have had it
re-prescribed for a while after I’d
returned from hospital.
I escaped that outcome. Quite a lot
of our fellow citizens don’t. Now
Public Health England (PHE) has
published a prescribed medicines
review which found that for five
classes of powerful medicines,
recommended for pain, insomnia or
depression, one in four adults had
been prescribed at least one of them
long-term prescription of both “still
occurs frequently, which is not in line
with the guidelines or evidence on
effectiveness”.
The “opioid epidemic” of America
is one of the great spectres haunting
our perceptions of public health. The
scenes of comatose bodies in pick-up
trucks and grieving relatives in
Midwest towns have been explained
by a John Grisham-like combination
of despairing poor and rapacious
pharmaceutical companies falsely
persuading doctors of the non-
addictive qualities of their product.
It has, of course, been more
complicated than that. The US writer
Drugs are taken even
when they have
ceased to be effective
Sam Quinones, who followed the
course of the epidemic, finds its
origins in the desire by pain
specialists to find drugs that could
deal with chronic pain. When a small
piece of evidence was published
apparently showing that in hospital
settings some opioid analgesics
seemed not to be addictive, it was
perceived as a magic bullet. With the
specialists on board, the companies
went to town.
Patients started coming home
from hospital with 30 days’ worth of
opioids. If they obtained
prescriptions for two more months
class problem.
For all kinds of reasons Britain
does not have the same scale of
crisis. But the PHE report makes
clear that we do have a problem of
over-prescription, in which drugs
that can create dependency are
taken even when they have ceased to
be effective.
But why? And by whom? A recent
study showed that nine out of ten of
the highest-prescribing areas for
opioids in England were in the north
(Bristol was the exception). Another
study showed that high prescription
also occurred in rural and larger GP
practices, and in deprived
socioeconomic areas. Public Health
England noted high rates of
prescription of the five medicine
classes among women and the
elderly, especially the over-75s.
And that is more or less all we
know. Other than for cancer, we
don’t have data that shows for what
conditions these drugs were
prescribed. Nor do we know what
patients actually do with the drugs
once they are collected.
So we know very little. We can
assume that people living longer with
complicated co-morbidities means
greater pain issues across the
population. If, for example, you are
an older person with arthritis,
dependency on an opioid may seem
the lesser problem, even if (as the
evidence shows) the efficacy wears
off. Perhaps this is all a symptom of
inequality and social dysfunction.
A doctor faced with a patient in pain is
under great pressure to offer a solution
We simply don’t know. But I think
we are partly looking at what could
be called a crisis of prescription.
Pain is a notoriously subjective
experience. More so even than
depression.
If you look at the guidelines for a
GP in assessing a patient’s pain, they
are complex and time-consuming.
One GP I met who specialises in
pain management said he could
manage to do this assessment in 20
minutes, and I believe him. The
problem is that if I had been his
patient it would have taken me half
an hour to answer him. And half an
hour is not what a GP has.
A 2017 study showed that Britain
had the shortest consultation times
in Europe, with an average of 9.22
minutes, a large part of which will be
taken up by the GP consulting a
to access them could run into several
months. In the meantime, the
patient is sitting in front of them.
And one thing that some patients
aren’t is patient.
Finally, should a GP wonder
The average time a
GP spends with a
patient is 9.22 minutes
whether their prescribing habits are
in line with those of other doctors,
they have no way of finding out.
Unless individual practices spend the
time and effort required to create a
database, all the doctor has to go on
is anecdote.
So this is not an issue of fault. Our
doctors mostly do their best with
what they have. But our information
systems, our data analysis, our
diagnostic tools and our non-medical
health-related services are lagging
disastrously behind the growth in
our health needs. Until we solve
these problems, over-prescription of
dependency-creating drugs will be
only one among dozens of avoidable
health crises that we face.
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24
Comment
Less is more when it comes to time at work
Many creative geniuses excel during concentrated bursts, and we could learn from them
Jenni
Russell
@jennirsl
M
y generation went into
the working world just
as long hours became
synonymous with
professional success. In
my childhood in the 1960s and 1970s,
it was taken for granted that fathers
— not many mothers worked —
would be home before dinner.
Lawyers, academics, bankers and
stockbrokers worked the equivalent
of nine to five, and weekends were an
expanse of time off.
That all blew apart in the 1980s as
global competition, the Big Bang in
the City and new norms in which
work was expected to be a passion
expanded the working week. City,
law and management firms started
demanding 16-hour days and
companies realised they could get far
more hours out of existing
employees; slackers didn’t last.
I was working in television
journalism; when I returned after six
months off with a new baby, I was
pressed into signing up to a 60-hour
week. Filming abroad or away only
counted as a 12-hour day, so a five-
day trip away from a nursing baby
was officially no more taxing than
being in the office. Shattered and
wretched after a year of this I took a
pay cut to work a 40-hour contract
instead. This defined me as a part-
Janice Turner Notebook
No way to
treat the
Mother of
the House
A
round 9pm I get a call
from Harriet Harman.
This is not professional or
personal, but purely
political since I am — on
paper — still a member of her
constituency Labour Party and in
November she faces “trigger ballots”.
If a third of local branches vote
against her, she must seek reselection
as MP. “Can I rely on your support?”
In October Ms Harman may be
elected Speaker which would mean,
since by convention other parties
wouldn’t stand in her seat, she’d
swerve reselection. Moreover Labour
HQ, mindful that Trots booting out
the Mother of the House would be a
ghastly look, delayed her trigger
ballots until after a likely election.
Yet since nothing is certain, for
now she must plough through her
phone list. Corbynistas control her
local party and, after Jo Swinson
suggested she lead a government of
national unity, the chairwoman
timer with no ambition and I was
officially sidelined.
In the age of the smartphone and
the internet, professional work
scarcely has boundaries at all. It’s the
new normal to be sending emails at
midnight, to restart projects after a
distracted supper, to interrupt family
Sunday lunches with work calls.
Normal, and miserable. Many of us
are stressed, overwhelmed, always
typing to keep up. We’ve bought
the idea that we’re better for doing
more, that for success we must
emulate the Steve Jobses and Elon
Musks of this world.
We’re mistaken. The ancients
knew it, modern neuroscience
confirms it, and a Silicon Valley
technology forecaster and consultant
who stepped back from burnout is
trying to reverse our assumptions.
Alex Soojung-Kim Pang has
marshalled the evidence that long
At rest, our brains are
almost as active as
when we concentrate
hours are destructive and
counterproductive, for employees
and employers alike. He’s making the
case for complementing work with
deliberate, restorative, active rest.
Pang’s argument, in his 2017 book
Rest: Why You Get More Done When
You Work Less, is not the familiar
claim that we need a work-life
balance. It is that deep, targeted
rest, and more of it, improves the
quality of our thinking, our work and
our lives. It is not the wimps’ choice.
It is what the most productive
wrote an angry letter accusing her of
undermining JC.
“I’m ringing you on one of these
marvellous burner phones,” says
Harriet brightly. Presumably to avoid
putting party business on her
parliamentary phone bill, not because
she’s adopted Dominic Cummings-
style practices. Yes, I’ll support her.
The bigger question is whether I still
support a party which compels the
longest-serving woman MP to spend
her evenings mired in internal affairs
while the country burns.
Superpower bores
F
or decades I went to the
cinema every week.
Now the multiplexes
are rammed with Marvel
movies, I go once a
month, max. A friend
asked why I don’t like
comic book films, so I
explained my 15 per cent
rule: this is the exact
proportion of fantastical
nonsense I can tolerate
in a work of art.
I enjoyed Game of
Thrones because,
however far-fetched, it
is 85 per cent about
families, revenge,
war, politics and sex
but only 15 per cent
dragons, giants, ice
zombies etc. I prefer early
thinkers, scientists, mathematicians,
musicians and writers have always
done.
Pang outlines the working patterns
of ambitious, driven people as
different as Darwin, Dickens, Ingmar
Bergman and Henri Poincaré to
show that none of them spent more
than a few hours a day, usually four
or five, on their principal work. Often
that was done in 90-minute bursts,
mostly in the mornings, with some
time set aside to revise that work
later in the day. “The rest of the time
they were hiking mountains, taking
naps, going on walks with friends or
just sitting and thinking.”
Those regimes gave us the theory
of evolution, dozens of novels that
illuminated the 19th century,
acclaimed and influential films, and
hundreds of papers by a
mathematical genius. Pang cites
studies of scientists and outstanding
violin students that find the same.
Four hours a day of intense work,
interspersed with recovery, marks
the limit of the brain’s capacity to
concentrate effectively over the long
term. Scientists who regularly put in
more than 20 hours of this kind of
effort a week saw productivity dive.
The reason for this is the brain’s
ability to keep working on thoughts
and problems once we have stopped
consciously focusing on them.
Allowing our minds to wander
famously produces inspiration, from
Archimedes on. Lin-Manuel Miranda
said that the idea for the musical
Hamilton came to him while he was
on holiday in Mexico: “The moment
my brain took a moment’s rest,
Hamilton sprang into it.”
Neuroscientific researchers in the
Harry Potter books/films because
they concern lessons, tuck boxes,
teachers, albeit with a magical twist.
Whereas the later ones drift further
into Death Eaters, time shifts and
other daft deus ex machina. Tolkien
bores me rigid, being 100 per cent
hairy-toed elves on quests.
Nor do I dismiss all comic book
movies. Batman is magnificent, being
located in a real, if exaggerated,
1970s New York, and Superman was
a journalist. Yet the Matrix
films and Marvel movies are
70 per cent superpowers and
bloodless CGI worlds. My
attention falters as a dull,
Gradgrindian voice
whispers in my head: it’s
not real, who cares.
Bedevilled Blake
M
y husband, another 15
percenter, felt much
the same about the
William Blake exhibition at
Tate Britain. Blake’s work
didn’t move him because it
was all crazy visions,
devils, angels and biblical
scenes. (He was more
taken by the map of
18th-century London
outside.) It would have
helped if the show
pinned Blake more
firmly in his age,
explaining exactly
FGM
1990s found, to their amazement,
that when we rest or let our minds
wander our brains are almost as
active as when we concentrate.
Resting brains switch into the
default mode network (DMN),
allowing inward thinking, using up
nearly as much energy as we do
calculating differential equations. We
need this downtime to develop and
use our minds to their full capacity.
Research has found that people with
well-developed DMNs tend to have
better intelligence, memory, empathy
and capacity for moral judgment.
The key to the productive rest our
brains need, Pang says, is neither the
passive absorption of television nor
the jumpy unfocused adrenaline hit
of Twitter or Instagram. Relaxation
matters but the best breaks include
demanding, absorbing activities of a
different kind such as music or
chess; exercise, to build neuronal
networks, relieve stress and release
endorphins; and detachment from
work and its demands. Being on call
leaves the body almost as stressed as
being at work.
Pang’s analysis is for all of us, not
just famous creatives. Taking rest
seriously, either in or at the end of
each day, protecting it and carving
out space for it prevents burnout,
leaves us calmer and more focused,
reduces guilt and makes our lives
richer and more fulfilling. It extends
our productive, active years and, as
Pang says, results in “a life that feels
rewarding while it is lived”.
It is excellent advice, and I fully
intend to take it — just as soon as
I’ve checked Twitter to catch up with
everything that’s happened since I
started writing here.
how he was influenced by
revolutionary movements in France
and America, in turn inspiring other
free thinkers with his work.
Blake’s epic images are in reality
very small. Intense engravings or
tiny iridescent watercolours. Yet
Blake’s tragedy is he thought big. He
wanted to plaster his images of God
and His heavens across cathedral
walls, like Leonardo da Vinci. There
is a photoshopped mock-up of how
his vision of the Ascension would
look enlarged many times as a
church altar piece. But Blake was
difficult, cussed, a bit bonkers, he fell
out with friends, infuriated authority,
wouldn’t schmooze the art world to
win public commissions. Blake’s work
stayed small in his lifetime because
his ego was too big.
Nowt to like
T
ake all the worst things about
Yorkshire: the “if ever thou
does owt for nowt, allus do it
for thissen” selfishness; a fetish for
“plain-speaking” as a front for
rudeness and cruelty; pride in
ignorance and philistinism; suspicion
of outsiders; a “where’s my bloody
dinner?” view of a woman’s place.
Render them all down, leave to
congeal and the noxious residue is
Geoffrey Boycott.
@victoriapeckham
Thursday September 12 2019 | the times
Welby should stand
up for Christians
persecuted by India
Zareer Masani
T
he Archbishop of
Canterbury has a habit of
apologising for Britain’s past
misdeeds, such as the
bombing of Dresden. His
latest intervention involved
prostrating himself at the shrine in
Amritsar, Punjab, and apologising for
the hundreds killed by Indian
soldiers commanded by a British
officer in 1919. What such apologies
achieve is hard to imagine, especially
when even the grandchildren of
victims are hard to find. The
archbishop lying flat on the ground,
as though awaiting martyrdom,
made lively images for the Indian
media.
Justin Welby is an unlikely virtue-
signaller, sharing a bloodline with
luminaries of the Raj such as Sir
Charles Napier, who famously
punned “I have sinned” after the
conquest of Sind. While maintaining
that his trip to India was pastoral, not
political, the archbishop lauded
India’s tolerance of diverse faiths. It
did not occur to him how such
plaudits might be exploited by India’s
Hindu chauvinist government of the
BJP as it cracks down on the
Muslims of Kashmir and suspends
their democratic rights with force.
I dared to point this out on Twitter
but must have touched a raw nerve,
since I found that the archbishop has
“blocked” me. As for his Amritsar
penance, one wonders if he is aware
that the killings were condemned at
the time by the British government
and the Commons, and that General
Dyer, the officer in charge, was
forced to resign his commission by
Winston Churchill, then secretary for
war, who described the massacre as
“a monstrous event”.
Welby’s trip has also managed to
stir up criticism from climate
scientists, who objected to his
message on global warming, and
from rival sects of the tiny Anglican
Church. Just over 2 per cent of
Indians are Christian, the vast
majority Roman Catholics. At the
very least, one would have expected
the head of the Anglican communion
to stand up for fellow Christians who
have suffered arson and desecration
of their churches, attacks on priests
and even the rape of nuns. But that
would have involved challenging
Hindutva, the wave of militant
Hinduism that is transforming the
tolerant India of Welby’s imagination
into a land where people are lynched
on suspicion of eating beef, which is
now forbidden by law.
Welby followed up his prostration
with a visit to the high priest at the
Sikh Golden Temple next door. Did
he realise he was following in the
footsteps of “Butcher” Dyer, praised
for his massacre by the priests then
in charge and accepted as an
honorary Sikh? Religious virtue
creates strange bedfellows, then
and now.
Dr Zareer Masani is a historian of India
the times | Thursday September 12 2019
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White House hawks are endangered species
Bolton’s exit clears the way for this isolationist president to seal a hat-trick of handshakes with sworn enemies of the US
Gerard
Baker
@gerardtbaker
T
he writing had been on
John Bolton’s West Wing
office wall for some time,
materialising slowly in the
unmistakable scrawl of
Donald Trump’s hand earlier this
year.
It was legible in May when Mr
Bolton incurred his boss’s wrath on
Venezuela. Mr Trump was reported
to have complained about his
national security adviser’s judgment
after he had suggested it would be a
breeze to oust the Venezuelan
President Nicolas Maduro, when in
fact the tenacious Chavista easily
outmanoeuvred his American
tormentors.
It was most visible at the end of
June with Mr Bolton’s untimely exile
to Ulan Bator. When Mr Trump
made his historic 20 steps across the
demilitarised zone into North Korea
for his meeting with Kim Jong-un,
the national security adviser, the
man supposed to be closest to the
president as he weighs war and peace
FGM
with America’s enemies, was in
Outer Mongolia, pressing the flesh.
Mr Bolton’s borrowed time finally
ran out on Tuesday when the
president Twitter-fired him. Mr
Trump will thus shortly acquire his
fourth national security adviser in
less than 32 months, a rate of churn
that makes the Italian prime
ministership look like a job for life.
For some leaders such a turnover
would seem chaotic and suggest
something dystopian in the heart of
government. But with Mr Trump we
know well enough it’s just how he
runs his business. His top advisers
are largely dispensable. He’s on his
way now to his own White House
version of The Twelve Days of
Christmas: five communications
directors, four national security
advisers, three chiefs of staff, two
secretaries of state. Jared Kushner
perhaps remains as the lone
partridge of peace in the pear tree.
The popular narrative of
bottomless turmoil is insignificant,
however. The significance of Mr
Bolton’s departure is in what it
affirms about the president’s
revolutionary foreign policy, but also
in what it reveals about the tectonic
shifts in American and, perhaps,
international politics.
Mr Bolton was an old-fashioned,
gunslinging, shoot-first-ask-
questions-later foreign policy hawk.
Not a neoconservative in the lazy
media caricature, since he was deeply
sceptical of the idea that it was
America’s God-given duty to export
Jeffersonian democracy to the world.
But he was a national security
Republican in the traditional mould,
a veteran of two Bush presidencies,
Cold and Hot Warrior.
This set him at odds with the
unexpectedly pacific Mr Trump. The
president, whose rhetoric is often
belligerent with domestic opponents,
has established a clear record now as
one who is reluctant to deploy US
forces in military confrontations, as
Democrats too favour
a ‘bring the troops
home’ foreign policy
his overtures to Mr Kim, his efforts
to pull US forces from Syria last year,
his reluctance to retaliate against
Iran over the shooting down of a
drone all demonstrate.
Mr Trump’s eagerness to get US
forces out of global hotspots has
produced renewed tension with
senior advisers. Mr Bolton wasn’t the
only one said to be unhappy about
the planned secret talks with the
Taliban at Camp David, which Mr
Trump was forced to cancel after a
Kabul bombing. According to those
familiar with the internal disputes at
the White House, the most
immediate source of tension seems
to have been Iran.
Once again the president has
surprised friends and foes alike by
expressing interest in striking a deal
with the Iranian leadership. At the
G7 talks in Biarritz last month, he
told his fellow leaders that, despite its
reimposition of sanctions against
Tehran and its abandonment of the
nuclear deal, his administration was
open to a renewed diplomatic
solution. Mr Trump, animated as
ever by an unshakeable faith in his
own interpersonal skills, is open to
meeting Hassan Rouhani, his Iranian
counterpart, in what would be the
second breathtaking piece of
presidential diplomacy.
Last Friday in London, Mark
Esper, the US defence secretary, said:
“It seems in some ways that Iran is
inching toward that place where we
could have talks and hopefully it’ll
play out that way.” This suggested to
Mr Bolton and others that Mr
Trump was dead-set on a course
they regard as perilous and naive,
and with the Afghan démarche in
the air, it was clear the national
security adviser was dispensable.
Mr Trump is undeterred. It may
seem improbable but in the space of
a year (an election year, at that) he
could strike deals with North Korea,
25
Comment
Iran and the Taliban, a hat-trick of
handshakes with devils that leaves
traditional Republican foreign
policy hawks gasping in
bewilderment. “Trump is, when it
comes to foreign policy, first and
foremost a pragmatist,” says one
observer. “He isn’t driven by any
particular ideology.”
The bigger story is his continuing
mould-breaking politics. The three
central pillars of his populism could
be characterised as protectionism,
nativism and isolationism. Tough on
trade; tough on immigration; against
foreign entanglements.
This reflects a shift in domestic
politics away from the traditional
left-right divide on economic issues.
Its larger effect can be seen in how
Democrats too are adapting their
message. Most Democratic
candidates running for president
have largely signed up to Mr Trump’s
aggressive trade policies with China.
Elizabeth Warren, the leading figure
on the left, has called for a new
“economic patriotism”. She and most
of the others favour a “bring the
troops home” doveish foreign policy.
Of course, the left’s populism rejects
the anti-immigration nativism of Mr
Trump and emphasises anti-business
and soak-the-rich economics. But,
while they’d never be heard using
the language of “America First”, they
are falling into line with its message.
26
Letters to the Editor
Commons bullying
Sir, In October 2018 Dame Laura
Cox, QC, after her independent
investigation into bullying and
harassment of House of Commons
staff, described the House as having
“a culture, cascading from the top
down, of deference, subservience,
acquiescence and silence, in which
bullying, harassment and sexual
harassment have been able to thrive
and have long been tolerated and
concealed”.
Shortly afterwards, the House of
Commons Commission endorsed her
three key recommendations about
how to transform the House’s
workplace culture. Although the first
two recommendations have now been
implemented we — like the
Commission — are dismayed at the
delay in implementing the third,
ensuring that “the process for
determining complaints of bullying,
harassment or sexual harassment
brought by House staff against MPs
will be an entirely independent
process, in which MPs will play
no part”.
Parliament makes the laws for the
country; it needs to lead by example.
We call upon all candidates for
Speaker to prioritise putting their own
House in order. We invite them
publicly to commit that, should they
be elected, they will ensure a fully
independent system is implemented
within the first six months of their
term of office.
Sir Paul Silk, president, study of
parliament group 2015-19 and former
House of Commons official; Dr
Hannah White, deputy director,
Institute for Government and former
House of Commons clerk; Dave
Penman, general secretary, FDA;
Garry Graham, deputy general
secretary, Prospect; Angus Sinclair,
former private secretary to the
Speaker, House of Commons;
Professor Paul Seaward, British
Academy and Wolfson research
professor, the History of Parliament.
Plus a further 53 names at
thetimes.co.uk/letters
Knotty problem
Sir, It may help Times readers to
know how we eliminated knotweed in
an ancient woodland here in Surrey.
Our method was to wait until spring,
cut the plants now in full growth to 18
inches in height, then spray a weak
solution of glyphosate down the
hollow stems. Some regrowth was
seen in year two. We repeated the
process for final elimination.
Christopher Pearman
Oxted, Surrey
Corrections and
clarifications
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Requests for corrections or
clarifications should be sent by email to
feedback@thetimes.co.uk or by post to
Feedback, The Times, 1 London Bridge
Street, London SE1 9GF
‘Unlawful’ prorogation and the constitution
Sir, Claims that parliament is now
obliged to be recalled because
yesterday’s finding against the
government was by a superior court
than the one that found for the
government last week are wrong.
The Inner House of the Court of
Session is indeed Scotland’s court of
civil appeal. The English and Welsh
court that heard the matter last week
was indeed styled the High Court (or
the Divisional Court).
But the English and Welsh court
was composed of the Lord Chief
Justice, the Master of the Rolls and
the President of the Queen’s Bench
Division. However it is styled, this
was not a bench of the High Court. It
was as distinguished a Court of
Appeal as it is possible to conceive.
This was one of the startling, de novo
procedural arrangements by which
the senior judiciary is creating a
constitutional court. There is only
one previous example in English legal
history of anything like it: Gina
Miller’s previous case.
Creating a constitutional court
without any democratic debate is
leading — and will lead — to untold
Matter of honour
Sir, I heartily concur with Matthew
Syed’s comments (sport, Sep 11) about
the bestowing of honours on
sportsmen, actors, pop stars and
people “just doing their job and often
paid extravagantly in the process”. To
this list I would add the wealthy, who
are able to donate significant amounts
of money without consequences to
their bank balance, when many people
give much smaller sums, but in equal
proportion to their income, with no
recognition. As Mr Syed says, honours
should be reserved for people who
have gone beyond the call of duty and
selflessly given up their time for others.
Amanda Streatfeild
Chiddingstone, Kent
Sir, Matthew Syed raises the habitual
question about honours for well-paid
sporting professionals. The honours
system will remain divisive until it is
based entirely upon being seen as a
reward for those who have helped
others via their professional skills or
have given of their time voluntarily, to
do the same. At present the honours
system is divisive and it may be
almost impossible to devise a system
that evokes little cynicism. In my own
case, as an enthusiastic club cricketer
I am convinced that I should have
AN AIR
EDITION OF
THE TIMES
from the times september 12, 1919
The latest flight of the British airship
R33, successfully completed at
Pulham aerodrome, provided yet
another triumph not only for British
aeronautics but also for British
newspaper enterprise. By special
arrangement with the Marconi
wireless station at Wormwood
Scrubbs, a complete summary of the
news of the day was dispatched to
the R33 from The Times office in
Printing House Square. The last
sentence was received by the aerial
liner shortly before 4am while she
was flying over the North Sea at
4,000ft. The messages were typed
difficulties. Among these, the outright
paradoxical confusion of the
hierarchy of the UK courts could lead
to immense political stress.
Professor David Campbell
Lancaster University Law School
Sir, Next week the Supreme Court will
be asked to decide whether the PM
has abused his powers and acted
unlawfully by advising the Queen to
prorogue parliament for five weeks. It
will hear appeals both from the
Scottish Court of Session, which ruled
that prorogation was done for an
improper purpose and was illegal, and
from a three-judge Divisional Court,
which decided the issue was political
and beyond the scope of judicial
review. The Edinburgh court decided
that prorogation was unlawful because
the prime minister’s intention had
been to evade scrutiny of his Brexit
policy by MPs. The Divisional Court
decided that it should not adjudicate
on what had happened.
The Supreme Court has the vital
role of deciding whether there are
legal limits to the PM’s powers and
whether in seeking prorogation he
had a “gong” for the prodigious
amounts of beer I drank, over many
years of touring with the “Trogs”.
Mike Humphries
Barton-on-Sea, Hants
Sir, I can understand why conferring
a knighthood on Sir Geoffrey Boycott
may have caused such offence
(“Domestic abuse victims condemn
decision to knight Boycott”, Sep 11)
but to this cricket lover, the honour
was long overdue. Sadly, it may well
have been the only burning injustice
that Theresa May overturned during
her time as prime minister.
Richard Lovegrove
Hove
Aviation revenue
Sir, Tim Johnson and Charles Lloyd
(letter, Sep 11) trot out the usual
conspiracy theories about “tax
exemptions and subsidies” for the
aviation industry, conveniently
overlooking the £3 billion that the
sector sends to the exchequer every
year in revenue from air passenger
duty. They also omit to mention the
progress that has been made in
reducing emissions from noise.
Analysis from the Civil Aviation
Authority has shown that over the
past decade noise emissions and noise
out on sheets of special paper; by
6am the newspaper had gone to
press, and at breakfast time, two
hours later, the passengers on the
R33 received with their eggs and
bacon, which was served as the
airship neared Amsterdam, the first
copy of the aerial edition of The
Times. I almost wish that I could
discuss the production with one of
the compositors who, in 1785, helped
to set up by hand the first copies of
the journal. Newspapers have been
printed and circulated in many
strange places — in trenches, in the
Arctic regions, in besieged fortresses
— but never before in the air.
Zeebrugge was crossed in
darkness, and later the airship, which
at night dropped her speed to 19
knots as against 30 during the day,
flew over the battle area in France.
La Bassée, Ypres, and Armentiéres
were all visited. The ruins of villages,
as seen from 3,000ft, appeared as
white broken lines on the ground.
FGM
Letters to the Editor should be sent to
letters@thetimes.co.uk or by post to
1 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9GF
misled the Queen as to his real
intention. I hope and believe that in
the extreme and hopefully unique
circumstances it will uphold the
principles of parliamentary
democracy and the rule of law.
Lord Lester of Herne Hill, QC
Blackstone Chambers, Temple
Sir, We now have the absurd
constitutional position of the Scottish
and English courts coming to
diametrically opposite decisions on a
matter of constitutional propriety.
The ultimate authority is the
Supreme Court, to which the matter
had been referred before the Scottish
hearing and judgment. In such
circumstance the Scottish court
would have been wise to stay its
proceedings pending the binding
decision of the Supreme Court. It is
not the decision of the Scottish court
that smacks of bias but rather its
failure to wait for a binding ruling,
which may yet be grist to the mill for
Scottish nationalists, if the Supreme
Court rules against them.
Mark Eades
Mavesyn Ridware, Staffs
area exposure have decreased, and
that this trend will continue through
to 2050, even with anticipated growth
and a third runway at Heathrow.
Where the number of people affected
by noise has increased, this has
largely been as a result of increases in
populations in noise-sensitive areas
near airports, something that we are
now asking ministers to look at.
Tim Alderslade
CEO, Airlines UK
Mass extinction
Sir, As long ago as 1978 Fred Hoyle
and I proposed that the extinction of
the dinosaurs was caused by the
impact of a comet 65 million years
ago — one of a long series of similar
events that punctuated the history of
our planet. A few years later a crater
discovered in the seabed of the
Yucatán peninsula was actually
linked to this impact. Our 1978
proposal was the raison d’être for all
subsequent studies that firmly link a
comet or asteroid impact to the
demise of the dinosaurs — the event
that made way for the emergence of
small mammals, hominids and
ourselves (report and leading article,
Sep 10, and letter, Sep 11).
Professor Chandra Wickramasinghe
University of Buckingham
Generally the scene was one of
complete devastation. Now and then
the activities of a clearing-up party
could be discerned, and it was
evident even at that altitude that a
great quantity of wire and wiring
stake had already been removed.
On the return journey there was
some headwind, but not enough
seriously to interfere with progress.
Nor was any air sickness reported.
The chef, who came from the
Criterion, performed culinary
wonders on his electric stove.
Though an Italian, he served in the
British Army during the war.
The R33 returned to Norfolk by 5
o’clock, the passengers alighting just
in time to catch a train for London.
They were entirely satisfied with the
trip, and convinced of the great
possibilities of commercial flight by
the medium of the dirigible.
thetimes.co.uk/archive
Thursday September 12 2019 | the times
A bridge too far
Sir, Further to your report “Bridge to
Northern Ireland ‘could solve
backstop issue’ ” (news, Sep 11), the
plan for a bridge linking Scotland
and Ireland is an impractical idea.
The North Channel experiences
some of the worst weather around
the British coastline. The Princess
Victoria sank in an atrocious storm in
January 1953 going from Stranraer to
Larne, with the loss of 133 lives. As a
young naval officer I used the ferry
in February 1945 to join a frigate in
Belfast. It was a most uncomfortable
crossing in a full gale.
A section of the bridge would have
to be at a height to enable shipping to
pass underneath. This would make
the crossing even more hazardous for
high-sided vehicles. The only feasible
crossing is a tunnel, which would be
far too expensive to consider.
Jim Shuttleworth
Lesmahagow, Lanark
Pavement cycling
Sir, Doug Franks asks where cyclists
are supposed to go when pavements
are blocked by cars (letter, Sep 10). A
more pertinent question would be:
where are they meant to go when the
cycle lanes are blocked by cars — a
regular feature of my daily commute.
Some cyclists would choose the
pavement rather than be forced into
heavy traffic.
Jonathan Hunter
Middlesbrough
Hollywood twang
Sir, Like Beanie Feldstein (“Bostin!
Hollywood actress tricks locals with
Black Country twang”, Sep 10), I was
lucky enough to spend some time
working in Wolverhampton. In my
case I had recently qualified as a
dentist. On entering my surgery, my
first patient exclaimed: “Am ya the
dentist?” I replied that I was, to which
she said: “Am ya?”
Sharon Gilmour
Edgware, Middx
Fear of the V-word
Sir, Thinking of Carol Midgley’s
comments (“Don’t be afraid of the
V-word”, Times2, Sep 11), I remember
someone telling me many years ago
that if there was no way of having a
shower or a bath, you had to “wash up
as far as possible, down as far as
possible, then wash possible”.
Anne Mathews
Purley
Penguin’s gender
Sir, Fans of the children’s TV series
Pingu will already know that penguins
can be fluid in their traditional male/
female roles (“Penguin’s gender is not
black and white”, Sep 11). Daddy Pingu
has always done the ironing, laundry,
his share of egg-sitting and chick-care
and even knits useful items of
headgear, all while smoking his pipe.
Dr Sarah Nachshen
London NW11
Loose women
Sir, Nigel Farndale’s mention
(Notebook, Sep 11) of the Idle
Working Men’s Club in West
Yorkshire brought to mind the equally
felicitously named Loose Women’s
Institute in Kent. Perhaps they could
be affiliated.
David Robins
Farnham, Surrey
the times | Thursday September 12 2019
Daily Universal Register
UK: The final Ashes Test match begins at
the Oval in Kennington, south London;
interim results from Morrisons, John Lewis
Partnership and Co-operative Group.
Nature notes
There is an
increasingly untidy
look about the
countryside as the
flowers of high
summer begin to
fade away. Beside
hedges and on riverbanks the two tall
willowherbs, the rosebay and the great
hairy, still have a few pink flowers on them,
but are mainly overwhelmed by the new
fluffy white seeds tumbling about them.
Traveller’s joy in the hedges is beginning to
deserve its alternative name, old man’s
beard, as the greenish cream-white flowers
give way to straggling, fluffy grey seeds.
Where there are flowers still on
honeysuckle, they have mostly turned
orange-brown, as they do after pollination.
Burdock bushes have brown, hooked seed
balls on them that cling to trousers, and
many of their enormous leaves are also
turning brown. Leaves on small sycamore
trees have black fungal blotches spreading
over them. derwent may
Birthdays today
Sir Michael Moritz,
pictured, venture
capitalist, Sequoia
Capital, 65; Bertie
Ahern, taoiseach
(1997-2008), leader of
Fianna Fáil (1994-2008),
68; Maria Aitken,
actress, A Fish Called Wanda (1988), and
theatre director, 74; Prof Robert Gildea,
historian, 67; David Goodhart, founder
(1995) and editor-at-large, Prospect
magazine, 63; Dr Sir David Grant,
chairman, National Physical Laboratory, 72;
Sir Ian Holm, actor, Chariots of Fire (1981),
88; Sir Gerald Howarth, Conservative MP
for Aldershot (1997-2017), shadow defence
minister (2002-10), 72; Linda Gray, actress,
best known as Sue Ellen Ewing in Dallas
(1978-91), 79; Prof Sir Melvyn Greaves,
biologist, founder and director, Centre for
Evolution and Cancer, Institute of Cancer
Research, London, 78; Sir Wes Hall, former
West Indies cricketer and politician, 82;
Scott Hamilton, saxophonist, 65; Layla
Moran, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford
West and Abingdon, 37; Patrick Mower,
actor, Emmerdale (since 2001), 81; Michael
Ondaatje, writer, The English Patient (1992,
Booker prizewinner), 76; Elina Svitolina,
tennis player, world singles No 5, 25;
Sir John de Trafford, chairman, National
Savings and Investments (2012-16), 69;
Rachel Ward, actress, Against All Odds
(1984), 62; Pamela Warhurst, co-founder,
the Incredible Edible gardening initiative,
69; Mela Watts, director, Free Schools and
University Technical Colleges, department
for education, 56; Sir William Worsley,
chairman, National Forest Company, the
government’s tree champion, 63; Abdulqawi
Yusuf, judge, president, International Court
of Justice, 71; Hans Zimmer, film composer,
The Lion King (1994), 62.
On this day
In 1959 Russia launched the unmanned
Lunik 2 (Luna 2) lunar probe, which the
next day became the first spacecraft to land
on the moon.
The last word
“One technology doesn’t replace another, it
complements. Books are no more threatened
by Kindle than stairs by elevators.”
Stephen Fry, comedian, actor and writer,
in a tweet (2009).
FGM
Constitution of Consent
The suspension of parliament has drawn the courts into making political decisions.
This development is damaging to democracy and the government needs to quell it
A democracy has elections, a free press and
universal political rights, but its most salient
characteristic is the rule of law. Yesterday a panel
of three judges at the Court of Session, the highest
civil court in Scotland, ruled that Boris Johnson’s
suspension of the parliament at Westminster was
unlawful. It is a severe blow to the prime minister.
The government has said that it will appeal
against the ruling at the Supreme Court in
London, which will now hear the case on Tuesday.
Vital as the Brexit debate is to the nation’s
economic future, the issue of the proper role and
limits of government goes to the heart of what it
means for a society to be free. The government
should take the opportunity to be transparent about
the reasons for the original decision to prorogue
parliament for five weeks.
It is already clear that, while constitutionally
legitimate to prepare for a Queen’s Speech setting
out the new prime minister’s legislative agenda,
the prorogation was politically clumsy. It gave an
opening for pro-Remain politicians to depict it as
an expedient to force through Brexit by October 31.
The onus is on Mr Johnson to demonstrate that he
acted properly in advising the Queen to prorogue
parliament. If the prime minister is open about
his reasoning, there is every prospect that he can
Hostage to Fortune
If Iran still cares about its standing in the world it should stop seizing foreigners
Iran, which was once the cradle of a great empire
and a sophisticated culture, is again turning into
a rogue state. The former Foreign Office minister
Alistair Burt was surely right yesterday to point
out that Tehran regards the taking of hostages
as a legitimate way of applying pressure to its
supposed enemies. That raises serious questions
about the legitimacy of the Iranian leadership and
highlights the difficulty of conducting any normal
diplomatic relationship with it.
The latest victims are two British-Australian
women and an Australian man. The women are
being held in Evin prison, Tehran, where the British-
Iranian dual national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
has been detained on spying charges since 2016.
Earlier this year an Iranian oil tanker was seized in
Gibraltar en route to Syria. The vessel, Grace 1, was
suspected of breaking European Union sanctions
in attempting to supply the Assad regime. After
she was freed she changed her name, turned off
her transponders and delivered the oil, despite
undertakings from Iran that she would not do
so. In the meantime Tehran sent Revolutionary
Guards to detain a British-flagged ship in the Gulf
In praise of the humble packed lunch
Pret, Pure, Upper Crust, Itsu: there have never been
more tempting lunch options for office workers.
But routinely popping out for a meal can soon
starve the wallet. Leon’s Kale Chicken Caesar salad
alone costs more than £7. And a cardboard box of
greenery is rarely the end of the story: try leaving
one of these chains without chocolate or popcorn.
There is another way. Today’s Times2 reports on
the rise of “super-lunchers” — intrepid home cooks
who are resisting the urge to blow their savings on
supermarket sushi by making inventive lunches
well in advance. Many get the show on the road
on Sunday evenings, when they begin roasting the
prevail both legally and in the court of public
opinion. As things stand, the Court of Session’s
ruling is at odds with that of the High Court in
London, which in a separate case brought last
week by the anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller
ruled that Mr Johnson had acted lawfully.
There is no constitutional reason why the
Scottish ruling should require the government
to recall parliament, as the opposition parties
are demanding. Yet to press on regardless of the
state of judicial opinion would be damaging for
British public life, and possibly terminally so for
Mr Johnson’s premiership.
The judgment needs to be robbed of its political
sting. The Scottish judges ruled that, while the
advice of a prime minister to the sovereign would
not normally be subject to judicial review, such
advice would nonetheless “be unlawful if its purpose
was to stymie parliamentary scrutiny of the exec-
utive”. And that, so the judges ruled on the basis
of documents released by the government to the
court,“was the true reason for the prorogation”.
The invective levelled against the government
by the opposition has been heated and in truth
demeaning to the entire political process. Contrary
to their protests, the prorogation is not a “coup”,
and indeed a truly autocratic government would
and hold the crew as hostages. The conventional
explanation for such officially sponsored piracy is
that Iran functions on two levels, incorporating a
state apparatus, which demands to be treated as a
normal part of the world order, and a Revolutionary
Guard that follows its own agenda.
For the British government this makes a mockery
of our bilateral relationship. When relations are
reasonably good, such as after the signing of the
deal in 2015 to curb Iran’s nuclear programme,
the country’s authorities are on the alert for
any sign of westernisation or domestic resistance.
When relations are poor, as they certainly are
now, people are picked up as bargaining chips.
This animus towards Britain has imperial
roots, born of resentment about what is seen as
19th-century perfidy and exploitation of the
country’s oil resources. The Cold War compounded
the problem. One of the demands from the Islamic
regime is that Britain forks out £300 million for
tanks that were sold but never delivered to the
Shah. Tehran, which brands Britain as Little Satan
to America’s Great Satan, hints that payment
might ease the situation of its hostages. Between
Eating Al Desko
vegetables and cooking the frittatas that will feed
them for the rest of the week.
Good on them. Yet there is something pleasingly
dour about an ordinary packed lunch, with its
mandatory soft apple, ready salted crisps and
damp ham sandwich wrapped in clingfilm.
Britain’s penchant for packed lunches has
served us well. The Cornish pasty, of course, was
invented for miners who could hold the crimped
pastry edge with blackened fingers. And John
Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, is regularly,
though probably wrongly, said to have invented
the sandwich, given his mania for “beef between
27
Leading articles
hardly be likely to seek, as Mr Johnson has
unavailingly done, an immediate general election.
Yet British politics is now in uncharted territory
and it is incumbent on the government to bring it
back to calmer waters.
Britain’s governance is founded on the
principle of deliberative democracy. Voters
choose parliamentary representatives to exercise
judgment on what is in the public good. The Brexit
referendum was an expression instead of direct
democracy, where the electorate took a crucial
decision without the mediation of parliament.
Though The Times supported Remain in the
referendum, the decision to leave has been taken
and it needs to be enacted. Failure to do so would do
more than weaken popular trust in government.
It would fatally undermine the social contract on
which a parliamentary system depends.
The clash of these competing interpretations of
democracy has consigned British politics to a state
of agitated crisis. It has brought the highest courts
of the land into decisions that ought to be purely
political, and thereby given unmerited plausibility
to the case, contrary to British traditions, for a
codified constitution. The government must aim
to still this conflict by demonstrating the valid
domestic political reasons to suspend parliament.
1979 and early 1981, Iranian fundamentalists held
52 American diplomats and citizens hostage in the
US embassy in Tehran. The stand-off significantly
weakened Jimmy Carter’s presidency and contri-
buted to his landslide loss in the 1980 election.
Iran, then, plays for high stakes when it seizes
foreigners and does not rush to make concessions.
The nuclear deal was intended to end its pariah
status, making it align with global rules. Instead,
it encouraged the clerical regime to believe that it
had a free pass to step up its military adventurism
in Syria, to further arm the Hezbollah militia in
Lebanon and to organise Shia militias.
President Trump rightly identified the flawed
assumptions of the deal and counted on financial
sanctions to change Tehran’s behaviour. That has
not succeeded and Mr Trump is reported to be
seeking a meeting in New York with President
Rouhani. Britain, too, will attempt direct contact
with the Iranians at the United Nations general
assembly this month to raise the question of the
British prisoners. Sadly, neither approach is likely
to succeed any time soon. Iran has learnt over the
years that taking hostages pays off.
two slices of bread”. Other countries pride
themselves on their packed lunches. Japan has its
neat and nutritious bento boxes. Mumbai’s army
of delivery men, or dabbawallas, transport
200,000 lunch boxes every day, filled with hot
meat and vegetables. Britain’s affection for bland
— and cheap — packed lunches perhaps bears
most resemblance to Norwegians’ love of the
matpakke, an open sandwich spread with something
reassuringly boring, like cheese from a tube.
There is one problem with the packed lunch that
no amount of gastronomic invention can solve.
That is remembering to pack it in the first place.
28
World
Trump seeks deal with
Iran after sacking Bolton
United States
David Charter Washington
The departure of the hawkish John
Bolton as national security adviser has
helped to clear the way for President
Trump to meet President Rouhani this
month, senior officials said — weeks
after the US and Iran appeared to be on
the brink of war.
Iran’s president urged Mr Trump yes-
terday to “put warmongers aside” when
choosing Mr Bolton’s replacement, sug-
gesting that any talks depended on the
approach of the president’s next adviser
as well as Tehran’s longstanding call for
sanctions to be lifted.
Mr Trump, speaking at the White
House yesterday, seemed to suggest
that there could be flexibility on
sanctions. Asked if he would ease the
restrictions, he said: “We will see what
happens. I think Iran has potential.
They’re incredible people.”
He added: “We’re not looking for
regime change. We hope that we can
make a deal and if we can’t make a deal
that’s fine too. But I think they have to
make a deal.”
That has raised the prospects of an
encounter at the UN general assembly
in New York, which starts on Tuesday,
following efforts by President Macron
to bring the US and Iran together on
the sidelines of the G7 meeting in
France last month.
At least one prominent contender to
become Mr Trump’s fourth national
security adviser, the North Korea
envoy Stephen Biegun, backs the presi-
dent’s attempts at rapprochement with
America’s sworn enemies. That stands
in stark contrast to Mr Bolton, who mis-
trusted the regimes in Iran and North
Korea and called for military contin-
gency plans.
His exit was also being attributed
yesterday to Mr Trump’s suspicions
that he was behind damaging leaks.
There were reports that Mr Bolton was
the source of the damaging disclosure
that Mike Pence, the vice-president,
had opposed Mr Trump’s plan to bring
the Taliban to Camp David to clinch a
US withdrawal agreement.
There were also claims that he leaked
Mr Trump’s supposed recent sugges-
American mole worked close to Putin for five years
Russia
Tom Parfitt Moscow
A CIA mole in the Kremlin who was
successfully exfiltrated to the United
States had access to “very sensitive in-
formation” and worked for at least five
years in President Putin’s administra-
tion, according to a source in Moscow.
Oleg Smolenkov, 50, and his family
are believed to have gone into hiding on
Tuesday after it was revealed that they
were living in a $925,000 mansion near
Washington, having been spirited out
of Russia via Montenegro.
Russian officials have played down
claims that Mr Smolenkov worked on
the president’s staff, saying that he did
not occupy a senior post, had no direct
In the running
Stephen Biegun 56
The US special
representative to
North Korea is a
former car executive
turned diplomat who
worked for Condoleezza Rice during
the second Bush administration. An
expert on Russian affairs, he had been
floated as a possible ambassador to
Moscow. He is an ally of Mike Pompeo
and has earned President Trump’s
favour by publicly agreeing with his
North Korea strategy.
Brian Hook 51
The US special
representative to Iran
is another Pompeo
ally. He is also close to
Jared Kushner, Mr
Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser.
A lawyer who worked in the justice
department under George W Bush, he
was brought into the state
department by Rex Tillerson, Mr
Trump’s first secretary of state, and is
one of the few men still standing.
Richard Grenell 52
The US ambassador to
Germany, whose
brash brand of
diplomacy has earned
approval from Mr
Trump, though it has stirred
tion to use nuclear weapons to disperse
hurricanes; a claim that the president
quickly denied.
Whether Mr Bolton was fired or re-
signed — as he claims — his departure
is widely seen as strengthening the
influence of Mike Pompeo, the secre-
tary of state, who has fuelled specula-
tion that there could be talks with Iran.
Asked if he could foresee a meeting
between Mr Trump and Mr Rouhani at
the UN general assembly in New York,
Mr Pompeo said: “Sure. The president
has made very clear he is prepared to
meet with no preconditions.”
However, there were mixed signals
access to Mr Putin and was fired
“several years ago”. That was contra-
dicted yesterday by a source close to
Russia’s security services who spoke to
the Vedomosti newspaper in Moscow.
The source said that Mr Smolenkov
had worked in the foreign affairs
department for at least five years until
his defection with his wife and three
children in 2017. He had access to “very
sensitive information”.
However, another source said that
the informant would not have had ac-
cess to secret material but may have
been able to acquire “information that
would interest American intelligence”
from conversations with colleagues.
Mr Smolenkov had been seen in
Moscow as an efficient worker, earning
controversy in Berlin. Outspoken and
gay, he was a spokesman for the Mitt
Romney campaign in 2012 before
becoming a consultant and Fox News
contributor. He has told associates he
expects to be interviewed for the
national security job.
Keith Kellogg 75
A retired army
lieutenant-general, he
is the senior national
security adviser to
Mike Pence. Mr
Kellogg has already served a stint as
acting national security adviser to Mr
Trump after the resignation of
Michael Flynn, the president’s original
choice for the job.
HR McMaster 57
Mr Trump’s national
security adviser
before Mr Bolton is a
wildcard pick to
return to the job. A
former lieutenant-general, he was
considered one of a group of
“grown-ups” in the administration,
along with Jim Mattis, the former
defence secretary and Rex Tillerson.
Mr Trump is said to have turned to Mr
McMaster for advice more than once
amid frustration with Mr Bolton,
telling the former adviser he “missed
him”.
from Tehran yesterday. “Americans
have to realise that warmongering and
warmongers are not to their benefit,”
Mr Rouhani said after a cabinet meet-
ing. “They should not only abandon
warmongering but also abandon their
maximum pressure policy.”
Tensions have risen since Mr Trump
pulled the US out of the 2015 nuclear
deal and applied crippling sanctions
designed to strangle Iran’s oil exports
and bring the economy to its knees.
Tehran was blamed for attacks on six
commercial oil tankers in or near the
Gulf in the summer, as well as the
shooting down of an American drone,
the praise of colleagues, including his
immediate boss, Yury Ushakov, Mr
Putin’s chief foreign policy adviser.
“Sometimes he expressed excessive cu-
riosity that went beyond simple interest
but because his colleagues had known
him for some time they could be quite
open in confidential conversations,”
Vedomosti reported.
It emerged on Monday that the US
had extracted a Russian spy in the
Kremlin who, US intelligence officials
claimed, had helped Washington to
confirm that Mr Putin personally
ordered interference in the 2016 US
presidential election.
The mole was removed after the CIA
became concerned about President
Trump revealing secret information in
FGM Thursday September 12 2019 | the times
leading to a build-up of US warships
and troops in the region. The US mili-
tary was on the point of launching air-
strikes in June but Mr Trump called
them off at the last minute, much to Mr
Bolton’s annoyance.
Ali Rabiei, an Iranian government
spokesman, said after the cabinet meet-
ing that Mr Bolton’s dismissal could
allow the US to have a “less biased”
attitude towards Iran. He said that it
was an internal US issue but added that
Mr Bolton was “the symbol of Amer-
ica’s hawkish policies and its animosity
toward Iran”.
Hardliners in Tehran urged caution:
Mohsen Rezaei, a general in the power-
ful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,
tweeted: “We will not be deceived by
the sacrificing of Bolton.”
Mr Trump, speaking at the White
House yesterday, suggested that there
was no shortage of candidates for the
post of national security adviser. “We’ll
have five people who want it very
much,” he said. “We’ll be announcing
somebody next week.”
One surprise suggestion was a recall
for HR McMaster, the retired general
who served in the post from February
2017 to April 2018. He was seen at the
time as never really getting along with
the president, but Mr Trump is believed
to have begun calling him for advice
again recently.
Mr Trump said yesterday that Mr
Bolton “wasn’t in line with what we
were doing. I hope we left on good
stead, but maybe we haven’t.”
He said that he had asked Mr Bolton
to quit because he “made some very big
mistakes” and “was not getting along”
with key members of his team.
“When he talked about the Libyan
model for Kim Jong-un, that was not a
good statement to make,” Mr Trump
said, referring to a comment made by
the national security adviser last May
in which he urged the North Korean
leader to give up all his nuclear weap-
ons.
“You just look at what happened with
Gaddafi . . . that set us back. What a
disaster.”
Mr Trump added: “I wish John the
best. We actually got along quite well.”
Gerard Baker, page 25
meetings with Russian officials, CNN
reported.
Russian media said on Tuesday that
the spy was Oleg Smolenkov, an em-
ployee in Mr Putin’s administration
who disappeared in 2017 with his wife,
Antonina, 35, and three children while
in Montenegro, ostensibly on holiday.
Sergei Ryabkov, deputy foreign min-
ister, dismissed the claims. “By defini-
tion, he could not have played any role
in so-called [US election] meddling,
because there was no meddling.”
US property records show that an
Oleg and Antonina Smolenkov own a
six-bedroom home in Stafford, Virgin-
ia. Neighbours said a family with Rus-
sian accents lived there, but drove away
on Monday night.
the times | Thursday September 12 2019
FGM
Mosul
Khazer
18 lines
Arbil
IRAQ
Tigris
Qayyarah
Qanus
island
IRAQ
Baghdad
10 miles
US shows
how to end
a jihadist
infestation
T
he Pentagon has released
videos of the US air force
carpet-bombing a river
island in Iraq that it said
was “infested with Islamic
State” cells (Richard Spencer
writes).
One, shot from the air, shows a
series of fireballs enveloping the
island before smoke rises and
obscures the view. Other videos
show the scene from ground level,
with black-clad Iraqi army troops
looking on, a dramatic
representation of the continued
war being waged against the
jihadists.
US Central Command, which
operates in the Middle East, said
that 36 tonnes of explosive were
dropped in the raid on Qanus
island, in the Tigris in Salaheddin
province, north of Baghdad.
“Here’s what it looks like when
F-15 and F-35 jets drop 36,000kg of
bombs on a Daesh [Isis]-infested
island,” it said in a tweet
announcing the operation, in both
English and Arabic. It was
accompanied by emojis of a plane
and an explosion.
The recently deployed F-35
Lightning stealth jet can carry a
maximum weapons load of
8,100kg and the older,
twin-engined F-15 Eagle up to
13,380kg.
The raids were followed by
ground operations to clear the
island of Isis fighters. “We’re
denying Daesh the ability to hide
on Qanus island,” Major-General
Eric Hill, head of special
operations for the anti-Isis
coalition Operation Inherent
Resolve, said.
Isis fighters have continued to
mount small but regular raids in
Syria and Iraq since being forced
to give up the last of their territory
in the siege of Baghuz, eastern
Syria, in March.
Qanus island, in one of the
jihadist group’s key breeding
grounds north of Baghdad and
south of Mosul, was said to be a
staging ground for Isis units
moving between Iraq, the desert
areas on either side of the border,
and Syria.
The Pentagon estimated last
month that Isis could still call on
14,000 to 18,000 militants in both
countries.
The World at Five
Why parched Australians
fear blazing hot summer
In depth and online today at 5pm
thetimes.co.uk
Leaked tape reveals
how Khashoggi was
killed and butchered
Turkey
Richard Spencer
Middle East Correspondent
The men who ran the operation to kill
the Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal
Khashoggi referred to him as the
“animal to be sacrificed” as they dis-
cussed how to dismember his body, ac-
cording to leaked transcripts of their
conversation.
In the tapes Lieutenant-Colonel
Maher Mutreb, a senior member of
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Sal-
man’s bodyguard team and head of the
operation, asks whether “the animal to
be sacrificed” has arrived as he speaks
to the forensic pathologist who was to
dispose of the body.
Salah al-Tubaigy had been describ-
ing how he intended to deal with the
body. Colonel Mutreb asks: “Is it poss-
ible to put the body in a bag?”
“No,” Dr Tubaigy replies. “Too heavy,
very tall too. Actually, I’ve always
worked on cadavers. I know how to cut
very well. I have never worked on a
warm body, but I’ll manage that easily.”
Dr Tubaigy then says that he uses
earphones to listen to music as he cuts
up bodies, sipping coffee and smoking.
“After I dismember it, you will wrap the
parts into plastic bags, put them in
suitcases and take them out,” he says.
Khashoggi was killed on October 2
last year at the Saudi consulate in Istan-
bul, where he had gone to receive pa-
pers relating to his divorce. He had once
been a senior journalist and political
adviser to Saudi royals but opposed
Prince Mohammed’s rise to power and
was living in exile, writing critical arti-
cles for The Washington Post.
It is not clear why the more detailed
transcripts of conversations already
outlined have been leaked now, to the
pro-Turkish government Daily Sabah,
but Khashoggi’s supporters, many of
whom are politically close to Turkey
and Qatar, are preparing to commemo-
rate the anniversary of his death.
As has been the case with previous
1-in-50 million lobster saved
from pot by its two-tone shell
Will Pavia New York
A lobster with a body that is half black
and half orange was fished from a bay in
Maine in what marine experts have
billed as a 1-in-50 million find.
The lobster was caught
by Daryl Dunham in
Penobscot Bay, about
80 miles up the east coast
from Portland. Brought
ashore, its extraordinary
markings saved it from
being boiled in a pot. Mr
Dunham donated it to the
Maine Center for Coastal
Fisheries, which keeps a small
collection of unusually coloured
lobsters.
A blue lobster, said to occur in one of
every two million lobsters, occupies a
tank there, as do two calico lobsters
29
leaks, there is no independent way to
corroborate the details. Some in previ-
ous reports of the recordings have prov-
en to be incorrect.
Saudi Arabia eventually admitted
that its officials had killed Khashoggi
“in a brawl” at the consulate but has de-
nied some details. Officials said that the
body was taken by a local contact but
have never identified the contact or
said what happened to the body.
Colonel Mutreb and Dr Tubaigy are
Jamal Khashoggi
was killed last year
at Saudi Arabia’s
consulate in
Istanbul
among 11 people on trial in Riyadh for
murder. However, the US and other
allies of Saudi Arabia have urged the
authorities to move against the crown
prince’s close aide, Saud al-Qahtani,
who is said to have led the operation.
Mr Qahtani has disappeared from
public view in recent months, prompt-
ing rumours that he too has been killed.
The latest leaks, presumed to be from
Turkish intelligence bugging of the
consulate, may have been made in an
effort to put more pressure on Riyadh.
The leaks also reveal that the “hit
squad” tried to force Khashoggi to send
a text message to his son telling him
that he was in Istanbul and not to worry
if he did not get in touch for a few days.
Khahoggi refused, sarcastically.
“Write it, Mr Jamal,” Colonel Mutreb
says. “Hurry up. Help us so we can help
you, because in the end we will take you
back to Saudi Arabia and if you don’t
help us you know what will happen.”
Khashoggi’s last words were a re-
quest not to cover his mouth because he
had asthma. There is the sound of a
struggle and voices saying “Is he
asleep?”, “He’s raising his head” and
“Keep pushing”. Then the electric saw is
heard being switched on.
with orange and black shells. Most lob-
sters are a dark blue-green or greenish
brown colour before they are cooked: a
process which turns them orange. A
live orange or red lobster is said to be a
1 in 30 million find.
In the summer of 2015 a
half-orange, half-black
lobster was found by a
fisherman from Scarbo-
rough, Maine, though
its shell was less uni-
form than the miracu-
lous creature from Pe-
Bay
nobscot Bay.
The latest one will be
returned to the ocean in a
few weeks to take its chances
among the ordinary populace of Maine
lobsters who live in unremarkable
carapaces, careless of the acclaim one
of their number has achieved on land.
30
World
Fraud inquiry into French commissioner
France
Charles Bremner Paris
A corruption inquiry and allegations of
sleaze are threatening the prospects of
Sylvie Goulard, France’s nominee to a
leading position in the European
Commission.
Ms Goulard, an ally of President
Macron, was questioned by detectives
in Paris on Tuesday.
At the same time Ursula von
der Leyen, the incoming Euro-
pean Commission president,
nominated her to be the in-
ternal market commissioner
overseeing the defence and
space industries. The French govern-
ment supported Ms Goulard, 54, yes-
terday, saying that she had been “fully
cleared” by the European
parliament after she
handed over €45,000 to
reimburse it for a salary
she wrongly paid to an
assistant when she was an
MEP. Members of the par-
liament claimed, however,
that Ms Goulard, an MEP for
seven years, had not been
exonerated. She remains
Sylvie Goulard was a
defence minister
under investigation by Olaf, the EU
anti-fraud office. MEPs are expected to
question Ms Goulard about the alleged
fraudulent use of EU funds to pay her
assistant and others in the Democratic
Movement (MoDem) party, the cen-
trist group to which she belongs.
She resigned as defence minister in
Mr Macron’s first government in June
2017 after a month in office when the
party’s leadership came under criminal
investigation in relation to the affair.
For the first time yesterday police
questioned François Bayrou, the Mo-
Dem president, and Marielle de Sarnez,
his deputy, over allegations that staff
based in Paris were paid with EU parlia-
FGM
mentary funds although they had no
work involving the institution.
Mr Bayrou, whose support was vital
in Mr Macron’s 2017 election, reluc-
tantly resigned as justice minister after
the scandal broke.
Ms Goulard is also facing questions
after taking €10,000 a month for three
years from the Berggruen Institute, a
US think tank.
Amélie de Montchalin, the French
European affairs minister, said yester-
day that Mr Macron considered Ms
Goulard to be a “great European”. She
added, however, that Ms Goulard had
to explain her think tank salary.
Opponents in Paris and Brussels are
questioning her appointment. Yannick
Jadot, an MEP for the French Greens,
tweeted: “So something that prevents
you being a minister in France is unim-
portant on the European scale!”
Paris media said that Ms Goulard’s
appointment was fragile.
Jean-Christophe Picard, the head of
Anticor, a French anti-corruption
NGO, said: “I am surprised that they
want to recycle people who are targeted
in misconduct inquiries . . . when there
are excellent people to promote who
would not create any problem.”
Mr Picard added that the high
monthly pay from the US think tank
was a source of concern.
Reindeer crash
sends 22 troops
to hospital
Finland
David Crossland
A reindeer disrupted a Finnish military
exercise by crossing the road in front of
a convoy of armoured vehicles, causing
a pile-up that led to 22 soldiers being
taken to hospital.
“A Pasi armoured personnel carrier
crashed into the one in front, which
swerved to avoid a reindeer,” a state-
ment from the army’s Kainuu Brigade
said. “The vehicles were carrying a total
of 28 people, including 27 conscripts.”
The soldiers were taken to Lapland
Central Hospital and Sarriojarvi Camp
Hospital. While most were allowed to
leave on Wednesday morning, five
were kept in for observation. By the aft-
ernoon all had been able to return to
their unit and resume training as part of
a local defence exercise, the army said.
It was unclear what happened to the
reindeer.
Finnish Lapland is home to some
340,000 reindeer during the summer
and there are between 3,000 and 5,000
accidents a year involving them, ac-
cording to media reports.
They are prone to gallop on to roads
to escape the mosquitoes that invade
the region’s forests over the summer. In
the winter, accidents increase because
of the longer hours of darkness.
In recent years, some breeders have
experimented with spraying glow-in-
the-dark paint on to the animals’ ant-
lers to make them more visible.
In the Winter War against the Soviet
Union in 1939-40 the outnumbered
Finns used reindeer to help transport
equipment across country silently, al-
lowing them to ambush Soviet troops
during the long Arctic nights.
The animals are semi-domesticated
and each one belongs to a herder. They
are rounded up and counted twice a
year. Reindeer husbandry is the oldest
profession in Northern Finland and re-
mains an important source of income
for people there.
Reindeer races have been staged
since the 1930s.
Thursday September 12 2019 | the times
France calls for Epstein
victims to speak up
Paris French police are appealing
for victims and witnesses to come
forward to aid their inquiry into
Jeffrey Epstein and anyone else
who may have been involved in
the disgraced financier’s alleged
exploitation of women and girls.
Virginia Roberts Giuffre, Epstein’s
most high-profile accuser,
claimed in court documents filed
in 2015 and unsealed last month
that Epstein had 12-year-old
French triplets flown from France
to Miami so he could abuse them
as a “birthday present”. Police are
investigating any crimes on
French soil or involving French
citizens abroad. Three women
claiming to be victims have
already been interviewed. (AP)
Israeli PM ‘jeopardising
peace deal with Jordan’
Amman Jordan’s peace treaty
with Israel is under threat after
Binyamin Netanyahu’s pledge to
annex a third of the West Bank,
Atef Tarawneh, the Jordanian
parliament’s speaker, said. Israel
had “broken international treaties
and resolutions”. Mr Netanyahu
has vowed to extend sovereignty
over the Jordan Valley and
northern Dead Sea if re-elected
as prime minister next week.
Hungary is sending a
diplomat to Damascus
Budapest Hungary is to become
the first EU state to upgrade its
presence in Syria since the start
of the war in 2011. The foreign
ministry in Budapest said that it
planned to appoint a diplomat to
carry out “consular duties” on
occasional visits to Damascus
next year. A source said Hungary
was considering engaging with
President Assad to better help
Christians in Syria. (AFP)
Schools closed as fires
emit dangerous haze
Jakarta Schools have been
shuttered on the Indonesian
island of Sumatra to protect
children from a noxious haze
released by forest fires. More
than 3,600 fires have led to low
air quality in six provinces that
are home to more than 23 million
people. More than 9,000 workers
are fighting the fires, which are
deliberately set almost yearly as
land is cleared for planting. (AP)
Two pilots die as cargo
plane crashes in flames
Toledo Two pilots were killed
when their cargo plane crashed
as it came in to land in Ohio,
hitting vehicles and bursting into
flames. The Convair 440 aircraft
was approaching the Toledo-
Express airport when it came
down on the premises of a freight
company. No one on the ground
was hurt. The crew did not
declare an emergency before the
crash. (AP)
Trump golf holes ‘torn
up by Swift intruder’
New York A man is accused of
causing more than $20,000
damage to President Trump’s golf
course. A vehicle was twice seen
driving around the course in
Bedminster, New Jersey in tight
circles this month, the authorities
claimed. Richard McEwan, 26,
charged last month with breaking
into the singer Taylor Swift’s
home, was charged with criminal
mischief.(AP)
the times | Thursday September 12 2019 FGM 31

World
KEVIN DIETSCH/UPI/ALAMY LIVE NEWS

Trump wants
all flavoured
e-cigarettes
off the shelves
United States
Boer Deng Washington
The Trump administration plans to ban
all flavoured e-cigarette products amid
increasing concerns over the health
risks posed by vaping, especially to
teenagers.
Alexander Azar, the health secretary,
announced yesterday that all non-
tobacco flavoured vaping products
would be removed from the market in
the coming months amid alarm over an
epidemic of lung illnesses.
More than 450 cases of lung disease
related to vaping have been reported in
recent months and six deaths — one on
Tuesday — have been linked to vaping.
Mr Azar made the announcement
Teenagers are believed to be attracted
to flavourings used in vaping devices
during a White House meeting with
President Trump. Details of the ban
would be published in the coming
weeks after which retailers would have
30 days before it was enforced, he said.
Mr Trump said: “Vaping has become
a very big business in a very short
period of time but we can’t allow people
to get sick and we can’t have our youth
being so affected.” The first lady was
deeply concerned, he said.
“She’s seen it, we’re both reading it. A
lot of people are reading it. And people
are dying with vaping, so we’re looking
at it very closely,” he said.
Health officials have been concerned
by a rise in the number of teenagers
who have been using e-cigarettes to
take in nicotine and cannabis products.
The smokeless alternatives to tobac-
co cigarettes have created a new gener-
ation of nicotine addicts, public health
officials fear.
The vapouriser devices can also be
loaded with products that deliver can-
nabis, which are suspected of causing
the lung disease epidemic, though ex-
perts are still investigating. Officials
have warned people not to use vapour-
isers in any form given the risks.
More than 3.6 million American
children reported vaping last year, ac-
cording to the National Youth Tobacco
Survey — a sharp reversal from years
of declining nicotine use among
minors.
Critics accused e-cigarette compa-
nies of targeting young users by offer-
ing the nicotine products in child-
friendly flavours such as bubble gum or
strawberries.
Nora Volkow, director of the
National Institute on Drug Abuse said:
“Teens are clearly attracted to the Quiet contemplation President Trump and Melania led a White House tribute yesterday to the victims of the 9/11 attacks
marketable technology and flavourings
seen in vaping devices.”
E-cigarette companies said that their
products were not intended for child-
ren, but for adults attempting to quit
smoking, and that they had taken steps
Republicans squeak home in key seat
to prevent teenagers purchasing them. David Charter Washington turn out and retain the seat. The seat trict, however, and the president may
However, Mr Azar said: “The data was contested after the mid-term elect- have been referring to internal party
shows that kids are getting access to President Trump took the credit yes- ion result, also a narrow Republican polling.
these products in spite of our best terday for a narrow Republican victory win, was thrown out for the mishan- The results underscored the rural-
efforts at retail enforcement and in a conservative North Carolina seat in dling of postal votes by a Republican urban split between the parties, with
controlling locations.” a contest seen as a likely bellwether for consultant. Mr Bishop gathering substantial num-
Besides removing flavoured e-ciga- next year’s general election. Along with a comfortable win in a bers in outlying areas and Dan
rettes from sale, the new policy would The “pro-life, pro-gun, pro-wall” second North Carolina House of Rep- McCready, 36, his opponent, eroding
require makers of e-cigarette packets to Republican candidate Dan Bishop, 55, resentatives district in a solidly Repub- Republican support in the suburbs.
seek approval from the Food and Drug tied himself tightly to Mr Trump, who lican area, Mr Trump tweeted “two big Michael Bitzer, a politics professor at
Administration (FDA) by May 2020. staged an election eve rally for him victories” and a poster depicting Catawba College in North Carolina,
The FDA has had the authority to ban along with Mike Pence, the vice-presi- “Trump 2024” in a suggestion that he, said the narrow margin suggested that
vaping flavours since 2016, but has re- dent. Mr Bishop recorded a two-point or a member of his family, would con- the country’s other closely divided
sisted calls to take that step. margin of victory over a centrist Demo- test that year’s election. swing districts “could be still up for
A ban on flavours would represent a cratic candidate. “Dan Bishop was down 17 points grabs”. David Wasserman, of the non-
huge blow to the vaping industry, in- Mr Trump carried the district by 12 3 weeks ago. He then asked me for help, partisan Cook Political Report, said
cluding companies such as Juul, which points in 2016, however, and the result we changed his strategy together, and that rural voters were behind Mr
has grown into a multibillion-dollar suggested he had lost ground among he ran a great race. Big Rally last night,” Bishop’s win and tweeted that his
business by selling mint, fruit and suburban voters while relying on rural Mr Trump tweeted. No independent narrow margin of victory was “still bad
dessert-flavoured nicotine products. supporters who answered his call to polls have been published for the dis- news for the House GOP overall”.

Trudeau lags behind election rival Potty-mouthed politicians

Canada
Charlie Mitchell Toronto
Justin Trudeau, the prime minister of
Canada, is facing his sternest test as he
started a six-week election campaign
yesterday trailing his conservative rival.
The Liberal Party leader said after
dissolving parliament that his country
would face a choice on October 21
between moving forward or returning
“to the failed policies of the past”.
Mr Trudeau gained a record 148 seats
in 2015, emerging as a darling of pro-
gressives worldwide. An ethics scandal,
his purchase of a controversial oil pipe-
line and an embarrassing trip to India
have sent his popularity plummeting.
The prime minister, 47, plans to cam-
paign on the environment, job creation
and poverty reduction. “Conservatives
like to say they’re for the people,” he
said. “But then they cut taxes for the
wealthy and cut services for everybody
else. We’ve done a lot together these
past four years but the truth is we’re just
getting started.”
He is struggling to deflect criticism,
however, after he was found to have
violated ethics laws. An independent
commissioner said last month that he
pressured his attorney-general to ter-
minate a criminal prosecution of SNC-
Lavalin, an engineering firm that em-
ploys thousands in his native Quebec.
The Globe and Mail newspaper
accused him yesterday of blocking a
police investigation into his adminis-
tration by refusing to lift cabinet confi-
dentiality for witnesses.
Andrew Scheer, 40, the Conservative
Party leader, said that Mr Trudeau had
“lost the moral authority to govern”.
“What today shows is that you just
cannot trust Justin Trudeau,” he said,
calling his opponent a liar.
A recent poll by Nanos Research
found that 16.5 per cent of Canadians
thought that Mr Trudeau would make
the most ethical leader, behind Mr
Scheer on 20 per cent. Mr Trudeau’s
latest approval rating is 31 per cent. His
party is polling at 34 per cent, a point
behind the Conservatives.
“The SNC-Lavalin scandal could
keep soft Liberal support at home,”
Kate Harrison, the vice-president of
Summa Strategies, said. The political
strategy company is predicting a hung
parliament.
The Conservatives have latched on
to the SNC-Lavalin scandal, while the
Liberals have accused Mr Scheer of
having archaic views on abortion and
LGBT rights. Ms Harrison said: “This
will be a very negative campaign.”
can’t stop turning air blue
Boer Deng
Swearing among elected US politicians
has risen tenfold since President
Trump was elected, a study has found.
Members of Congress used swear
words such as f***, shit, bitch and ass-
hole nearly 1,900 times on Twitter this
year, said Govpredict, a public relations
firm, up from 193 times in 2016.
The increase appears to coincide
with greater anger with politics gener-
ally among Americans, and frustration
with Mr Trump among Democrats.
Seven in ten voters are angry with
American democracy, with more than
half of Democratic voters feeling
especially aggrieved, compared with
29 per cent of Republicans, according
to a recent WSJ/NBC News poll.
Govpredict found that Democrats
cursed more than Republicans on
Twitter over the past two years.
Within the past month Democratic
challengers hoping to take on Mr
Trump have used damn, f*** and bull-
shit to decry the state of the country.
Beto O’Rourke, 46, a former congress-
man seeking the Democratic nomina-
tion, has been the most profane, calling
a mass shooting in Texas “f***ed up”.
Trump critics blame the president for
coarsening the debate. Before the 2016
election a recording emerged in which
he claimed he could “grab [women] by
the pussy”. Last year it was reported
that he had referred to immigrants
coming from “shithole countries”.
32
World
AMIR COHEN/REUTERS
Old friend threatens to
bring down Netanyahu
Israel
Anshel Pfeffer Jerusalem
Avigdor Lieberman is the only politi-
cian in Israel who wears a tie clip, and it
seems out of place on the informal
Israeli political scene, where Knesset
members often address parliament in
shirtsleeves and arrive at meetings
wearing sandals.
Avigdor Lieberman has refused to join another Netanyahu-led government For years, the man who emigrated at
FGM
the age of 20 to Israel in 1978 from the
Soviet Union tried to blend in. He
changed his original name, Evet, to the
Hebrew “Avigdor” and built a home in
the West Bank, but he was incapable of
shaking his heavy Russian accent and
the outsider image never left him. So he
tried instead to style himself as the
responsible grown-up of Israeli nation-
alism, with the help of a tie clip.
Now he is at the centre of a row that
goes to the heart of Israel’s religious-
secular divide and which could decide
the fate of his one-time friend Binyam-
in Netanyahu: ultra-orthodox enlist-
ment in the army. As Israel prepares to
go to the polls on Tuesday, the man who
helped to make Mr Netanyahu’s polit-
ical career could be the one to break it.
Since becoming a member of Likud
in the mid-1980s, Mr Lieberman has
tried to position himself at the centre of
power. Early in his career he became
allied to a young Netanyahu on his
meteoric rise, and went from being his
gopher to serving as Likud chief execu-
tive and then director-general of the
prime minister’s office when Mr Netan-
yahu took power in 1996.
In 1998 he broke with his patron and
founded a rival right-wing party, Yisra-
el Beiteinu which over two decades has
flitted in and out of coalitions.
Mr Lieberman, 61, has served under
Mr Netanyahu, 69, as foreign minister,
defence minister and deputy prime
minister but four months ago he
refused to join another government, in-
sisting instead on passing a law setting
quotas for religious students to enlist in
the army; a law that Mr Netanyahu’s
other allies, the ultra-orthodox parties,
vetoed. Since then his tone has become
increasingly belligerent. “He said to me
he is going to end Netanyahu’s career,”
one former Israeli minister said.
Mr Lieberman told a conference yes-
terday that should Likud and its allies
fail to win a majority next week, “Net-
anyahu’s historic role is over. The Likud
members will move him out. He’ll be
deposed the next day”.
He accused the prime minister of
“surrendering to terror, surrendering to
Sisi and generals ‘building
palace and villas corruptly’
Egypt
Magdy Samaan Cairo
An Egyptian businessman has rattled
the military-led regime by posting vid-
eos online that claim he received cor-
rupt building contracts from the army
and its generals, including President Sisi.
Mohamed Ali, 45, worked for the
Egyptian army for 15 years but after a
dispute about payments he went into
self-imposed exile in Spain, from where
he posted the videos on social media.
He claims that generals have wasted
millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money
on villas, hotels and a seaside palace for
the president.
Mr Sisi, who was defence minister
before overthrowing the Muslim Broth-
erhood and President Morsi in a coup in
2013, has already been criticised for
wasting public funds on vanity projects
such as a new capital city and a Suez
Canal extension.
Mr Ali said that Mr Sisi had taken
low-level corruption, for which Egypt
has been notorious, to a new level. In
one video Mr Ali claimed he built five
villas for Mr Sisi’s aides and a palace for
Thursday September 12 2019 | the times
the ultra-orthodox and running away
from the deficit”, and mocked Mr
Netanyahu’s vow to annex the Jordan
Valley, part of the occupied West Bank,
should he be re-elected:
Those close to Mr Lieberman say he
knows he will not be prime minister, but
that he wants to be in a position of influ-
ence on the government’s policies and
has reached the conclusion that with
his old friend-turned-foe Mr Netanya-
Aggregate polling
August 15-28
Arab Left-wing Centrist
Right-wing Right-wing Orthodox
120 seats Yisrael
(Majority:61) Beiteinu 10
Blue and Likud 31
White 30
Yamina 10
Gesher 6
Democratic
Union 7 Shas 8
Joint
List 11 Oppose Support UTJ 7
Netanyahu Netanyahu
for PM (54) for PM (56)
Source: British Israel
Communication and Research Centre
hu no one has any influence any more.
Mr Netanyahu’s base of power is the
small majority that Likud and the other
right-wing and religious parties enjoy.
Mr Lieberman has now upended that
structure. He has positioned Yisrael
Beiteinu as a secular right-wing party,
and promised not to join a government
in which the religious parties will have
disproportionate influence. This ap-
peals to many Israelis, even on the right,
who resent the fact that the ultra-
orthodox rabbis control matters such as
marriage and divorce, and that the
young men and women of their com-
munity do not serve in the military.
In the previous election, in April, Yis-
rael Beiteinu, whose voter base consists
mainly of elderly pensioners from the
former Soviet Union, barely scraped in
to the 120-seat Knesset with five seats.
Now in almost all the polls it is receiving
double that number of seats.
the president in a military camp in
Cairo. He said that Mr Sisi decided not
to stay in the palace. He claimed to have
built a home in Alexandria for the Sisi
family, despite there being an official
residence in the same compound. He
said that modifications demanded by
Mr Sisi’s wife cost more than 25 million
Egyptian pounds (£1.25 million).
These were on top of the giant presi-
dential complex Mr Sisi is having built
in his new capital. Mr Ali also said the
army ordered him to build a £100 mil-
lion hotel in Cairo’s Fifth Settlement.
The army controls large parts of the
economy and security constraints are
tight, making it hard to distinguish state
funds and the private returns to army
figures associated with its companies.
Jobs on company boards are an ac-
knowledged perk for retired generals.
Mr Sisi has issued no formal com-
ment but state media have begun a
smear campaign against Mr Ali. “Your
army and your country are on the side
of righteousness,” a leading television
anchor, Ahmed Moussa, said, directing
his comments to Mr Ali. “If you do not
support them now, when will you?”
the times | Thursday September 12 2019
Prosecco purists lament its growing popularity
Italy
Tom Kington Rome
The makers of some of Italy’s finest
sparkling wines have removed the
name “prosecco” from their labels
because they say the designation has
been sullied.
Their action comes as production in
Italy rose to meet worldwide demand,
with the UK — the top market by
volume — consuming 121 million
bottles last year.
Now some established growers have
accused newer vineyards with indus-
trialised high-volume production tech-
niques of cheapening the brand. “Our
image and the perception of our
denomination is being damaged by the
production of half a billion bottles of
Seasons to be cheerful Winter sports fans got a welcome surprise when snow fell in the Austrian Alps, including the Stubai Glacier, providing good skiing conditions
Doctor acquitted in euthanasia case Steals on wheels: five thefts
Netherlands
Bruno Waterfield Brussels
A doctor who administered a lethal
injection to a woman with severe
dementia, even though she resisted and
had to be restrained by relatives, has
been acquitted by Dutch judges.
A court in the Hague said that the
unnamed doctor, 68, did not have a case
to answer for murder after a trial that
divided the medical profession and
ignited a national debate on euthan-
asia.
Dutch law requires a doctor to ensure
that euthanasia — usually by a drug
overdose administered orally or inject-
ed — is voluntary and performed in a
medically proper manner.
The case involved a 74-year-old
woman who had been admitted to a
nursing home with severe dementia. It
FGM
prosecco that have no history and no
links to the land,” said Loris Dall’Acqua,
a co-founder of the Col Vetoraz vine-
yard near Venice, which removed
“prosecco” from its label fearing that it
was becoming associated with inferior
wine.
Complaints about the damage to the
prosecco name comes from producers
in the hills of the Veneto region around
Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, the
traditional source of the wine, which
produces 90 million bottles a year, all
identified with the prestigious DOCG
(denomination of controlled and guar-
anteed origin).
Yet as demand grew, a decade ago the
authorities gave the lesser DOC (de-
nomination of controlled origin) status
to growers in nine provinces covering
is the first time that a doctor has been
prosecuted under the Termination of
Life on Request and Assisted Suicide
Act 2002, despite more than 6,000
medically assisted deaths a year.
Mariette Renckens, the presiding
judge, acknowledged that the verdict
would inflame the “deeply sensitive”
debate as she acquitted the doctor of all
charges. “We conclude that all require-
ments of the euthanasia legislation had
been met,” she said to applause in the
court. “We believe that given the deeply
demented condition of the patient the
doctor did not need to verify her wish
for euthanasia.”
Four years before her death in 2016
the woman had made a written state-
ment requesting euthanasia rather
than being put into a home for people
with dementia.
On the day of her death, she was
flatter lands in Veneto and in the neigh-
bouring region of Friuli Venezia Giulia,
which together produced a record
464 million bottles last year, more than
five times the DOCG production.
Turning their nose up at their neigh-
bouring producers in the lowlands,
8 per cent of the DOCG growers have
already followed the example of Col
Vetoraz and dropped the name prosec-
co from their bottles. Other producers
are expected to follow suit.
“The DOCG growers feel their
product is better thanks to the different
drainage, soil, elevation and exposure
on the hills, but it gets confused with the
DOC product,” one vineyard owner
said.
Col Vetoraz vineyard said: “The cen-
turies-old history of the Conegliano
given a sedative without her knowledge
in a cup of coffee but then stood and
resisted, pulling her hands back, when
the lethal injection was given.
According to the euthanasia review
board her husband and daughter
“helped to restrain the patient”, which
raised a question over whether the pro-
cedure was voluntary.
Marijanne van der Schalk, a doctor
who works in euthanasia, said: “You
have to respect resistance during euth-
anasia. That is where the execution of
euthanasia ends.”
Robert-Jan van Eenennaam, the law-
yer for the doctor, said that she would
be delighted. Prosecutors said that the
authorities would consider appealing
against the verdict.
The woman’s daughter said: “The
doctor freed my mother from the
mental prison in which she ended up.”
Valdobbiadene hills got a violent shock
in 2009 when a decision inspired by
politics and business meant prosecco
was no longer coming from the vines
that 800 years ago found their ideal
home.”
The lowland vineyards “lack history,
while cultivation is not passed down
through generations but has taken on
an industrial feel”, its statement said.
“Today the word prosecco has become
generalised.”
Stefano Zanette, the head of the con-
sortium of DOC growers, told the news
agency ANSA: “They have the right to
decide their name, and give up the
name prosecco, but I find it inexplicable
that in this way they denigrate the work
of others.”
Even the head of the consortium that
S GEITL/STUBAIER GLETSCHER/PA
in 25 minutes on a moped
Tom Kington
An armed robber in Rome appears to be
setting himself efficiency targets as he
attempted to rob six shops in 25 min-
utes this week.
His breathtaking criminal spree
shaved five minutes off the half an hour
needed to rob six shops in Rome last
month by a man police believe is the
same robber.
The criminal, who wears a motor-
cycle helmet and speaks with a Roman
accent, first took the city by storm on
August 26, when between 12.30 and
1pm he forced staff in supermarkets,
chemists and tobacconists to hand over
a total of €3,000, whizzing between the
victims on a moped and vanishing
33
World
represents DOCG growers had his
doubts, warning that calling prosecco
“Conegliano” or “Valdobbiadene” over-
seas would backfire.
“Rather than changing the name, we
need to remind customers that there is
a superior prosecco as well as regular
prosecco,” Innocente Nardi said.
Luca Zaia, the governor of the Veneto
region, who created the DOC denomi-
nation in 2009, claimed that confused
customers would simply buy more
DOC prosecco.
An official at one of the vineyards
that has decided to drop the name also
admitted that the change would be
challenge.
“It’s true to say that people overseas
will have a very hard time pronouncing
the word ‘Valdobbiadene’,” she said.
Migrant ship
divides Italy’s
new coalition
Tom Kington
The first cracks are appearing in the
new Italian coalition government after
the leader of one party demanded a
charity rescue ship be allowed to dis-
embark 84 migrants in Italy immedi-
ately, “no ifs or buts”.
Nicola Zingaretti, who leads the
centre-left Democratic Party, inter-
vened as the Ocean Viking, operated by
Doctors Without Borders, waited for a
fourth day for a response from Italy to
her request for a safe port.
Migration has become the early
flashpoint for the Democrats and Five
Star, two previous foes who formed a
government last week after the coali-
tion involving Five Star and the League,
led by Matteo Salvini, collapsed last
month. As interior minister, Mr Salvini
banned rescue boats from ports.
A second ship, the German charity-
operated Alan Kurdi, was also denied an
Italian port this week to land five mi-
grants. She eventually docked in Malta.
A spokeswoman for the rescue char-
ity Open Arms challenged the govern-
ment over Mr Zingaretti’s appeal, ask-
ing: “Is he not part of this government?”
Luigi Di Maio, the Five Star leader,
has sought to focus on persuading EU
states to divide up migrants as soon as
they arrive in Italian waters, an effort
taken up by Giuseppe Conte, the prime
minister, yesterday when he met the in-
coming head of the European Commis-
sion, Ursula von der Leyen, in Brussels.
before police arrived. The first raids
were near the Testaccio district and
Monday’s thefts took place in the San
Giovanni area.
His first act at 3.41pm was to steal a
moped at gunpoint. He then used it for
the rest of his crimes.
He fled his first attempted robbery at
a chemists when staff refused to hand
over money. However, he carried out
his last three robberies in four minutes,
between 4.02 and 4.06pm — a total of
only 25 minutes, although his failure to
rob the chemist reduced his number of
successful heists.
Police again arrived on the scene
after the man fled, with another €3,000
haul. They are now studying CCTV
footage to establish his identity.
34
World
Abe elevates potential successor to cabinet
Japan
Richard Lloyd Parry Tokyo
He has the famous father, the glamor-
ous celebrity wife, and now for the first
time in his career, he has real power.
In a reshuffle yesterday, Shinjiro Koi-
zumi, the son of the charismatic former
prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, was
confirmed as a rising political star and
potential Japanese leader when he was
elevated to the cabinet.
As the new environment minister,
Mr Koizumi, 38, faces the problem of
how to dispose of more than a million
tonnes of radioactive water from the
Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power
plant. But as a member of the cabinet,
the third youngest in Japanese history,
he will also be scrutinised for his suita-
bility as a future leader, as the ruling
China holds
Taiwan man
who visited
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Didi Tang Beijing
A Taiwanese businessman who went
missing for three weeks after he en-
tered Hong Kong is under investigation
by the Chinese authorities for endan-
gering state security.
The investigation into Lee Meng-chu
was confirmed at a press conference in
Beijing by Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman
for the mainland Taiwan Affairs Office,
but he gave no further details.
Mr Lee, 44, who runs an optical com-
pany, was last in contact with a friend in
Taiwan on August 20 when he shared a
photo of armed Chinese police gather-
ing on the border as a deterrent to Hong
Kong protesters, who have been taking
to the streets for the past 14 weeks.
His detention raised concerns once
again over the opaqueness of China’s
judicial system, which set off mass pro-
tests in June after the Hong Kong gov-
ernment proposed an extradition bill
that would allow residents to be sent to
the mainland to face trial. Carrie Lam,
the Hong Kong chief executive, has
scrapped the bill but the protests have
broadened into a pro-democracy
movement.
Chen Ya-lin, a friend of Mr Lee, told
Taiwanese media that the arrested man
was never engaged in political activity
but was merely a businessman interest-
ed in public affairs. Mr Lee travelled to
Hong Kong on August 18 as a tourist
and shared a photo of the protests with
Mr Chen. He is understood to have
visited Shenzhen, the neighbouring
mainland city, the next day and dined
with friends. He was expected to return
to Hong Kong on August 20, but has not
been heard from since, according to Mr
Chen.
The authorities in Shenzhen told Mr
Lee’s family that he had not entered the
mainland city and advised them to
make inquiries with the Hong Kong
authorities. “The outside world would
have no idea if he’d been subject to tor-
ture, forced to confess or been framed
up,” Mr Chen said.
In a similar case Simon Cheng, 28, an
employee at the British consulate in
Hong Kong, was missing for nearly two
weeks before the Chinese authorities
confirmed that he had been detained by
Shenzhen police on the charge of pay-
ing for sexual services. He had gone to
the city for a business meeting.
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) pre-
pares itself for life after Shinzo Abe, 64.
“The LDP is a reservoir of talent —
senior, middle-aged and young,” Mr
Abe said as he introduced Mr Koizumi
in his cabinet reshuffle. “Among the
young I have chosen Shinjiro Koizumi.
We face problems of plastic waste in the
ocean, climate change. I trust that he
will tackle such problems with the fresh
and innovative ideas of a young man.”
Mr Koizumi’s father was prime min-
ister from 2001 to 2006 and was one of
Japan’s most popular leaders. His
parents divorced when he was one and
he was brought up by his aunt. Until he
went to secondary school he believed
that she was his mother.
On his father’s retirement from
politics in 2009, he was elected to his
vacant constituency in the naval port of
School’s in The princesses Sofía and Leonor, daughters of Spain’s King Felipe, wave farewell to the summer holidays in Madrid
Thai PM defends heroin-smuggler aide
Thailand
Richard Lloyd Parry Asia Editor
Thailand’s prime minister has defended
a senior member of his government
exposed as a heroin smuggler, saying
that the revelations were “small issues”
and that questions about it upset him.
An Australian newspaper revealed
that Prayuth Chan-ocha’s deputy agri-
culture minister and political enforcer
Thammanat Prompao served a four-
year prison sentence in Australia for his
part in trafficking 3.2kg of heroin from
Bangkok to Sydney in 1993.
Thailand has the death penalty for
drug smuggling and under the consti-
tution convicted traffickers are barred
from government. However, the gov-
ernment insists that the rule does not
apply to convictions in foreign courts.
General Prayuth, pressed on the sub-
ject by reporters, said testily: “All past
governments also had faults. You often
ask questions that ruin my mood.”
Shinjiro Koizumi, right, whose father,
Junichiro, led Japan for five years
Yokosuka, where he might have been
just another hereditary MP surviving
on the strength of his family name —
both his grandfather and great-grand-
father were well-known politicians. But
The Sydney Morning Herald reported
on Monday that Thammanat, 53, was
convicted for his role in smuggling
heroin with a value of up to A$4.1 million
(£2.3 million). According to the report,
based on court records, he helped to
arrange a visa and airline tickets for a
female drug courier and was present
when she packed the drugs into her bag
in Bangkok. He also transported them
after their arrival in Sydney.
After informing on other Thai drug
smugglers he received a reduced pris-
on sentence of five years rather than
nine, and was paroled after four. He
was immediately deported to Thai-
land, where he rejoined the army
and soon began to climb the polit-
ical ladder.
As well as his ministerial
post, Thammanat serves
as the fixer and co-ordi-
Thammanat Prompao
spent four years in jail
FGM
he has established himself as a shrewd
and likeable figure who has moved
steadily up the political pole, without
committing himself to a particular ide-
ology or set of interests.
He has clearly impressed Mr Abe,
who is expected to retire in 2021, by
which time he will be the longest serv-
ing prime minister in Japanese history.
Last Mr Koizumi announced his en-
gagement to Christel Takigawa, 41, a
half-French and half-Japanese televi-
sion presenter, who is pregnant with
their first child.
Mr Koizumi has never identified
himself with the far-right nationalists
who have been in the ascendant under
Mr Abe and whose defiant views about
Japan’s actions during the Second
World War and before it have alienated
many in East Asia. Many Japanese may
GTRES/SPLASH NEWS
nator of the political parties in General
Prayuth’s coalition government. After
seizing power in a coup in 2014 General
Prayuth held elections in March but
failed to win an outright majority.
Thammanat has denied the Austra-
lian report and has threatened to sue.
He says that he was arrested after he in-
nocently found himself in a house oc-
cupied by drug smugglers, which was
raided by police. He insists that he was
convicted of only a minor offence and
released after a few months, after
which he lived and worked in Syd-
ney for four years.
He claimed that this week’s
news article was written by
enemies in Thailand who gave it to
Australian journalists.
In 1998 Thammanat
was charged over the rape
and murder of a gay aca-
demic but was acquitted
after three years in de-
tention.
Thursday September 12 2019 | the times
feel that a more moderate, conciliatory
and liberal leader will serve the country
better in the post-Abe era.
Mr Koizumi said he would take time
off work after his child was born and
that he supported the right of women to
retain their surnames after marriage,
neither of them attitudes popular with
his party’s right wing.
Polls show that he is by far the most
popular choice to succeed as prime
minister, with 29 per cent support com-
pared with 13 per cent for the powerful
faction leader, Shigeru Ishiba.
Other changes include Taro Kono
moving from the foreign ministry to de-
fence, where he will deal with North
Korea’s missile threat. Seiko Hashimo-
to, a former speed skater and one of on-
ly two women in the cabinet, becomes
minister for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Ardern loses
party chief
over claims
of sex assault
New Zealand
Bernard Lagan Sydney
The New Zealand prime minister apol-
ogised yesterday after her ruling
Labour Party’s president was forced to
resign over the handling of violent
sexual assault allegations.
The episode is an embarrassment to
Jacinda Ardern and her government,
the more so because it is the second
time since her election in 2017 that the
party has faced similar allegations.
Ms Ardern said that Nigel Haworth,
the party president, stepped down after
an account by a party volunteer was
published on Monday in which she
claimed that she was sexually attacked
by a Labour employee at his home last
year. The woman, then aged 19, said
that she told the party about the assault
at a meeting with Mr Haworth last Oct-
ober and again in March this year. Mr
Haworth claimed this week that he had
not been told the allegations included
sexual assault.
The woman is one of at least seven
people who have made formal com-
plaints against the same man, including
bullying, intimidation, sexual harass-
ment and sexual assault.
Ms Ardern said: “In the last 48 hours
I have read incredibly distressing re-
ports of an alleged sexual assault in-
volving members of the Labour Party.”
She said that correspondence from
complainants showed the allegations
“were extremely serious, that the [in-
vestigation] process caused complain-
ants additional distress and that ulti-
mately, in my view, the party was never
equipped to appropriately deal with the
issue.”
Ms Ardern said that Mr Haworth
stood by his previous statements but
added: “I believe mistakes were made.”
She said that she had accepted Mr
Haworth’s resignation. “On behalf of
the Labour Party I apologise to the
complainants for the way this matter
has been dealt with,” she said. “The
issues brought to the party should have
been dealt with externally.”
She was seeking advice on the
alleged offender’s continued employ-
ment. A 21-year-old person was
charged with groping and inappropri-
ately touching and kissing four other
guests at a Young Labour summer
camp last year after excessive drinking.
That case is before the courts.
the times | Thursday September 12 2019 FGM 35

Business
world markets (Change on the day) commodities currencies
FTSE 100 Dow Jones Gold Brent crude (6pm) £/$ £/€
7,338.03 (+70.08) 27,137.04 (+227.61) $1,494.20 (+0.15) $ $59.84 (-2.04) $ $1.2328 (-0.0026) $ €1.1207 (+0.0021) ¤
7,800 28,500 1,600 70 1.300 1.150

7,400 26,500 1,500 62 1.250 1.100

7,000 24,500 1,400 54 1.200 1.050

6,600 22,500 1,300 46 1.150 1.000

Aug 13 21 30 Sept 9 Aug 13 21 29 Sept 9 Aug 14 22 30 Sept 9 Aug 14 22 30 Sept 9 Aug 14 22 30 Sept 9 Aug 14 22 30 Sept 9

MAI SHANGMIN/CHINA NEWS SERVICE/VCG/GETTY

We’ll double
agency’s size
in two years,
says Sorrell
Simon Duke Technology Business Editor
Sir Martin Sorrell said yesterday that
he was on track to double the size of his
digital advertising agency after win-
ning contracts from several heavy-
weight clients.
He said that S4 Capital remained a
“blip” but increasingly was pitching for
work from some of the world’s largest
companies. It has signed deals with
Procter & Gamble, Nestlé, Coca-Cola
and Sprint, the American telecoms
group.
By 2021, he said, revenues would be
twice as large as they were when he set
up S4 Capital last year. “We want to
double the size of the business in three
years, organically, and we’re well on the
way to doing that,” Sir Martin, 74, said.
The guidance suggests that Sir
Martin’s network is in good shape,
despite his fractious departure from
Laura Cha, chairwoman of the Hong Kong stock exchange, and Charles Li, chief executive, second from right, at its opening in February for Chinese lunar new year WPP in April last year. Sir Martin had
built WPP into the world’s largest

Hong Kong exchange faces

advertising and marketing conglom-
erate during 33 years with the group.
After an investigation into his conduct,
he left WPP and has strongly denied
wrongdoing.
A month after resigning, he set up S4
Capital with the aim of creating an

uphill battle in London bid
Regulators expected to block daring £32bn takeover move
Ben Martin, Patrick Hosking
An audacious £32 billion approach for
London Stock Exchange Group from
its Hong Kong rival was greeted with
mounting scepticism yesterday amid
expectations that it would be blocked
by American, European or British
regulators.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing
stunned the City by announcing that it
was planning a cash-and-shares offer of
£83.61 on condition that London Stock
Exchange scraps its $27 billion deal to
buy Refinitiv, the financial data busi-
ness.
An initial spike in LSE Group shares
to above £79 was partly reversed amid
expectations that regulators would not
tolerate such a strategically important
part of western capitalism’s infrastruc-
ture being in the hands of a company
partly controlled by the Hong Kong
government and subject to possible
interference from Beijing.
The Treasury gave a cautious initial
verdict, saying: “The London Stock
Exchange is a critically important part
of the UK financial system, so, as you
would expect, the government and the
regulators will be looking at the details
closely. We cannot comment further on
commercial matters.”
Xavier Rolet, a former London Stock
Exchange chief executive who is head
of CQS, the hedge fund group, said that
the US Commodity Futures Trading
Commission, the regulator, would be
nervous about the deal. “Ninety per
cent of US interest rate swaps are now
cleared in London,” he said. “It feels like
a challenging proposition.”
Advisers to HKEX added to the
potential for US opposition by billing
the prospective deal as creating a global
player to challenge the Americans. Two
of the biggest exchange groups are
American — ICE, which owns the New
York Stock Exchange, and CME, the
powerhouse behind commodities and
derivatives exchanges.
HKEX employs about 2,100 people
and is listed on its own market. The
Hong Kong government is its biggest
shareholder, with almost 6 per cent.
From its beginnings in 17th-century
coffee houses in the City, London Stock
Exchange Group has grown into a
leading markets business though which
Britain’s biggest companies raise capital
and have their shares traded. It oper-
ates the wholesale markets’ plumbing
and is regarded by the Bank of England
as systemically crucial.
HKEX is understood to have
approached its target on Monday
before swiftly going public yesterday.
Charles Li, its chief executive, insisted
that “this is not a hostile transaction” —
a claim dismissed as “just complete
tosh” by a banker close to LSE Group.
Laura Cha, chairwoman of the Hong
Kong group, said: “We believe a combi-
nation of HKEX and LSEG represents
a highly compelling strategic opportu-
nity to create a global market infra-
structure group, bringing together the
largest and most significant financial
centres in Asia and Europe.”
London Stock Exchange gave the
proposal a chilly response, calling it
“unsolicited, preliminary and highly
conditional”. It added that it “remains
committed to and continues to make
good progress on its proposed acquisi-
tion of Refinitiv”.
HKEX is proposing to offer £20.45 in
cash and 2.495 new HKEX shares for
every share in the British company,
valuing London Stock Exchange equity
at £29.6 billion. Including debt, the offer
puts a £31.6 billion price tag on the
British company.
Exchange mergers are notoriously
difficult to pull off and in 2017 London
Stock Exchange’s proposed merger
with Deutsche Börse was blocked by
the European Commission on competi-
tion grounds.
In Italy last night Giulio Centemero,
a League Party MP, said that special
powers should be used to protect Italian
interests, saying that trading in Italian
bonds and confidential information on
Italy’s biggest companies went through
Milan’s London-owned Borsa Italiana.
London Stock Exchange Group
shares ended the day up 5.9 per cent at
£72.06. There was speculation that the
proposal could flush out a rival
approach from the United States.
Red flags: takeover analysis, pages 36-37
advertising agency for the digital era.
In July last year he bought Media-
monks, a digital production company,
for €300 million and in December
added Mightyhive, a media consul-
tancy, for $150 million. After spending
£35 million on other deals, S4 Capital
has more than 1,500 workers in 22
countries.
Sir Martin said that he remained on
the acquisition trail and was in talks
with two agencies, one in Britain and
the other in South Korea. The deals
would be funded “internally”, he said,
suggesting that they would be much
smaller than the Mediamonks and
Mightyhive acquisitions.
Sir Martin said that political uncer-
tainties, such as the US-China trade
war and Brexit, were forcing companies
to raise their digital spending. “The ten-
sion between America and China is a
big worry because most of our big
clients have China as their first, second
or third largest market. We’re only a
blip but the uncertainties mean people
accelerate their digital transformation,”
Sir Martin said.
The company reported a 44 per cent
rise in billings to £184.2 million in the six
months to the end of June. Revenues
rose 41 per cent to £88 million. It made
a pre-tax loss of £8.5 million compared
with one of £9.1 million last year. After
adjusting for acquisition-related ex-
penses and other one-off costs, pre-tax
profits would have been £6.5 million.
36
Business
Need to know
1
Boris Johnson wants to “bring
shipbuilding home” and is
preparing to unveil the
preferred bidder for a new
£1.3 billion fleet of Royal Navy
frigates. The government will buy
at least five of the low-cost Type 31
warships for the Royal Navy. The
ships will be built in the UK, with
different elements assembled and
made at various British shipyards.
Page 2
2
A British Airways monopoly
on flights at Heathrow is
probably pushing up the cost
of flying, a study has concluded.
Passengers may be paying up to
10 per cent more in fares because
of the lack of competition at the
airport, WPI Economics, a
consultancy, says in a report being
published today. Page 18
3
Alexander Azar, the US health
secretary, said that all non-
tobacco flavoured vaping
products would be removed from
the American market amid alarm
over an epidemic of lung illnesses
in the country. Page 31
4
An audacious £32 billion bid
for London Stock Exchange
Group from Hong Kong
Exchanges and Clearing was
greeted with mounting scepticism
amid expectations that it would be
blocked by American, European or
British regulators even if it was
agreed by the companies. Page 35
5
Sir Martin Sorrell said that he
was on track to double the
size of his digital advertising
agency after winning contracts
from several heavyweight clients.
S4 Capital has signed deals with
Procter & Gamble, Nestlé, Coca-
Cola and Sprint, the American
telecoms group. Page 35
6
A third of Sports Direct’s
independent investors voted
against Mike Ashley’s re-
election at the company’s annual
meeting. The tycoon controls just
under 63 per cent of the retailer,
making it practically impossible
for investors to oust him. Page 38
7
A polka-dot frock by Zara that
became the dress of the
summer helped to propel sales
at the high street chain’s giant
Spanish owner ahead of high
street rivals. Inditex, the world’s
largest retailer, announced a 7 per
cent rise in half-year sales to
€12.8 billion. Page 40
8
In his penultimate meeting
before stepping down as
president of the European
Central Bank, Mario Draghi is set
to initiate a stimulus programme.
At 1 per cent, eurozone inflation is
half its target rate and growth is
faltering. Page 41
9
Galliford Try has reported a
£61.5 million annual loss for its
construction business only a
day after revealing plans to focus
on the division by selling off its
profitable housebuilding unit to
Bovis Homes.
10 The taxman is in line for a
windfall worth millions of
pounds from
compensation for payment
protection insurance that was mis-
sold to bankrupts. The official
receiver can claim compensation
owed to victims of mis-sold PPI
who later fell bankrupt and can
distribute it to creditors.
Red flags are flying over
The bid to take over
London Stock Exchange
Group is fraught with
political complications,
Ben Martin reports
Charles Li, the football-mad boss of
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing,
went for a kickabout in Regent’s Park on
Sunday afternoon to clear his mind
before a meeting with London Stock
Exchange Group the following day.
Mr Li, 58, was about to embark on the
biggest deal in his company’s history.
On Monday he and Laura Cha, 69,
the Hong Kong group’s chairwoman,
met their LSE counterparts David
Schwimmer, 50, and Don Robert, 60, to
outline their £32 billion bid for the
British company. It is a takeover attempt
fraught with political risk.
London Stock Exchange Group
operates one of the world’s oldest
exchanges and has grown into a leading
financial infrastructure company. It
owns Milan’s Borsa Italiana, as well as
Turquoise, a European equities trading
platform, and LCH, the world’s largest
derivatives clearing house. It is also
behind the FTSE and Russell stock
market indices. Its key position at the
heart of financial markets in London
and Europe makes it a sensitive asset
and the possibility that it could fall into
Chinese hands is likely to draw scrutiny
from governments and regulators.
The controversy surrounding Hua-
wei, the telecoms company that wants
to remain involved in the UK’s rollout of
5G, is emblematic of the suspicion with
which some Chinese businesses are re-
garded in the West.
“An acquisition of LSE would see a
Chinese company acquire the primary
equity markets of both the UK and Italy,
as well as key infrastructure for Euro-
pean debt markets,” analysts at Beren-
berg said. “We believe this transaction
would face elevated political risks.”
Even deals between exchanges that
have not involved a Chinese buyer have
faced opposition. LSE’s third attempt to
merge with Deutsche Börse collapsed
two years ago after the European
Commission vetoed the deal. While the
tie-up ostensibly was blocked on com-
petition grounds, the complications
thrown up by Brexit had made it politi-
cally unpalatable. The merger between
LSE and TMX, the Toronto stock ex-
change owner, in 2011 also failed in the
face of political concerns.
A takeover of the British ex-
change by a company with
close links to the Hong
Kong government
faces even greater
obstacles, which Mr
Li and Ms Cha
sought to play
down yesterday.
“We are not a Chi-
nese company and
we are not even a
simple Hong Kong
company,” Mr Li said.
“We are a global com-
pany, we have global
aspirations.” Ms Cha em-
phasised that the intention was
for the Financial Conduct Authority,
rather than Hong Kong’s regulator, to
remain LSE’s main watchdog.
The Bank of England, which has
oversight of clearing activities, would
need to approve any deal. Other author-
ities, such as the US Commodity Fu-
tures Trading Commission, one of
LCH’s regulators, will also have a say. “It
is unlikely that US or EU regulators
would allow an Asian player to gain
control of critical infrastructure assets
All change at
the exchange
1698: John Castaing publishes a list
of stock prices from his base at
Jonathan’s Coffee House in the City
of London
1600s 1700s 1800s
1773: 150 City brokers 1812: First
form a formal club to rule book
trade securities
in post-trade such as LCH,” Christoph
Blieffert, an analyst at Commerzbank,
said.
HKEX bought the London Metal
Exchange in 2012 and there was “a lot of
criticism, as I recall, going around the
City, everybody telling us that this is a
potential Chinese takeover,” Mr Li said.
Yet the London Metal Exchange has
remained “a quintessential British
institution”, he argued.
The takeover attempt comes
time, with
at a tumultuous time
Hong Kong riven by pro-
tests over a now-aban-
doned bill that would
have allowed crimi-
nal suspects to be
extradited to
China.
mainland China
James Fok,
HKEX’s head of
strategy, insisted
strategy
yesterday that
“we’ve been thinking
about this for a very
long time, this has noth-
ing to do with the Hong
Kong situation at present”.
At the same time, MPs in Britain are
in deadlock over how the UK should
leave the European Union. Mr Li
portrayed the bid as “a vote of confi-
dence in the UK today” and said that a
deal would help “to secure London’s role
as a global financial centre”.
Andrea Leadsom, the business
secretary, told Bloomberg TV yesterday
that the government would “look very
carefully at anything that had security
implications for the UK”.
FGM
1973: Women 1995: Launches
allowed on Aim, the lightly
trading floor regulated junior
market
1970s 1980s 1990s
1986: Reforms
of Big Bang
Choice of simple growth or
Analysis
T
he offer from Hong Kong
throws into stark relief the
fork in the road facing
London Stock Exchange
Group (Patrick Hosking
and Ben Martin write). Should it be
looking to generate future growth
primarily from widening its product
offering, or from expanding its
geographic footprint in the core
business that created its vast
success — stock exchanges?
In August, when it proposed the
$27 billion acquisition of Refinitiv,
the answer appeared to be the
former. The deal would catapult it
into the big time in the business of
providing data and analytical tools
to the investment community and
would help to diversify it further
away from its main capital markets
business — providing trading
platforms for listed companies in
Britain and Italy. With institutional
investors and investment banks
having an almost insatiable appetite
for “big data”, the deal appealed to
many shareholders.
In theory, spreading its core
exchanges business into new
territory may be perfectly sensible;
in practice, it has proved a
nightmare, as successive attempts
Thursday September 12 2019 | the times
2001: Floats 200
with a £1.25bn Mer
valuation and with
lists on itself Itali
2000 01 02 03 04 05 06
2000:
Proposed
merger with
Deutsche
Börse falls
through for
first time
to merge with Deutsche Börse have
shown. The politics and the
regulation are hugely difficult.
“It’s hard to think about doing big
cross-border exchange-type
transactions,” David Schwimmer,
London Stock Exchange Group’s
chief executive, told a conference in
June. “There have been some big,
painful failures out there.”
Then came yesterday’s bombshell
announcement. Not only did Hong
Kong Exchanges and Clearing want
to try one of the most ambitious
pan-continental exchanges tie-ups
ever seen, it also wanted its target
to ditch its pet Refinifiv project.
The appeal, and synergies, of
combining separate geographies in
the exchanges business was at the
heart of this idea from Charles Li,
HKEX’s chief executive. He argued
that the merger would create “a
fully vertically and horizontally
integrated platform for all asset
classes, serving global investors and
international companies across
time zones and continents”. HKEX’s
takeover of the London Metal
Exchange in 2012 showed that
transactions across seven time
zones could work.
Of course, the choice of
strategies for London Stock
Exchange is not really as binary as
 the times | Thursday September 12 2019
Hong Kong move
2012: Moves
deeper into
clearing,
buying
majority
stake in
LCH.Clearnet
7 08 09 10 11 12 13
2009: 2011: Takes
Appoints full control
Xavier Rolet of FTSE
as chief International,
executive the indices
group
complex risk
this. With the Refinitiv deal, it
continues to pick up new trading
platforms — in foreign exchange
and fixed-income. Moreover, the
pure business of running exchanges
is just not big enough for the likes
of LSE. The capital markets
division, which takes listing fees
from listed companies and trading
fees from brokers, provided the
group with only £407 million of
revenues last year. Information
services generated £841 million and
post-trade services — effectively
clearing and help with compliance
— £589 million. The core business
for which it is best known accounts
for only a quarter of its revenues.
In essence, the Refinitiv deal
should provide relatively
straightforward growth and new
international exposure with much
less of the risk and regulatory and
political uncertainty of the possible
HKEX alliance. One shareholder,
Guy de Blonay, manager of the
Jupiter Financial Opportunities
Fund, said yesterday: “The Refinitiv
deal is popular across the
shareholder base for its potential to
transform the business and add
value over the long term.”
Analysts say that Mr Li will have
a big job persuading investors
otherwise.
FGM
2017: EU blocks proposed
merger with Deutsche
Börse. Engulfed in row over
sacking of Rolet, which
leads to chairman Sir
Donald Brydon agreeing to
stand down early
14 15 16 17 18
2014: Buys 2018: David
Frank Russell Schwimmer
Co, cementing hired from
its position in Goldman
indices and Sachs as chief
data executive
Q&A
Is HKEX offering
enough?
The cash-and-shares
proposal from Hong
Kong Exchanges and
Clearing values each
London Stock Exchange
Group share at £83.61,
based on HKEX’s closing
share price and the
Hong Kong dollar’s
exchange rate against
the pound at Tuesday’s
close. That is a premium
of 22.9 per cent to LSE’s
closing price of £68.04.
That London Stock
Exchange shares didn’t
race to just below that
level yesterday suggests
that investors are
worrying about the
regulatory and political
uncertainties. The
premium seems
reasonable, particularly
given that the potential
offer is 47.4 per cent
higher than the LSE price
before it announced its
deal to buy Refinitiv, the
financial data business —
a transaction that would
be scrapped if the HKEX
combination were to go
ahead.
Ties to Beijing
will worry the
UK authorities
Ben Martin Senior City Correspondent
The ties binding Hong Kong
Exchanges and Clearing and its bosses
to Hong Kong and Beijing will give poli-
ticians and regulators considerable
pause for thought.
The Hong Kong government is the
single biggest shareholder in HKEX,
with a 6 per cent stake. However, the
administration also has significant
sway on the company’s board and
approves the appointment of six of its
thirteen board members, including
Laura Cha, 69, the chairwoman.
Charles Li, 58, HKEX’s Manchester
United-supporting chief executive, was
born in Beijing and early in his career
was a journalist at China Daily, the
state-run newspaper. He went on to
study law in the United States, where he
worked as a lawyer and later went into
investment banking.
Ms Cha, who also studied in America,
was previously a vice-chairwoman of
the China Securities Regulatory
Commission and also worked at the
Hong Kong regulator.
She had to renounce her American
citizenship to join the Chinese watch-
dog. While born in Shanghai, she
moved to Hong Kong when she was
two. She also sits on the boards of
2019 HSBC and Unilever.
HKEX employs 2,100 staff in offices
spanning Hong Kong, London, Beijing,
Shanghai, Shenzhen and Singapore. In
Britain it is already the owner of the
2019: London Metal Exchange, which it
Proposes bought for £1.4 billion seven years ago.
buying It argued yesterday that a key selling
Refinitiv point of a London deal would be the
for $27bn creation of a company that connects
the fast-growing markets of the East
with the developed West.
How does it compare deeper into data and
with recent mergers and analytics. A combination
acquisitions?
The £4 billion offer for
Cobham by Advent
with HKEX would be a
much more conventional
merger, but would give
International, the LSE a direct route into
American private equity China. There are worries
investor, marked a about Refinitiv, including
premium of 34.4 per cent regulatory clearances
to the defence and and the potentially high
aerospace group’s debt that LSE would be
undisturbed price in July, taking on. But there are
and it was all cash. The concerns, too, about
£2.7 billion agreement by HKEX, namely the
CKA Group, part of the prospect of a Chinese
empire controlled by Li company owning
Ka-shing, the billionaire, Britain’s securities and
for Greene King pubs deal-clearing markets,
represented a premium and the political crisis in
of 51 per cent and was Hong Kong.
also in cash. Hasbro, the
toymaker, is paying Should I be happy
31 per cent more than owning Hong Kong-
Entertainment One’s listed shares?
prevailing price to buy If HKEX takes over LSE,
the production company the group will have a
that owns Peppa Pig — primary listing in Hong
and it’s cash as well. Kong and a secondary
None of these is in listing in London.
financial services, Shareholders can elect to
though, so a more hold the secondary share
comparable deal is and receive their
CYBG’s all-share takeover dividend payments in
of Virgin Money last year, sterling, without having
at a 19 per cent premium. to worry about
translating Hong Kong
Is it better than the dollars or additional
Refinitiv deal? taxes. A potential worry
It’s very different. The is that the shares won’t
rationale for buying be in the FTSE 100 but in
Refinitiv was to take LSE the Hang Seng index.
A new China crisis
for Brexit Britain
business commentary Alistair Osborne
J
ust what BoJo needed: the
chance to prove Brexit
Britain really is open for
business. And what better
way than this? Letting a
Hong Kong company waltz off with
the London Stock Exchange in a
£29.6 billion cash-and-shares deal.
All timed, too, to bust up its
$27 billion Refinitiv data buy.
As provocative tilts at British
companies go, it’s hard to beat. Yes,
Charles Li, the boss of Hong Kong
Exchanges and Clearing, tried to
pretend his bid’s not “hostile”. But
no one fell for that: LSE called it “an
unsolicited, preliminary and highly
conditional proposal”.
And how hostile might politicians
find it once they’ve ramped up the
casual conflation of Hong Kong and
China? No sooner was Mr Li’s bid
approach on the screen than it was
being branded a Chinese attempt to
snatch the group running the nuts
and bolts of UK financial markets.
Naturally, Mr Li would bridle at
that, even if he started out 30 years
ago as a journalist on the Beijing
propaganda sheet China Daily: the
only place, he says, he could write
“without being censored”. As he was
at pains to point out, HKEX is “not
a Chinese company but a global
company”. Since 2012 it has owned
the London Metal Exchange, a
business it has kept “quintessentially
British”. He needed “no permission”
from China for his pop at LSE and
“nor do we even have to tell them
about it”.
Moreover, even if the Hong Kong
government is the group’s biggest
shareholder, it’s only got a 6.1 per
cent stake. The rest of the register is
the usual international suspects,
with Blackrock, Vanguard, State
Street and Capital Group making up
the top five. Indeed, 15 of LSE’s top
20 investors also hold HKEX.
Besides, aren’t the protests on the
streets of Hong Kong proof that it’s
not China: a fight to preserve the
autonomy enshrined under the “one
country, two systems” rule, right
down to booing China’s national
anthem? And yet that’s unlikely to
be how things play out — if it comes
to it. The protests are a reaction to
Chinese interference in Hong Kong.
True, Britain could look
hypocritical: China is helping to
build the Hinkley Point C nuclear
plant, it has a stake in Heathrow,
Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison owns
Britain’s biggest container port,
Felixstowe. But that was before
Donald Trump — key to a UK-US
trade deal — started a trade war
with China. Or banned US
companies from using Huawei
telecoms kit. One tweet could be all
it takes to force the UK into
blocking HKEX.
So far, business secretary Andrea
Leadsom has merely told Bloomberg
TV that Britain “would look very
carefully at anything that had
security implications for the UK”.
But, as Berenberg put it, “political
risks are the main obstacle”, what
with a deal seeing “a Chinese
company acquire the primary equity
markets of both the UK and Italy, as
well as key infrastructure for
European debt markets”. And the
Italians are already unhappy. So
politicians elsewhere could scupper
a deal — even in the unlikely event
37
Business
that ours find it just the thing for
pound-pummelled Brexit Britain.
An unfair exchange
S
till, on past form, it won’t come
to that. No company attracts
failed bid approaches like the
London Stock Exchange: Deutsche
Börse, Intercontinental Exchange,
Nasdaq, Macquarie, Sweden’s OM
Gruppen. Quite an eclectic bunch.
And Hong Kong’s suitor couldn’t
have picked a trickier moment. LSE
boss David Schwimmer has just
done his Refinitiv deal: a $27 billion
buy, including its $12.2 billion net
debts. Investors liked it so much that
on the day he unveiled it the shares
shot up 15 per cent. They kept rising
— even before the 6 per cent jump
to £72.06 on HKEX’s tilt, apparently
worth £83.61 a share.
True, it’s ostensibly a higher price.
But three quarters of the mooted
offer is in Hong Kong paper. And
who wants that when armoured
Chinese vehicles are ranged on the
border? Even investors who could
hold that paper would be giving up
control of Refinitiv for a 41 per cent
stake in a group with a main listing
in Hong Kong. And the HKEX bid is
conditional on the LSE abandoning
Refinitiv. It also wants a board
recommendation. Why would Mr
Schwimmer agree either to become
a regional manager answerable to
HKEX boss Charles Li?
So, endless obstacles, even if there
is something to like about the
strategic logic. What’s better: a deal
that brings London closer to the
growth markets of Asia, via a Hong
Kong tie-up allowing the same
company to offer an 18-hour trading
window? Or a vertical data deal,
partly based on Refinitiv’s sub-
Bloomberg Eikon terminals?
Expansion into Asia might look a far
better deal if it was LSE, now valued
at £25 billion, bidding for the
£30 billion HKEX.
The Hong Kong approach has
underlined another thing, too: that
some of the froth in the LSE share
price after Refinitiv was the hope it
might flush out a bid. HKEX was no
favourite. That was New York Stock
Exchange-owner Intercontinental
Exchange or CME Group, the outfit
behind the Chicago Mercantile
Exchange. Either could yet turn up
— without the political baggage.
Count on Ashley
A
nyway, stock exchange bids
are hardly the main concern
of Andrea Leadsom. No, she
may soon have a more pressing task:
auditing the books of Sports Direct,
or at least finding someone to take
over from Grant Thornton, the
auditor that so enjoyed last-minute
€674 million Belgian tax bills that it
quit (report, page 38). None of the
Big Four fancies the reputational
risk of auditing big Mike Ashley: a
man whose re-election was opposed
by 24 per cent of independent AGM
investors. And if no one can be
found to help him with his accounts,
he’d be forced to delist the shares.
Maybe that’s the plan.
alistair.osborne@thetimes.co.uk
38
Business
Fans of Newcastle United, which is owned by the Sports Direct tycoon, protest outside the sportswear retailer’s annual general meeting in London’s Oxford Street
Third of Sports Direct investors
vote against Ashley’s re-election
Ashley Armstrong Retail Editor
Mike Ashley clashed with the City
again yesterday after about a third of
Sports Direct’s independent investors
voted against his re-election at the
company’s annual meeting.
The tycoon still controls just under
63 per cent of the retailer, making it
practically impossible for investors to
oust him. Nevertheless, just over 9 per
cent of Sports Direct shareholders who
voted at the AGM rebelled against his
re-election.
An analysis by Pirc, the investor
advisory service, revealed
that of the 420 million
votes cast in Mr Ashley’s
favour, 330 million of
them were the retail
boss voting for him-
self.
Shares in Sports
Direct have tum-
Women join KPMG board Helpline for Political uncertainty hits
after bullying controversy Brexit opens London’s housing market
Louisa Clarence-Smith
KPMG has appointed two women to its
board as it tries to improve its image
after a row over the handling of bully-
ing complaints.
The Big Four accountancy practice
said that the firm’s partners had elected
Melissa Geiger, head of international
tax and tax policy, and Linda Main,
head of UK capital markets, to join the
British board. The appointments mean
that half the board will be female for the
first time.
Two senior women partners re-
signed this year in protest over the way
bullying allegations against Sanjay
Thakkar, head of deal advisory, were
handled. Maggie Brereton, 49, who was
a board member and head of UK trans-
action services, and Ina Kjaer, 45, who
was head of UK integration in the deal
advisory team, resigned in February.
Ms Kjaer and Ms Brereton have since
bled by more than a quarter in the past
year as investors reeled at the com-
pany’s appetite for buying struggling
retailers, heavy losses at its House of
Fraser department stores chain, a
shock £605 million demand from tax
authorities in Belgium and Grant
Thornton quitting as its auditor.
Mr Ashley founded Sports Direct in
1982 from a sports shop in Maidenhead,
Berkshire. It now has hundreds
of sportswear shops across
Europe and has expanded by
buying other retailers, in-
cluding Game Digital and
Sofa.com.
Sports Direct did not give a
detailed update yesterday on
the tax demand, but did say
that it was continuing to
challenge it.
Grant Thornton,
which has audited Sports
Direct since it floated in
set up Eos Deal Advisory, a rival con-
sulting firm, which they told the Finan-
cial Times would strive to break from
the “macho” working practices in the
industry. Mr Thakkar stepped down
from his role in June. KPMG is con-
ducting a second investigation into his
conduct after a review in 2018 found his
behaviour did not amount to bullying.
Ms Main, 57, has been at KPMG for
more than 30 years. She was a member
of the Financial Conduct Authority’s
listing authority advisory panel for
more than a decade. Ms Geiger, 43, has
held roles within the firm’s financial
services, corporates and national
markets businesses. She returned to
KPMG in 2017 after a four-year stint as
global head of tax at Glaxosmithkline,
the pharmaceuticals group.
Bill Michael, chairman of KPMG
UK, said that the new board members
brought “a huge amount of experience
and sector knowledge”.
2007, said last month that it would
resign and the company is yet to find a
replacement as many of the Big Four
accounting firms have cited conflicts of
interest.
Sports Direct now has only a week to
write to Andrea Leadsom, the business
secretary, to inform her that it has failed
to find a replacement.
A spokesman for the Department for
Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
said that while the secretary of state
had the power intervene, she would not
do so until Sports Direct’s own efforts to
find a replacement auditor had been
exhausted.
Sports Direct said that its tender
process was continuing.
“If you don’t have a Big Four, people
will always say ‘there must be a reason’.
That’s the criticism that gets levelled at
me,” Mr Ashley, 54, told shareholders
gathered at Sports Direct’s offices
above its newly opened Flannels store
Arthi Nachiappan
The financial watchdog has set up a
telephone line to help companies to
prepare for a no-deal Brexit, 50 days
before Britain is due to leave the EU.
The helpline, which went live yester-
day, is open for the 59,000 financial ser-
vices firms regulated by the Financial
Conduct Authority. The regulator is
also running digital advertisements
signposting its Brexit webpages.
Nausicaa Delfas, an executive direc-
tor at the FCA, said: “We expect firms to
ensure they are ready if there is a no-
deal. If firms haven’t finalised their
preparations, there is a risk they could
be impacted.”
The authority said that it would
make changes to its rules and guidance
and would amend binding European
Union technical standards, for which it
would now be responsible. The helpline
number is 0800 048 4255.
FGM
CLIFF HIDE/LNP
on Oxford Street. “For me it’s a tick-box
exercise. It will not change Sports
Direct. Maybe it’s a personal thing.”
Mr Ashley reaffirmed his faith in
Sports Direct’s strategy, which now
rests heavily on Michael Murray, 29, his
future son-in-law, who was given the
task of revamping stores and the up-
market Flannels concept.
Of Flannels, he said: “I think they are
better than any other stores in the
market. Now, I might have rose-tinted
glasses, but one of the reasons is
because I have absolutely nothing to do
with it. I just sign off the money. It has
nothing to do with Mike Ashley.
“Maybe I was late to the party, I
accept that. Maybe my son-in-law
should’ve gone out with my daughter
when she was 12, but now we’re on it,
nothing’s going to get us off it.”
Sports Direct also faced criticism for
not having paid a dividend in the past
decade.
Gurpreet Narwan
Economics Correspondent
Estate agents and surveyors are pessi-
mistic about London’s housing market,
with sales expectations falling to their
lowest level since last November.
Buyer inquiries and instructions to
sell fell in August as political uncer-
tainty hit the market, according to a
survey by the Royal Institution of Char-
tered Surveyors.
The number of respondents who said
that they expected sales to grow in the
next three months slid from a balance
of -15 per cent in July to -41 per cent, the
weakest return since November 2018.
Sales expectations fell in almost all
parts of the UK, the institution said.
The survey paints a gloomy outlook
for the housing market after it showed
some signs of recovery in the spring.
Economists said that the avoidance of a
no-deal Brexit in March had helped to
Thursday September 12 2019 | the times
Peloton sets
$8bn target
for ride to
market debut
Tom Knowles
West Coast Technology Reporter
Peloton is eyeing a valuation of $8.1 bil-
lion for its stock market debut, despite
weakening demand among investors
for companies making losses going
public.
The home exercise company hopes
to raise as much as $1.2 billion in an
initial public offering on Nasdaq,
pricing 40 million shares between $26
and $29 each. Its annual losses more
than quadrupled last year from
$47.9 million to $196 million.
Peloton was founded in 2012 in New
York by John Foley, who previously ran
the ecommerce business of Barnes and
Noble, the bookshop chain. Its main
product is a £2,000 stationary bicycle
that comes with a 22in digital screen.
Subscribers can stream live interactive
classes from instructors that Peloton
provides from its cycling studios in
London and Manhattan. Sir Richard
Branson and the Obamas are reported
to be fans.
The company has showrooms in the
United States, Canada and Britain and
613,000 global subscribers. It says that
it has 1.4 million members overall as
some households share a subscription.
Peloton has been gaining sub-
scribers, helping revenue to increase to
$915 million in its last financial year,
from $435 million a year earlier. Most of
the company’s losses have come from
its ballooning marketing and sales
costs, which were $324 million last year,
more than double the previous year.
Peloton was valued at $4.15 billion in
a $550 million funding round led by
TCV, the venture capital firm, in August
last year. Its biggest shareholder is Tiger
Global Management, with 20 per cent.
It has been a bad year so far for loss-
making companies that have gone
public after amassing significant pri-
vate valuations. The stock market
debuts of Uber and Lyft, the ride-hail-
ing companies, were disappointing.
The planned valuation for Wework’s
IPO has fallen from $65 billion to
$15 billion in just a few months.
However, analysts at Jefferies, the
broker, named Peloton as one of their
growth picks of the week on Friday.
lift demand, but the survey suggests
that buyers are hesitant again.
A balance of -25 per cent of surveyors
said that demand had risen in August,
while 31 per cent of agents reported a
fall in new instructions to sell. Newly
agreed sales in London fell deeper into
negative territory, with a net balance of
-11 per cent of surveyors reporting an
increase, compared with -5 per cent the
month before. Just over a third of
agents reported a fall in house prices
last month, with 23 per cent saying that
they expected prices to fall further in
the next year.
“Uncertainty is a theme that respon-
dents continue to highlight as a nega-
tive influence on sentiment,” Simon
Rubinsohn, the institution’s chief econ-
omist, said. “That said, the key RICS
activity indicators have remained rela-
tively resilient until now, pointing to
only a modest dip in sales transactions
rather than anything more severe.”
the times | Thursday September 12 2019
Simon Nixon
Mario Draghi set to perform one
last trick before leaving the stage
‘‘
A lot of people have
lost a lot of money
over the past decade
betting on the
collapse of the
eurozone. And the person who they
have most to blame is Mario Draghi,
who today will preside over his
penultimate meeting of the European
Central Bank’s governing council
after eight years at its head.
He took up his post at a time when
one member state after another was
succumbing to the doom-loop
between governments and banks.
That they did not is in no small part
due to his willingness to proclaim
himself ready at the height of the
crisis to do whatever it takes and
subsequently to prove as good as his
word by providing abundant liquidity
to keep the eurozone financial system
afloat. It was his shrewd judgment,
deft political instincts and willingness
to go to the outer limit of his mandate
when politicians appeared incapable
of acting that stopped the eurozone
falling apart.
Today he is expected once again to
come to the aid of the eurozone with
another “big bazooka”, this time to
address the latest worrying slowdown
in eurozone growth that has arisen
primarily as a result of global trade
tensions. Eurozone growth halved to
just 0.2 per cent in the second quarter,
while industrial production has
slumped, particularly in Germany,
which is now at risk of a technical
recession. Eurozone inflation has
fallen to only 1 per cent, well below its
target of close to, but below, 2 per
cent. Mr Draghi signalled in the
summer that if the slowdown
persisted, the ECB would act and the
market is expecting a number of
measures tomorrow, including further
cuts of key lending rates deeper into
negative territory and a possible
restart of the bond-buying
programme that it stopped in
December.
Yet the context in which today’s
decision is being taken could hardly
be more different and that, quite
rightly, has prompted a lively debate
about whether such a robust ECB
response is really needed.
Unlike on past occasions when
eurozone growth and inflation
have dipped, the discussion is
not taking place against a
Ursula von der Leyen: a
more flexible approach
International money transfer from
The Times and The Sunday Times
FGM
backdrop of concerns about eurozone
financial stability. In fact, the
eurozone is looking more stable than
at any time since the Greek debt crisis
first emerged in 2009. Eurozone
banks are adequately capitalised,
government deficits are low and debt
burdens are falling, easing concerns
about long-term debt sustainability.
And while growth may be weak,
unemployment is falling across most
of the eurozone and wages are rising.
There is no sense in which the ECB is
being asked to confront an economic
emergency.
At the same time, there is a growing
concern among policymakers that a
further aggressive easing of monetary
policy when interest rates are already
rock-bottom might not achieve much
and could prove counter-productive.
Cutting interest rates further could
weaken the banks by eating into their
profits without actually boosting
demand. The fear is that lower rates
inside today
Draghi weighs the arsenal
at his disposal
Philip Aldrick, page 41
will reduce the spending power of
those reliant on income from savings
without triggering any increase in
business investment, given that
borrowing costs have already been
low for so many years. As a result, a
number of ECB governing council
members have publicly questioned
whether an ECB bazooka is really the
appropriate response to the present
slowdown.
Besides, there is another reason
why the pressure on the ECB to act
has eased. Crucially, the political
context in the eurozone has changed,
almost beyond recognition in recent
weeks. Politically, the eurozone now
looks more stable than it has done at
any time since the start of the global
financial crisis. Greece and Italy, the
two countries that in recent years
have been at the centre of market
financial stability fears, now have
mainstream, pro-EU governments
committed to complying with EU
rules. Greece’s new centre-right
government has already announced
a package of sensible reforms that
should boost growth, while the new
Italian coalition has sent Paolo
Gentiloni, the pro-EU former
prime minister, to Brussels as
its new European commissioner.
This shift in the political landscape
is important because it creates the
conditions in which broader reforms
to further stabilise and strengthen the
eurozone are possible. Until now, the
single biggest obstacle to stabilising
the eurozone has been the lack of
trust between member states: moves
to share risks were impossible while
there were doubts that some
countries were willing to fulfil their
obligations to reduce the risks arising
from their own economies, whether
by cutting their budget deficits,
restructuring their banking systems
or delivering reforms that would
boost productivity and long-term
growth. That left the ECB as the only
EU institution that was capable of
acting decisively during the crisis
years in response to economic and
financial pressures. Indeed, those
pressures were often a direct result of
market concerns and the inability of
eurozone politicians to act.
Yet this is clearly no longer the
case. Alongside the shift in the
political landscape is a growing
recognition among politicians that
they must play a greater role in
combating the slowdown through
fiscal policy and reforms. The
decision by incoming European
Commission president Ursula von der
Leyen to hand the economics
portfolio to Mr Gentiloni suggests
that Brussels may be preparing to
take a more flexible approach to the
eurozone’s fiscal rules. At the same
time, there is now a lively debate in
Germany about how fiscal policy
could be used to combat a downturn,
and even signals that Berlin might
ease its opposition to an EU-wide
deposit insurance scheme, which
would address what economists argue
is one of the key structural
weaknesses in the eurozone.
All this lays the context for Mr
Draghi to spring one last surprise. For
the past eight years, he has implored
EU politicians to play their part in
shoring up confidence in the euro and
boosting eurozone growth. Rather
than unleashing a new bazooka, he
’’
should remind the politicians once
again of their
responsibility.
He did whatever
it took. Now it is
their turn.
Simon Nixon is chief leader writer of
The Times
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Comment Business
Simon Duke
Brussels couldn’t be
more serious about
taking on US Big Tech
O
n Monday, the attorneys-
general of 50 American
states did an
extraordinary thing:
they attacked one of the
nation’s most successful companies.
Ken Paxton, Texas’s top law officer,
said he had seen evidence that
Google violated competition rules.
Thanks to its huge trove of personal
information, it “undermined
consumer choice, stifled innovation
[and] violated users’ privacy”.
Their investigation marks a sea
change in America’s oversight of its
technology industry. In 2013, the
Federal Trade Commission
investigated Google for potential
breaches of antitrust law, but took
no action. However, times have
changed. Public anger over privacy
violations, tax dodging and
disinformation has turned the
Vestager’s greatest hits
2016 Apple
€13bn
tax bill
2017 Google
€2.4bn
online shopping fine
2018 Google
€4.3bn
Android penalty
2019 Google
online adverts fine €1.5bn
industry from a prodigal child into a
pariah. In July, Facebook was fined
$5 billion by the commission over
the Cambridge Analtyica scandal
and there are inquiries into Big Tech
at state and federal level. A day of
reckoning seems to be approaching,
even if US politicians are unsure
how to tame their buccaneering
companies.
The crackdown in the United
States is no isolated event.
Washington is taking its lead from
the European Commission, which
has become the most potent
regulator of the technology industry,
setting standards that others are
adopting. Margrethe Vestager,
appointed to another five-year term
as the competition commissioner
yesterday, has been Big Tech’s
tormentor-in-chief. Since 2017, she
has fined Google more than
€8 billion for abusing its dominance
in online search, mobile phone
software and online advertising.
Before that, she ordered Apple to
pay Ireland €13 billion in back taxes.
Apple and Google are appealing.
No wonder Ms Vestager has
timescurrencyservices.com
39
earned the displeasure of President
Trump. In June he tweeted that she
“hates the United States perhaps
more than anyone I’ve ever met”.
Expect more fireworks during her
term as Europe’’s antitrust enforcer.
Ms Vestager has been made de facto
“tech csar”, with powers to write the
rules for the European Union’s
digital economy, as well as to
implement them.
Her elevation is a tacit
acknowledgement that the present
regulatory has failed. For all the
acclaim she has won for her
attempts to rein in Silicon Valley,
Google, Facebook, Amazon and
Apple retain their strangleholds over
large portions of the internet
economy. Alphabet, Google’s parent,
has added a new reporting line to
financial results called European
Commission Fines. It suggests that
to the $840 billion goliath financial
penalties are a mere business
expense, an unavoidable cost of
doing business in Europe.
In the past Facebook, YouTube
and other “free” platforms have
been elusive prey for competition
watchdogs. How, for example, do
you prove that consumers have been
harmed when they are not paying
for a service? But there are signs
that Europe is moving towards a
fundamentally different approach to
policing Big Tech. Local watchdogs
are beginning to take the EU’s data
privacy laws into account in
competition cases. In a landmark
decision in February, Germany’s
cartel office ruled that Facebook
had abused its dominant position in
social networking to improperly
gather data on its users without
their consent. Of particular concern
was its practice of melding data
from third-party apps with
information gleaned from Facebook,
Whatsapp and Instagram and the
tracking of non-users through
through “like” or “share” buttons.
Facebook was ordered to desist, but
has won a temporary reprieve while
it appeals against the decision.
The monopolists of today derive
their power from the industrial scale
harvesting of personal information.
This digital surveillance will be top
of Ms Vestager’s list of targets as she
designs new rules for Europe’s
digital economy.
Simon Duke is Technology Business
Editor of The Times
40
Business
Zara’s summer dress hits the sweet spot
Ashley Armstrong Retail Editor
A polka-dot frock by Zara that
became the dress of the summer has
helped to propel sales at its giant
Spanish owner ahead of struggling
high street rivals.
Inditex, the world’s largest retailer,
announced a 7 per cent rise in half-
year sales to €12.8 billion yesterday,
while like-for-like sales were 5 per
cent higher.
It also said that Zara, its biggest and
best-known brand, would be selling
homewares on its main clothing
website in Britain and that it would be
pushing its online presence into
markets including Brazil, Saudi
Arabia, the United Arab Emirates
and Morocco. It boasts 64 Zara
clothing shops and 12 Zara Home
stores in the UK at present.
Inditex was founded by Amancio
Ortega with his then-wife Rosalia in
1975. The company, which is based in
Galicia, northwest Spain, has 7,420
shops worldwide under fascias
including Pull & Bear, Massimo
Dutti, Bershka, Oysho and Uterqüe.
Mr Ortega, 82, who owns 59 per
cent of Inditex, is believed to be
the sixth richest person in the world
Zara’s success in responding quickly to customer demands has been boosted by the popularity of its polka-dot dress, inset
New Look, same old story
New Look has defended its vast
shop estate, despite announcing
another heavy fall in sales a year on
from a restructuring process that
shut 85 stores (Ashley Armstrong
writes).
The fashion retailer, which still
has about 500 high street shops,
blamed “highly unseasonable
weather” for a 10.1 per cent slide in
like-for-like sales in the 13 weeks to
June 29. Total revenue fell by 14 per
cent to £300.6 million amid heavy
discounting.
Alistair McGeorge, executive
what’s the time, mr woolf?
time i wasn’t here
It’s tempting to ask why Paul
Woolf has resigned from Mitie
Group after less than two years as
finance chief. Just a wild guess,
but might it have something to do
with swapping a struggling
outsourcer for a global, private
equity-backed company with the
prospect of big rewards? Mr
Woolf is leaving in January to
become chief financial officer of
CPA Global, an intellectual
property management and
technology company acquired
two years ago for £2.4 billion by
Leonard Green & Partners. Word
is that Mr Woolf, a former chief
executive of Virgin Active, the
health club chain, sees a path to
becoming a chief executive again
one day, though whether at CPA
or another Leonard Green
investment remains unclear.
Funnily enough, the firm also
owns Pure Gym.
hero of the hour
Nicola Mendelsohn, Facebook’s
vice-president for Europe, tops
this year’s HERoes 100 Women
Executives list, produced by the
FGM
ZARA
chairman, said: “Trading was
marked by continued consumer
uncertainty and, being a seasonal
business, we were clearly not
immune from what has been the
most unseasonable May and June
on record, impacting footfall across
the retail sector.”
Despite the lower sales, New
Look reduced its losses from
£12.8 million in 2018 to £2.7 million
in the wake of its restructuring,
which was completed in May and
handed control of the company to
its bondholders.
CITY PEOPLE
The feuds, the faces and the farcical
Dominic Walsh @walshdominic
Business big shot
name allan
leighton
age 66
position
chairman,
c&a
T
he man who invented the
phrase “going plural” to
refer to taking on a string
of non-executive directorships
has become chairman at C&A,
the Dutch retailer that pulled out
of the UK nearly 20 years ago
(Ashley Armstrong writes).
Allan Leighton, who chairs
The Co-operative Group,
turned around Asda in the
1990s with Archie Norman.
He is chairman of Allbright,
the members’ club; Simba
mattresses; and Element, a
testing business. He was
also chairman of
Entertainment One, the
Peppa Pig maker, until
its sale to Hasbro; and
Wagamama, the noodle
chain, before its deal with
The Restaurant Group.
Thursday September 12 2019 | the times
with an estimated net worth of
$67.9 billion.
Zara has outpaced its high street
rivals largely because of its “test and
repeat model”. Feedback from shop
customers and sales are directed
straight into Inditex’s design team in
Spain, who then quickly produce a
popular dress or jacket in more
colours or tweak it slightly to respond
to customer demands. Its £39.99
monochrome polka dot dress has
proved so popular that an instagram
account called Hot 4 the Spot is dedi-
cated to sharing images of hundreds
of different women wearing the dress.
The company said that store and
online sales over the past month had
risen by 8 per cent and that it expec-
ted like-for-like sales growth of 4 per
cent to 6 per cent in 2019.
However, analysts said that despite
the sales boost the retailer’s earnings
had missed forecasts. Inditex made
€1.7 billion before interest, tax and
€1.7bn
Inditex’s latest first-half earnings
before tax and other charges
other charges, compared with pre-
dictions of €1.8 billion. First-half mar-
gins also fell short of expectations.
Analysts at Berenberg said that the
deterioration in gross margins
showed that Inditex was “not im-
mune from the higher levels of dis-
counting in the sector”.
However, Richard Chamberlain, at
RBC Europe, said that given Inditex’s
size “we expect there to be something
of a trade-off between sales and
margin. Fleas jump, elephants don’t.”
The profit margin figures sent the
shares down by €1.12, or 3.9 per cent,
to €27.49, valuing the company at
about €86.9 billion. Inditex shares
have risen by more than a quarter
this year.
Involve network to “celebrate
business leaders who are
empowering women in the
workplace”. The recognition for
Lady Mendelsohn, below, whose
husband, Jon, is a Labour peer,
comes after a tough 2018 in which
she was diagnosed with cancer,
although she is now in remission.
Involve said that a survey of its
female business leaders showed
that 41 per cent of women think it
will take at least 20 years to fully
close the gender pay gap,
“highlighting how important it is
to hero those who are working
tirelessly to create gender parity”.
An important message (though
I’m not sure “hero” is a verb).
what’s cooking?
An email from the recipe box
outfit Gousto suggests the
market for this service will
exceed £1.5 billion by 2022. I
must admit, I find the
whole concept rather
depressing. Can people
really not find the time
to look up a recipe and
buy the ingredients
themselves at a fraction
of the cost?
the times | Thursday September 12 2019 FGM 41

Business
Hit for six: the eurozone economy’s problems
1 Eurozone GDP growth 4 ECB deposit rate 6 Ten-year government bond yields (as at Aug 23)
The eurozone recovery took hold in 2017 after the ECB launched The ECB took interest rates below zero in 2014 in a desperate Most of the countries with negative
quantitive easing and on the back of solid global growth but has attempt to boost growth and inflation yielding government debt are European,
fallen back sharply since raising questions about the impact more
1.0% 6% monetary loosening will have
0.8 4 Switerland
0.6 Germany
2 Denmark
0.4 Netherlands
0 Austria
0.2
Finland
0 -2 France
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2000 2005 2010 2015 2019 Sweden
Slovakia
2 German industrial production 5 ECB’s €2.6 trillion quantitative easing programme, Belgium
The biggest drag on eurozone growth since 2018 has been the net asset purchases per month Japan
slowing German economy. America's trade wars have hit The programme, which was launched in the face of fierce Ireland
German manufacturing disproportionately German resistance, appeared to be working until 2018 when it Spain
0.5 was first slowed and then stopped Portugal
UK
€100bn Australia
-0.3 -0.4
-0.8 80 Norway
-1.5 60 New Zealand
-2.1 40 Canada
-2.8 -2.8
Italy
20
-4.1 US
-4.4 -4.7 -4.2 0 Greece
Q3, 2018 Q4 Q1, 2019 Q2 Q3 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
-1.0 0 1.0 2.0%

3 Eurozone inflation
Eurozone inflation has almost exclusively been below the
near-2 per cent target despite negative interest rates and
€2.6 trillion of quantitative easing
3%

-1
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 The ECB headquarters in Frankfurt
Source: ECB, Haver Analytics, Nomura, Bloomberg, Trading Ecomomics

Draghi weighs arsenal at his disposal

Philip Aldrick Economics Editor
After a strong 2017, growth in the
eurozone has fallen back and inflation
has fallen below target. In his penulti-
mate policy meeting today before
stepping down as president of the
European Central Bank, Mario Draghi
is expected to reprise his role as
currency bloc saviour with a big
stimulus programme.
At 1 per cent, inflation is half its target
rate and growth is faltering. To have an
impact, Mr Draghi will have to go big,
George Buckley, economist at Nomura,
says, suggesting that to boost inflation
by 0.4 percentage points, a full one per-
centage point cut in interest rates is
needed. With rates already at -0.4 per
cent, that’s not possible.
Instead, an array of measures is
expected, all designed to pump cheap
money into the economy, deter saving,
spur investment and boost spending. A
side-effect, deliberate or not, might be a
fall in the value of the euro.
That could draw the ire of President
Trump, who has already criticised the
ECB for giving Germany an unfair
currency advantage. The White House
could even respond with tariffs on
eurozone cars, which would hit GDP in
the bloc and undo some of the potential
stimulus. Mr Draghi, whose term ends
in October, will have a tricky course to
steer. In order of likelihood, this is what
he might do:
cut rates
The ECB cut its main interest rate,
charged on bank deposits, to -0.4 per
cent in 2016. Since then, received
wisdom has been that cutting rates any
further would damage growth.
Negative rates are a risk to banks’
profitability as they cannot pass on
those rates to savers or they will with-
draw their money. As a result, negative
rates risk having the perverse effect of
making borrowing more expensive as
banks try to protect their profits.
However, the ECB recently revisited
its estimate of the “reversal rate”, the
point at which this effect strikes, and
decided that it was lower than had been
thought. The ECB is expected to cut the
deposit rate by 0.1 per cent to -0.5 per
cent today, the goal being to push more
cheap credit into the economy and
stimulate spending.
forward guidance
The ECB has been using language to
influence market prices. In June, it said
that rates would be on hold “at least
through to the first half of 2020”. It may
revise that, saying that the deposit rate
is likely to be cut again by another
0.1 per cent to -0.6 per cent and remov-
ing the date-stamp, changing the rate
guidance to “an extended period of
time”, as it was using in April 2018. That
would tell the markets that policy will
be loose for far longer than expected.
quantitative easing
QE was launched properly in March
2015, after some tentative covered bond
purchases in late 2014, with monthly
government bond purchases totalling
€60 billion. That was stepped up to
€80 billion in 2016 and was stopped at
the end of last year after the total had
reached €2.6 trillion. The intention at
the time was to raise rates and event-
ually to sell-off the assets. Nomura now
believes that the ECB will restart the
programme with €30 billion of pur-
chases a month, expanding the pro-
gramme to €3 trillion by the end of
2020.
tiering
To insulate banks from the effect of
negative interest rates over a prolonged
period, the ECB has been looking at
“tiering”. This would cut the amount
that banks pay on the liquidity, or cash,
that they hold at the central bank. Tier-
ing would set parameters around what
portion of bank deposits are charge-
able, exempting some of the total. The
Mario Draghi is set
to step down at
the European
Central bank
commercial banks would be expected
to pass on the negative rate charge to
corporate depositors, encouraging
them to invest their money rather than
sit on it. Tiering would send a clear mes-
sage that negative rates are here to stay.
tltros
The first “targeted long-term repo op-
eration” was launched in 2014, pushing
€425 billion of cheap funds into the
banks. A second TLTRO began two
years later, with €740 billion provided
to the banks. The central bank has
already announced a third round, be-
ginning this month. All three were
designed to give commercial banks
super-cheap funding so that they ex-
tend credit to borrowers at equally
super-cheap rates. Under the latest
scheme, banks will be paid 0.3 per cent
to take funds, so long as they increase
their lending. The terms could be im-
proved today, with an even more gener-
ous funding rate or by extending the
funding term from two years to four.
change inflation target
At the moment, the ECB’s mandate is to
keep inflation close to but below 2 per
cent. Mr Draghi has suggested that the
target should be “symmetrical”, hinting
that the ECB should be more tolerant of
overshoots. He could go as far as chang-
ing the target to a symmetrical 2 per
cent, ending the undershoot bias, or
switch to average inflation targeting, a
clear sign that inflation over 2 per cent
would be tolerated and that monetary
policy will be very loose for a very long
time. That’s unlikely, though.

China eases tariffs on selected US imports before trade talks

Gurpreet Narwan
Economics Correspondent
The Chinese government plans to
exempt 16 types of American goods
from additional import tariffs before a
new round of trade talks between
Beijing and Washington. Pharmaceuti-
cals and lubricant oil are among the
items to be excluded from the addition-
al 25 per cent levy, China’s finance min-
istry said. The exemptions will be effec-
tive for a year from next Tuesday.
Alfalfa, fish meal, pesticides and
several chemicals that China does not
produce are also exempted, but not the
leading US exports of pork and soya
beans, which can be obtained easily
from Argentina, Brazil and Russia.
The exemptions apply to a round of
tariffs that China levied on US goods in
July last year. The Chinese government
hit $34 billion of US products, including
cars, with a 25 per cent tariff after the
White House imposed levies on a
similar amount of Chinese imports.
Talks are expected to resume in
Washington next month after four
months in which little progress was 2018, in which economic growth fell to
6 Oil prices fell sharply yesterday
made. Negotiations broke down in May 6.6 per cent, down from 6.7 per cent in
after reports that President Trump
when Mr Trump accused China of the previous year and a 28-year low.
had discussed easing American
reneging on commitments to protect On Friday China’s central bank said
sanctions on Iran. Brent crude, the
US intellectual property. that it would slash the amount of cash
global benchmark, was down almost
Although Beijing’s decision to relax banks must hold as reserves, releasing a
3 per cent at $60.69 in London last
tariffs could be viewed as an olive total of 900 billion yuan (£100 billion)
night amid suggestions that such a
branch, analysts noted that it was more in liquidity to shore up the economy.
move could bring significant
likely to have been born of economic “The exemption could be seen as a
supplies back to the market.
necessity. The trade war has been gesture of sincerity towards the US
Bloomberg reported that Mr Trump
weighing heavily on China’s economy, ahead of negotiations in October, but is
had discussed easing sanctions on
which grew at its slowest pace in nearly probably more a means of supporting
Iran to help to secure a meeting
30 years in the second quarter of the the economy,” Iris Pang, economist for
with President Rouhani.
year. It follows a relatively subdued Greater China at ING, said.
42
Register
Obituaries
Adelaine Hain
Anti-apartheid campaigner who saluted Nelson Mandela in court during the Treason Trial and smuggled messages into prisons
Adelaine Hain had fallen at her daugh-
ter’s home in south Wales and fractured
her femur. The 73-year-old was in
Morriston Hospital, Swansea, in Sep-
tember 2000 feeling sorry for herself
when her thoughts were interrupted by
a telephone call. “Hello, Mandela from
South Africa here,” said the cheerful
voice. “Do you remember me?”
Hain certainly did remember Nelson
Mandela, who the previous year had
retired after serving as the country’s
president since 1994. They had met in
1958 during the “Treason Trial” when
Hain was secretary of the Pretoria
branch of the the Liberal Party of South
Africa, which was the only political
movement outside black nationalism
committed to extending the political
franchise beyond the white minority.
She would take lunch for Mandela and
his fellow defendants.
At other times she would charge
about Pretoria in an old Volkswagen
minibus campaigning for civil rights.
She would patrol the city’s courts track-
ing down black teenage defendants
who had disappeared into the justice
system and alert their anxious parents.
Dikgang Moseneke, who was 15,
recalled her being the first white person
to provide him with support. She
brought him a bar of chocolate every
day until he was sentenced to ten years
on Robben Island; later he became
deputy chief justice of the constitu-
tional court, which was the country’s
supreme court.
Hain and her husband, Walter, had
not set out to be campaigners, but after
the Sharpeville massacre in 1960, when
69 protesters were shot dead, there was
no backing down. “Once we had got
involved, one thing led to another,” she
said. “There was always some injustice
to be tackled, so we got stuck in. People
asked you to do things, and so you did.”
In 1961 the couple were detained.
According to their son Peter, who is a
Labour peer: “They were preparing a
leaflet [supporting Mandela’s defiance
campaign] to distribute in the town-
ships around Pretoria. They had taken
it to check with activists when they
were arrested. So my mother chewed
up the leaflet and spat it out.”
Without any other evidence against
the couple, the authorities released
them within 14 days.
The next year she was asked by Con-
tact, an anti-apartheid newspaper, to
report on the trial of Mandela in which
he was accused of incitement and of
leaving the country illegally. Each day
he entered the dock he turned to her
and raised his large, clenched fist in
salute; she would stand and return the
salute with her small, white fist.
In 1963 she was served with a
banning order that prohibited her from
writing for publication, visiting courts
and black townships, or meeting more
than one person at a time. Her name
could not be mentioned in the press.
The order also meant that she was un-
able to attend the tenth birthday party
of her daughter Jo-ann because it was
a gathering of more than two people
“meeting for a common purpose”. Jo-
ann’s grandmother lit the candles and
led the party games. When Walter was
also given a banning order the couple
were effectively banned from commu-
nicating with each other, although they
Walter and Adelaine Hain in Pretoria in 1963. Right: Adelaine with her son Peter (now Lord Hain) in 1986
outside the South African embassy in London, supporting Mandela and the anti-apartheid cause
were granted a waiver on this point.
Although Hain refused to engage in
violence, others did. When John Harris,
another white activist, was arrested for
planting a bomb in Johannesburg that
killed an elderly woman despite his
telephoned warnings, Hain took in his
wife and baby son. When Harris was
hanged, Hain and her husband
organised his funeral, but were banned
from attending.
She helped Jimmy Makojaene, a
political prisoner, to escape over the
border and smuggled messages to pris-
oners behind bars. Once she put pencil
lead inside a sausage so that a prisoner
‘There was always some
injustice to be tackled,
so we got stuck in’
was able to write to her. Her son
recalled her taking “the pith out of an
orange, gluing it back after inserting a
message inside, or after cooking a
whole onion, sliding a note between the
leaves to be covered as it cooled”.
Eventually Walter lost his job as an
architect and the family moved into
exile, settling in southwest London, but
continuing the fight against apartheid.
She was born Adelaine Florence
Stocks — always known as Ad — in
Port Alfred, South Africa, in 1927, the
sixth of seven children. The family of
her father, Gerald Stocks, had emi-
grated from southwest England and
established a drapery store in nearby
Grahamstown, while her mother, Edith
(née Duffy), was of Irish extraction.
Ad was close to her younger sister, Jo,
and they would swim and play together
at the home that their father had built
by the Kowie River. She was educated
at Queen Alexandra school, Port
Alfred, and boarded at Victoria Girls’
High School, Grahamstown, where she
was introduced to rebellious ideas
during discreet conversations with left-
wing teachers; one of them played her
the music and films of Paul Robeson,
the African-American singer and actor
also known for his political activism
and involvement in the civil rights
movement.
Leaving school at the age of 17, Hain
undertook secretarial work on the
Kowie Announcer, a weekly news-sheet
edited by her father. She also wrote
popular news snippets about events in
the seaside town as seen through the
eyes of two fictional boys. Later she
worked at a building society in Pretoria.
While horse riding she met Walter
Hain, a former soldier and trainee
architect of Glaswegian descent, and
they were married in 1948. When
Walter got his first job in Nairobi,
Kenya, they flew there in a Dakota air-
craft even though she was heavily preg-
nant. A year later they made the hair-
raising, 3,000-mile drive back to Preto-
ria in a 1930s Lancia Aprilia with their
young son perched on top of their
FGM
belongings. En route
they experienced
punctures, blow-
outs and broken
suspension springs,
but the epic journey gave them a valu-
able insight into the treatment of black
people elsewhere on the continent.
Walter died three years ago (obitu-
ary, October 21, 2016) and she is sur-
vived by their four children: Peter, who
became Labour MP for Neath in 1991,
served as a cabinet minister under Tony
Blair and Gordon Brown and was
ennobled in 2015; Tom, an IT engineer
who lives in Australia; Jo-anne, who
raised a family and lives in Dorset; and
Sally, an official for the post office
workers’ union. She also had 11 grand-
children, 21 great-grandchildren and
two great-great-grandchildren.
Her husband’s work took them
around South Africa, and in 1956 they
came to Britain for two years, living in
Ealing, west London, and Ruckinge,
Kent. After returning home they joined
the Liberal Party of South Africa, which
had been formed in 1953. As more and
more black people were sacked from
their jobs, forced from their homes and
compelled to carry “dompas” identity
documents, Hain wrote letters to news-
papers and gave informal legal advice,
making her a target for the police.
Official harassment became a way of
life. Peter was nine when he and his
brother, Tom, were woken at 4 o’clock
one morning by the South African Spe-
Thursday September 12 2019 | the times
cial Branch riffling through their toys.
“They were always around our house,
either raiding it, or parked outside, or
tailing us going to school,” he said.
In Britain the family gradually
rebuilt their lives; Walter specialised in
designing hospital laboratories, while
Ad became involved in local politics,
joining demonstrations and plotting
and organising to overthrow apartheid.
The family were prominently involved
in campaigns to disrupt tours by the
South Africa cricket and rugby union
teams. In 1972 a letter bomb, believed to
have been the work of the South Afri-
can security forces, was sent to their
home; it was opened by Sally, but failed
to explode.
They lived in a bright, airy flat full of
sunny daubs by their grandchildren
and great-grandchildren. One visitor
described “a pair of binoculars in the
kitchen for birdwatching and anti-
squirrel surveillance, and a pile of
books on a coffee table in the sitting
room — including a homage to Chelsea
Football Club, their sole accommoda-
tion with plutocracy”. As a fanatical fan
she would send texts updating friends
about the team’s
progress well into
her nineties.
In 1994 Hain
and her husband
returned to South
Africa for the first
time, and 20 years
later Peter pub-
lished Ad and Wal:
Values, Duty, Sacri-
fice in Apartheid
South Africa
Africa. She
adapted well to the
role of matriarch,
keeping in contact
with her large fam-
ily through birthday
cards, postcards and
latterly emails and
texts. She was
taught to use a com-
puter by her grand-
son Sam, and at age 64, when Peter was
elected an MP, she began working part-
time in his office at the Commons. She
would also type her husband’s many
letters to newspapers, as she had in
South Africa on her portable Olivetti
typewriter. In declining health, the
couple moved to Neath in 2009 to be
closer to their family.
She was delighted by the call in 2000
from Mandela, who was in the UK to
address the Labour Party conference. “I
was very surprised,” she said after-
wards. “I was feeling pretty down after
the accident, but the call from Mandela
really perked me up.”
Although her life in South Africa was
a world away, the memories remained
vivid. “Sometimes it’s really immedi-
ate,” she said on her 80th birthday. “We
didn’t think change would come in our
time, or that we’d ever be able to go
back.” In 1990 she had watched Man-
dela take his long walk to freedom. “We
were watching when he came out,”
she said. “We couldn’t believe it was
happening.”
Adelaine Hain, anti-apartheid
campaigner, was born on February 16,
1927. She died on September 8, 2019,
aged 92
the times | Thursday September 12 2019
Edward Lewis
Film producer who made the blockbuster Spartacus in 1960 and helped to end the ban on writers blacklisted by Congress
When the producer Edward Lewis
hired Dalton Trumbo to write the
screenplay for the blockbuster Sparta-
cus in 1960, the plan was that it would
be Lewis’s name on the film’s credits; the
producer would act as a front for the
writer because he had been blacklisted
for refusing to testify before the House
Un-American Affairs Committee in the
late 1940s and had not had a screen
credit in a decade.
The script pages submitted to the
film’s backers, Universal, bore Lewis’s
name, but the producer found it
difficult to live with taking credit for
someone else’s work. Kirk Douglas,
whose company Bryna was producing
the spectacular spear-and-sandals epic
in which he would famously play the
title character, later wrote: “Every time
Eddie Lewis told someone he was
writing Spartacus it embarrassed him.”
Lewis waited until it was too late for
Universal to pull the plug on the project
and told the studio: “Take my name off
the script.” He went on to negotiate a
salary of more than $50,000 (about
£350,000 today) for Trumbo, along
with 4 per cent of net producer profits.
It was a dramatic reversal of fortune
for the writer, one of the original
“Hollywood Ten” who had served a
brief prison sentence after being held in
contempt of Congress, and had been
working for a fraction of what he was
worth. He had won two Oscars, under
other people’s names, for Roman Holi-
day (1953) and The Brave One (1956).
In a letter to Lewis he wrote: “We’ll
make this thing go, Eddie. And we’ll
enjoy it too. I am most grateful to you.
By way of recompense I want the
quality of my work to make you grateful
Norman Dewis
Low-born, long-serving chief test driver for Jaguar who in 1953 risked his life when he broke the ‘flying mile’ speed record
In 1953 Jaguar, the British luxury sports
car manufacturer, was looking to take
back the “flying mile” speed record for
production cars that had just been set
by a Spanish-made sports car.
Norman Dewis, who would go on to
become Jaguar’s chief test driver for
more than 30 years, was the man tasked
with driving a much-modified Jaguar
XK120 on a closed section of motorway
in Belgium to try to eclipse the record of
150.13mph.
A technically astute and brave test
and racing driver, Dewis was used to
taking risks, but on this occasion he was
being asked to do something out of the
ordinary. To improve the aerodynamic
flow over the car the engineers at
Jaguar had made a clear Perspex
canopy to go over the driver’s cockpit.
However, the only way this could be
fastened to the bodywork was for it to
be hinged along one side and then
screwed down on the other. Dewis
would be locked into an airless space
inside a machine that could easily run
out of control, most likely by going
airborne at high speed. “It was one of
those things,” he recalled years later,
still laughing at his youthful exuber-
ance. “You look at it and think, ‘Should
I do it or shouldn’t I?’ I was always one
for trying things out and I thought, ‘It
could work, let’s try it.’ ”
Dewis put his foot to the floor and
took the car past the rev limit advised
by the Jaguar engineers. He didn’t just
break the record, he smashed it, with a
speed of 172.412mph. In an era when
records of this kind mattered for the
credibility of rival manufacturers, it was
a triumph for Jaguar, one that was
reported all over the world.
Dewis’s biographer, Paul Skilleter,
believes this was the most hazardous
FGM
to me. And then, nothing but love,
gratitude, money, success, increment
earned and unearned, glamour . . . and
a torrent of good pictures.”
Spartacus went on to win four Oscars
and a Golden Globe and was one of the
first significant must-see movies of the
1960s. The film’s iconic “I am Sparta-
cus” scene is still quoted today, in all
manner of contexts, from British sit-
coms (the final episode of Outnum-
bered) to the US Supreme Court (the
Brett Kavanaugh hearings).
With Spartacus, Universal-Interna-
tional became the first leading film
studio to give a screen credit to a black-
listed writer, and there is no doubt that
The film’s iconic ‘I am
Spartacus’ scene is
still quoted today
Trumbo’s credit played a significant
part in ending the stranglehold the
blacklist had on Hollywood’s creatives.
In recent decades another, much
more high-profile figure has sought
glory for bringing down the blacklist:
Kirk Douglas. In his old age, Douglas,
now 102, has cultivated and perpetua-
ted the story of how he hired Trumbo,
gave him a screen credit and changed
the course of Hollywood history. An
article in The Atlantic in 2012, however,
quoted Lewis, saying “that since 2003
Douglas had tried multiple times to
get him to ‘rewrite history and tell a
false story’.” He said that when he
refused, Douglas grew angry and said:
“You’ll be sorry!”
Edward Lewis was born in Camden,
Norman Dewis at the wheel of a Jaguar C-Type in 2015 and, right, racing in Belgium in 1952
feat of the driver’s long career, pointing
out that a crash at that speed was likely
to be fatal in a car that had no seatbelts
or roll-over protection. Dewis did not
even have a proper seat, but was
sitting on a foam cushion in order for
his head to clear the underside of
the canopy.
Norman Dewis was born in Coventry
in 1920, the second of two sons of Cyril
Dewis survived three
high-speed crashes
without incurring injury
Dewis and his wife, Florence (née Wild-
ay). His father, who ran a coal delivery
business using horse-drawn carts,
served in the Warwickshire Yeomanry
during the First World War and was
gassed in the trenches, leaving him in
poor health until his death at the age of
41. His mother was a shoemaker.
Edward Lewis shows off his Freedom of Expression Medal, awarded in 2004
New Jersey, in 1919, the son of Max
Lewis, who worked for the family’s fur-
niture business, and his wife, Florence.
At the age of 16 he began his studies
at Bucknell University in Lewisburg,
Pennsylvania, and went on to dental
school, but then quit to enlist in the US
army. He served in England during the
Second World War, reaching the rank
of captain before settling in Los Ange-
les, where he met Mildred Gerchik, the
sister of an army friend. They married
just after the war and embarked on
various short-lived ventures together,
including launching a pet health
insurance company. The couple had
two daughters, Susan and Joan, who
survive him and lead private lives.
Mildred died this year.
Dewis was brought up in the centre of
industrial Coventry by grandparents
because his mother and father were
forbidden to have children in their
house by their landlord. Dewis went to
primary school in Folly Lane in Coven-
try and then attended Barker Butts
secondary school, where he did well in
English, maths and science. His best
subject was art and he won a free
scholarship to the Coventry art school,
which he attended once a week.
Hopes among his teachers that he
would continue his studies were dashed
when Dewis decided at 14 that he had to
go to work because of the death of his
father. He started in 1934 as a delivery
boy on his bicycle for the local Co-op
greengrocer, but soon fulfilled a child-
hood dream by getting a job at the
Humber car factory near the family
home. Lack of reliable employment
with Humber resulted in him moving to
Armstrong Siddeley, the car and air-
craft manufacturer, in 1935 where he
ALAMY; GETTY IMAGES
The Lewises moved into the film
business in 1949, when, as their
daughter Susan recalled: “It somehow
occurred to them to write an adapta-
tion of a Balzac play. They knew some
people who were in the film business,
presented it, and it was made.”
The film, The Lovable Cheat, is most
notable now for including Buster
Keaton, who had been a star of silent
comedy, and although it did not garner
much attention (or acclaim), it did
launch the couple as screenwriters and
marked Lewis’s debut as a producer. He
joined Douglas’s company, Bryna Pro-
ductions, in 1956 and came up with the
idea of making a film of Spartacus after
Mildred had brought Howard Fast’s
original novel to his attention.
JASON BYE / EYEVINE
began an appren-
ticeship. Within
two years he was
conducting chassis
test drives.
In 1937 Dewis
signed up for the RAF
Volunteer Reserve and
trained as an air gunner on
Blenheim bombers. During the Second
World War he flew Blenheims on
operational sorties from RAF Church
Fenton near Leeds and later from RAF
Grangemouth on the Firth of Forth.
After recovering from a serious
kidney infection brought on by the
freezing conditions in the gun turrets of
Blenheims, Dewis returned to
Armstrong Siddeley and worked on the
company’s glider-towing project. He
moved to Jaguar in Coventry in
January 1952 as chief test driver and
development engineer.
He played a key role in developing
the new Dunlop disc brake and the Le
43
Register
From the 1960s Lewis was involved
in nine films with the director John
Frankenheimer, most notably the poli-
tical thriller Seven Days in May (1964)
starring Douglas, Burt Lancaster and
Ava Gardner, and the acclaimed four-
hour version of Eugene O’Neill’s The
Iceman Cometh (1973) starring Lee
Marvin and Fredric March.
Throughout his career, whether his
wife was credited or not, Lewis collabo-
rated with her, and it was under her
influence that his commitment to social
justice grew. Mildred, after all, came
from a family of activists. The couple
supported the civil rights movement
and helped to establish the head-
quarters of the United Farm Workers of
America in California in 1972.
Ten years later the Lewises scored a
significant success with the Oscar-
nominated Missing (1982), which was
directed and co-written by Costa-
Gavras. The film starred Jack Lemmon
and Sissy Spacek as the father and wife
of Charles Horman, an American writ-
er and film-maker who disappeared in
Chile after the 1973 coup. An Emmy
nomination came Lewis’s way as execu-
tive producer of the TV mini-series The
Thorn Birds (1983), which was set in the
Australian outback.
In retirement Lewis returned to writ-
ing and produced novels, stories, plays
and even musicals. It is for his princi-
ples, however, that Lewis will be best
remembered. As Trumbo himself put it:
“Eddie Lewis — who risked his name to
help a man who’d lost his name.”
Edward Lewis, film producer and writer,
was born on December 16, 1919. He died
on July 27, 2019, aged 99
Mans-winning C and D-Types, but also
a stream of production Jaguars, includ-
ing the iconic E-Type and the XJ6. He
was co-driver to Stirling Moss in the
1952 Mille Miglia, drove a D-Type in
the 1955 Le Mans 24-hour race and
competed in the Goodwood Nine
Hours. In all Dewis racked up more
than a million test miles at an average
speed of more than 100mph and sur-
vived three high-speed crashes without
incurring injury.
A diminutive figure dressed in his
trademark bootlace tie and
cowboy boots, he travelled
the world to motor
shows and promotional
events, enthralling en-
thusiasts with his rec-
ollections and talks.
He married Nancy
Elizabeth Miles in
1946 They met at a
1946.
dance in a village hall
on the edge of Coven-
try in 1943 when she was
serving in the Women’s
Army She died in 1993.
Land Army.
They had two children, who
survive him. Graeme is a retired air-
conditioning engineer and Linda is a
breeder of Shetland ponies.
Dewis became not just a legend at
Jaguar, but something of a heroic figure
among car buffs and motor racing fans.
“You can’t think of Norman Dewis
without thinking of the leaping cat,”
said the motor-sport journalist Simon
Taylor. “All of his work has been not for
the glory of Norman Dewis, it’s all been
for the glory of Jaguar.”
Norman Dewis, OBE, test driver, was
born on August 3, 1920. He died on
June 8, 2019, aged 98
44 FGM Thursday September 12 2019 | the times

times2

Roll up, roll up for

I watched it at
the life lessons of Friends is the most-streamed show on
Geoffrey Boycott, luv Netflix, its jokes shared by today’s
teens. Polly Vernon, who views it with
Deborah Ross her 13-year-old goddaughter, asks why

W S
elcome choose to enrol at the Geoffrey the street — imagine! — so the aturday afternoon. My 13- showed a picture of a sofa with the
one Boycott School of I Don’t Give a Geoffrey Boycott School of I year-old goddaughter and words “Pivot! PIVAAAAAAHT!” — a
and Toss, Love, situated in Yorkshire, Don’t Give a Toss, Love will be I sit on the sofa and watch reference to the 16th episode of the
all to or did we already say that? teaching as follows: because four episodes of Friends, fifth series, in which Ross tries to
the Yorkshire, Yorkshire, Yorkshire. that’s just the way it is. You thick back-to-back. I’ve seen manoeuvre a sofa up a stairwell (a clip
official Just the sound of it is fab! or what? them a hundred times of which has been viewed one and a
opening The curriculum. You’ll want And in your final year? OK, in before; so, apparently, has half million times on YouTube). While
of the to know all about that. Well, it’s your final year at the Geoffrey she, but this doesn’t bother we’re on the subject of Ross? His and
Geoffrey Boycott School of wide and varied and will include Boycott School of I Don’t Give us. We laugh at the same bits. We Rachel’s shifting, evasive, on-and-off-
I Don’t Give a Toss, Love. The seminars on how to believe a Toss, Love you will be asked to anticipate the same lines. and-on-again affair is surely the single
Geoffrey Boycott School of I you are unquestionably superb, show some understanding of the “Which one do you fancy?” she asks. most routinely invoked relationship
Don’t Give a Toss, Love, was how never to experience self- therapeutic powers of “Pull Your “Uh, Joey, OBVIOUSLY,” I reply. archetype of our times, up there with
founded just now to educate, doubt, how to avoid introspection Socks Up”, “Get a Grip” and “I have eyes. You?” Romeo and Juliet’s.
inform, campaign and support as a lifelong endeavour and “There Is Nothing That Can’t “Uh, Joey, OBVIOUSLY,” she says. If I were to name any of the six
those who support Geoffrey also there will be some physics, Be Cured by Going for a Pint”. I’d had a similar conversation, two main characters, in isolation and out
Boycott in not giving a toss, love. particularly exploring the nature Plus you will be asked to write and a half decades earlier, with my of context, you’d immediately know to
The school, which is situated in of time. a dissertation strongly making the friend Jules, only Jules had chosen whom I referred. And if I were to say,
Yorkshire, the greatest place in For example, how is it that a case for: “It’s Still My Word Chandler, “because he’s funny”. I’d “WE. WERE ON. A BREAK,” you’d
the entire world, universe, cosmos criminal conviction from 25 years Against Hers, Even Though held forth at length on how that alone immediately know to what I referred
— fact! — gets its name from the ago no longer matters, while we I Was Convicted.” encapsulated crucial distinctions in too. In the greater scheme of cultural
former cricketer’s response to are still meant to be impressed by We think it goes without saying our characters. Jules had said it was reference points, Friends is the most
Martha Kearney on Radio 4’s a cricketing career that, in effect, that anyone who sticks their hand useful because it meant we faced less universally understood of our time.
Today programme, who put it to concluded 33 years ago? I guess up to ask why we should believe competition for the affections of two Which is bizarre, given how
him that the head of the charity any feminist pulled in off the him when he says he didn’t do it fictional TV characters. fractured we are in almost every sense
Women’s Aid was “extremely street would have something to rather than her when she says he “Jules fancies Chandler,” I tell these days — how scattered our
disappointed” in his recent say about that, but we’re not did just isn’t entering into the my goddaughter (Jules is her viewing habits, how niche our tastes,
knighthood given his conviction about to pull any feminists in off correct spirit. Similarly, anyone godmother too). how split our politics and our
for domestic violence. ADAM DAVY/PA who suggests that the awarding “Weird,” she says. sensibilities and our generations. It’s
“I don’t give a toss about her, of a knighthood is a travesty “Yeah, but: less competition,” I say. more than bizarre. It is extraordinary.
love, and it was 25 years ago,” because it just whitewashes the Friends is 25 years old, yet I mean, I know exactly why it means
he said. One of the things you whole bloody thing and is really perpetually on our TV sets and laptop so much to me. I was 22 when Friends
will certainly learn at the creepy and horrible will be out screens. It is seen far more, and far first aired, recently graduated, working
Geoffrey Boycott School of I on their ear. more widely, now than when it full-time as a barmaid, sharing my
Don’t Give a Toss, Love is how It’s always a pity when someone originally ran, premiering on first flat in London with friends from
to chillingly belittle all the women has to lose their place at the September 22, 1994 in the US university (Jules and Martha, future
you have ever known in the Geoffrey Boycott School of I (Channel 4 picked it up for UK mother of my goddaughter, among
one sentence. Love. (Although Don’t Give a Toss, Love because markets six months later). them), broke, deeply unsure if
you won’t learn this until someone else might have Despite its age, despite its ubiquity, anything good or accomplished or
Year 2. Let’s not get ahead of benefited from it, such as all the despite it being viewed so many times purposeful would ever come of me
ourselves, dear.) male sports writers who have already by so many people, despite it — but hopeful and having a nice
Alas, Geoffrey could not be always rushed to his defence and being beyond parody, despite its jokes time, nonetheless.
with us today for the official all the male cricket fans who say, being repeated so often they should be Friends couldn’t have been more
opening because Geoffrey is an “Come on, it was nothing, get reduced to ragged comedy cliché, squarely aimed at me and my lot if
extremely busy man. Indeed, a grip!” Alternatively, it may be despite it being denounced variously we’d done it ourselves, which we
Geoffrey’s first trial for assaulting that the school has nothing to for not being as funny as it’s supposed couldn’t possibly have done; we lacked
his girlfriend in a French Riviera teach any of them at all. to be or for not being as politically the talent and the rigour. Last month
hotel was due to take place in So that’s the Geoffrey Boycott correct — as woke — as we are vulture.com ran an extract from Saul
January 1998, but it had to be put School of I Don’t Give a Toss, supposed to be, Friends remains Austerlitz’s book Generation Friends,
aside until October because he Love, which would welcome extraordinarily hot property. which detailed the experience of those
didn’t attend. Busy, busy, busy. As women if only they weren’t In the UK, in 2018 and 2019, it was who worked in the Friends writers’
you will certainly be should you banned. Sorry about that. Love. Netflix’s most-streamed show by a wide room, who regularly endured 14 to
margin, which explains why the 16-hour shifts in a boardroom that
service paid a staggering $80 million Austerlitz described as “simultaneously
Apparently, 16 shops a your purchase home, Costcutter who knows in 2018 to keep it (this deal runs out a party room and a prison cell”. I felt
day are closing on our right now, this minute, all the local crime next year, at which point Warner tired and panicked just reading it.
Shops are high streets, which is today, without waiting statistics and likes Media gets its mitts on Friends, despite I can clearly remember seeing a
awful, terrible, ghastly for it to be delivered scaring the bejesus out Netflix having offered a rumoured trailer for its premiere on Channel 4.
great . . . up because shops are great the day after tomorrow of everybody. $100 million to maintain the rights). (There were only four channels at the
and shops are fantastic. when you’re out and A shop is a place A report published in January 2019 time, I was hardly likely to miss it.)
to a point A shop is a place you then again the day where you don’t have to on young people and the media found “What do you reckon to that?” I asked
can slip into if the after that, when you’re make chit-chat with a it was the most popular TV show Jules. She said it looked like it might
weather is bad. A shop also out. DPD driver for fear he among 5 to 16-year-olds (the report be worth setting the video for.
is a place you can slip I could go on about might think you snotty. went on to specify that they watch it So we did.
into if you have time to the wonders of shops And a shop is the place alone and on mobile phones). I can’t remember the exact process
kill. A shop is a place for ever, so will. A shop for feeling an item, Urban Outfitters sells Friends- of Jules and me in particular, and our
where you can tell if is a place where you squeezing it, rattling it, branded T-shirts and sweatshirts. A generation in general, falling in love
avocados are “ripe and can tell what’s good bouncing it, sniffing it, recent series of broadsheet newspaper with this one show. I only remember
ready” and it’s not just today and what isn’t. holding it up to the articles compared the dynamic that one day it wasn’t there and the
that they’re saying this A shop is a place where light and generally between the Duke and Duchess of next it was everywhere and everything.
is so. you can try stuff on so checking it out all over, Sussex to that of Monica and A (deeply flattering) mirror to our
A shop is a place you know straight off if in real time, before . . . Chandler, in happy anticipation of its lives and an influence on our dress
where you pay a living it does or does not fit scurrying off to see if it readers knowing what they meant — sense and haircuts and the rhythms
person behind a and won’t have to go to is cheaper on Amazon, which, of course, they did. with which we spoke (could we be any
counter and then — get the hassle of returning Oh, dear. Shops are Yesterday I noticed on the Tube an easier to manipulate?); an aspiration, a
this! — you can take it via the man in f***ed, aren’t they? advert for an estate agency that marker in our life stages. They weren’t
the times | Thursday September 12 2019
22. I’m still watching it
us. They were American and better
looking, they had — puzzlingly —
much more free time (“time porn” was
how the media of the day referred to
their surplus of hanging out), and they
drank a lot more coffee (coffee shop
culture had yet to land in the UK).
But still! They served as the telly
equivalent to a soundtrack of our
twenties — I fell in love to Friends, got
my first break in journalism to Friends,
bought my first flat to Friends — and,
if we didn’t feel as though we were
them exactly, we certainly felt as
though we knew them. As the show
continued, over ten series and ten
years, as those six characters evolved
and were refined, their glitches, their
psychologies and their dynamics
became more pronounced and precise
— we really did come to know them,
in a way. When I re-watch Friends,
one of the things I feel is affection.
So of course I like Friends! Of course
it means a lot to me! It was my era!
I lived in a time before iPhones and
YouTubers, and no one knowing how
their life would pan out, but no one
worrying about it too much either,
because we just didn’t.
I lived it with them. Never mind that
I also heard those jokes and witnessed
those plot twists for the first time, as
they happened. Never mind that, for
some weeks in ’97, Jules and I became
obsessed with a specific low V-neck
T-shirt style that Rachel Green wore
through great swathes of season three
and dedicated ourselves to tracking it
down. (We eventually worked out that
it was by Calvin Klein, but Warehouse
did a passable copy.) My experience of
Friends was tinged with freshness and
sharpness and cool.
But why does it mean so much to
everyone else? To people 20 or —
in the case of my goddaughter —
34 years younger than me? People
to whom it can’t possibly seem
fresh, sharp or cool, people who
seem so distanced from me in so
many other respects.
FGM
When Friends hit Netflix, some
of the millennial generation were
distraught to discover how staggeringly
un-diverse the cast seemed, how
incredibly middle-class and white, but
also how prone to make jokes about
fatness, or at the expense of the only
gay character on the show (Ross’s
ex-wife Carol), or in response to Joey’s
gradual realisation that he’d been
sexually assaulted by his tailor.
A “wokelash’’, I called it, a backlash
designed to denounce Friends’s ageing
values. I was scathing about this
wokelash at first: all those youngsters
raising their voices in condemnation,
so confident that the things they
thought and said, felt and believed
wouldn’t seem preposterously
outdated 25 years hence too . . . but
then I realised you only judge a
cultural property by today’s values
if it is still relevant according to
today’s standards and habits.
Which, of course, Friends is.
Generation Woke may not
approve of it, but they are
watching it anyway.
Theories abound regarding
its enduring popularity.
1. It’s gentle and nostalgic, it has
no edges and no surprises, and we
need that sort of cultural comfort
blanket desperately, given terrorism,
NBCU PHOTO BANK
Trump, knife crime, our unknowable
political circumstances etc.
2. It’s technically immaculate TV,
each episode designed so that it might
be watched, understood and laughed
heartily at out of sequence, even if the
viewer hasn’t seen it before.
3. It showcases underappreciated
comic genius on the part of the cast.
“Watch Jennifer Aniston in it,” a TV
producer friend once said to me.
“Imagine the words she says written
down. See how flat they are. See what
she does with them. Then bow down
before her brilliance.” So I did — and
she was right. David Schwimmer’s
physical comedy is immaculate too, it
should be said, and Courteney Cox
Top: Courteney Cox, getting caught up in the revolving
Matthew Perry, cord of a floor polisher, or with a
Jennifer Aniston and Thanksgiving turkey on her head,
Matt LeBlanc in is equally, infinitely rewatchable.
Friends. Above: David But then 4: it is beautifully silly. Its
Schwimmer, Aniston comedy relies as much on our eternal
and Lisa Kudrow. capacity to enjoy Phoebe Buffay’s
Below: Polly Vernon breakout hit Smelly Cat as it does
anything else. Silliness — a much
underrated virtue — doesn’t age.
And 5? It is about friendship.
Friendship is the situation in this
comedy. More than that, it’s about
friendship as a viable alternative to
traditional yet dysfunctional family
set-ups. It kicks off with Rachel
running away from her wedding.
Monica’s bad relationship with her
mother, the suicide of Phoebe’s
mother and Chandler’s non-existent
childhood at the hands of narcissistic
parents are the backbone of their
individual psychologies.
Ultimately, I think, Friends keeps
on working, because it is a very kind
show. Un-woke, of course — no one
was woke in the 1990s — but deeply
kind, nonetheless. It’s about a
group of people who do their best
by each other. Who wouldn’t want
that as their No 1 recurring,
constantly streamed, repeatedly
referenced, endlessly money-
spinning cultural touchstone?
45
times2
The lowdown
Pet portraits
Smile, Fido!
Oh no, I’m not falling for this again.
Come on, I just want to take a quick
snap of you. You know, for Twitter.
#humansdon’tdeservedogs. I’m
hoping Kay Burley will retweet it.
Absolutely not. The last photos you
took of me with that iPhone made
me look terrible. The soft-focus,
bokeh-effect portrait mode is to
make podgy humans like you look
half-decent, it’s not for proud
pooches like me. My face was fuzzy,
my fur looked flat — I looked like
Snoopy. Snoopy!
Ah, but wait, I’ve got a brand-new
iPhone 11. It has dual cameras,
one with a 12MP wide lens and
one with a 12MP ultra-wide lens
(the iPhone 11 pro has three
12MP cameras!), meaning three
times faster autofocus in low
light . . .
Like in a kennel, good.
Yes, and increased lighting
controls, optical image stabilisation,
a new HDR system and a portrait
mode with advanced bokeh
and depth control! Why aren’t
you smiling?
First of all, I’m a dog. Second, I don’t
know what you’re talking about.
In a nutshell — the new iPhone 11
comes with “pet portrait mode”.
The system can identify animal
faces, as well as human, and it
will apply the same Vaseline-
smeared, soft-focus, high-flattery
filter to all your tiresome pet
photos. Whether you’re snoozing
by a pub fire, jumping for a Frisbee
or skateboarding through the
park — no more ugly pets on
Instagram! Every mongrel will
be a stunner.
Don’t you think this will contribute
to household pets feeling they
have to attain an unrealistic
physical ideal?
Will you just shut up and pose?
Woof.
Thank you.
Woof, woof.
Did you call me podgy?
Chris Bennion
46
times2
Deadly snakes,
alcoholic parents
and surviving
colonial Africa
When Alexandra Fuller wrote her first unflinching
memoir her parents were horrified at their portrayal.
Now she’s written another one, she tells Hilary Rose
A
lexandra Fuller was
two when her life
was set on a course
that could charitably
be described as
eccentric. It was
1972 and her parents
decided to move
their young family from Derbyshire to
what was then Rhodesia. They didn’t
let a little thing like a brutal war for
independence put them off, and
indeed her father intended to get stuck
in himself. The Fullers don’t, in truth,
sound like the sort of people who are
put off by anything much at all.
“We went to Rhodesia when it was
a pariah state,” Fuller recalls, on the
phone from her yurt in Wyoming. “We
elbowed our way in as white settlers.
How did we think it was going to end?
It was not going to be pretty. The
white-settler narrative insists on
stoicism. Feelings make you useless.
You can’t go and wipe out a whole
village and then feel for them, that
would make you a lousy settler. There
needs to be heartlessness and it needs
to be bred into the kids.”
Fuller has spent the rest of her life
trying, as she puts it, to thaw. Part of
that process has been writing her
award-winning memoirs, which have
been bestsellers on both sides of the
Atlantic. The latest, her fourth, is
called Travel Light, Move Fast, one of
her father’s mottos. The first, in 2002,
Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight: An
African Childhood, sold more than
100,000 copies in the UK alone.
Cocktail Hour under the Tree of
Forgetfulness told the story of her
mother, a hard-drinking, glamorous,
hilarious racist. Fuller says Leaving
Before the Rains Come is a love letter
to her father, but everyone thought it
was about the end of her marriage.
Throughout, her depiction of her
dysfunctional family is unflinching.
She is sensitive to accusations, not
least from her family, that it’s a little
too unflinching, that she’s banging on
about her family again, and exposing
them in uncomfortable clarity to the
world. Her parents think her books are
simply awful. Fuller says that she
sometimes wonders why she writes
about them, but she can’t help herself.
Her father, Tim, was born and
brought up in England; her mother,
Nicola, in Kenya.
They had five
children, three
of whom died in
infancy in
Africa: Vanessa;
Adrian, who
succumbed to
meningitis;
Alexandra;
Olivia, who
drowned as a
toddler while
alone with
nine-year-old
Alexandra; and
another son
who died
shortly after
birth. Fuller,
now 50, was born in England
9 months and 20 days after Adrian
died, to “replace” him. Overcome by
grief, her parents had returned with
Vanessa to Glossop, where her
mother’s parents lived. “Mum
absolutely hated it,” Fuller says. “They
tolerated it for as long as they could,
then went back. She felt looked down
upon. If you’re a white colonial, the
majority of people act like they’re
looking up to you, even though they
secretly loathe you. That’s the irony.”
Their resulting life roaming around
Rhodesia, Malawi and Zambia was
chaotic and violent. By the time Fuller
was 18, they had moved nine or ten
times. When her father wasn’t
plunging into the bush for weeks on
end to take on “the terrorist guys”, as
he called them, who were fighting for
independence, he was a banana
farmer. Fuller hero-worshipped him. A
typical anecdote came from not long
before he died. He settled down in his
chair one evening, with his dog and his
pipe, and announced that he was
going to tell her the secret of life, right
now, in case he died suddenly. They
sat there in companionable silence for
a while, until Fuller prompted him.
“Nothing comes to mind, quite
honestly,” he said. “Now that I think
about it, maybe there isn’t a secret
to life.”
Her mother was, and is, Fuller says,
the funniest person she has met,
a razor-sharp observer of life and
fearless defender of her beloved dogs.
The day she beat a huge black mamba
FGM
Main picture:
Alexandra Fuller.
Above: holding an
Uzi submachine gun,
with her mother and
older sister Vanessa
in Rhodesia.
Right: Alexandra
and Vanessa
to death with a stick after it killed
the dogs is known in the family as
Bloody Sunday.
The word Fuller uses to describe
her relationship to her family is
“embedded”, the same word used for
reporters who go with the army into
war zones. She has had an up-and-
down relationship with her sister,
whom she adored as a child, but who
struggled as much as she did to cope
with their childhood, the violence and
the stiff upper lip, the drinking and
denial. Were her parents alcoholics?
“Hell, yeah, but I think what’s much
more interesting is what causes them
to drink,” Fuller says. “For both of
them, it’s the abandonment that comes
with being the kids of empire. They
didn’t talk about it. They didn’t have
I had no the language for it. They had all this
entitlement and it was snatched away.”
idea what Some things she left out as too
personal. “It’s usually something
grief was sordid, or unfeeling, the sort of things
people do when they weren’t hugged
until my enough as children.” Her mother’s
favourite response to almost anything
son died is “don’t exaggerate”.
Thursday September 12 2019 | the times
Fuller’s early years were marked
by overt racism, her mother’s
declining mental health and the war.
Her parents slept with guns under
the bed, and at the age of seven
Fuller could dismantle and rebuild
a gun. A story about her father
taking them out on a zebra shoot
and getting lost for days in the bush
isn’t a near-death experience, but
an amusing anecdote.
Tim Fuller was never lost, he was
merely “temporarily surprised by
destination”. He would
his destination
grumpily take his laptop to do his
“online f-ing banking” in the pub on
the banks of the Zambezi, where a trip
to the loo in the dark carried a risk of
being waylaid by an angry hippo. He
was happy for people to come and stay
so long as they didn’t expect four solid
walls and a ceiling. “Luxury only
encourages guests to outstay their
welcome,” he said. “A reptile or two
keeps everyone on their toes.”
He died suddenly of septicaemia in
2015, while on holiday in Budapest with
Nicola, and how the family coped with
the bereavement — or failed to cope —
forms the backbone of the book.
Fuller was 24 when, in 1994, she left
Africa. She was “trauma-bonded” to
the place, she thinks now, and needed
a push to get her out. That came in the
form of a safari guide, whom she
married, and they moved with their
first child to Wyoming. They had two
more children, but the marriage ended
in divorce 20 years later. Today she
says that she misses Africa terribly: the
land, the smell, the communities, what
she calls “the constant, lively
accompaniment of the dead”. But she
can’t ever move back because three
the times | Thursday September 12 2019
TIG
years after she lost her father she
lost her only son too. He died after
suffering a seizure at the age of 21
and is buried in Wyoming. “I told
him I loved him to infinity,” she says.
“Typical of me that I would have a
child that would choose to take me up
on that. I had no idea what grief was
until my son died.”
Bereavement served only to deepen
the rift with her mother and sister. Her
father had been the glue that held the
family together. Without him they fell
apart. Her mother still lives on the
family farm on the border of Zambia
and Zimbabwe, goes to the do’s at the
high commission and “considers that
her absence would scar the ambassador
for life”. Her sister lives in Kafue,
Zambia. Her family can’t deal with
trauma because they won’t talk about
it. “Families take blows in different
ways,” Fuller says, “and my father dying
was a fatal blow for our little group.”
“My sister and I have a history of
animosity, but my mum and I really
don’t. I adore her, but this relationship
isn’t healthy for me.” So for the
foreseeable future, Fuller has given up
trying to mend it. She lives in her yurt,
which has electricity, but no running
water. She has two daughters, aged 26
and 13, and moves into a condo near
her younger daughter’s school during
term time. Mostly she writes her
books, meditates, and visits her
partner, who lives in another yurt an
hour away. It sounds lonely, but she
says it’s not. “That’s a lesson I learnt
from my dad. Befriend the moon and
you’ll never be lonely.”
Travel Light, Move Fast by Alexandra
Fuller is published by Serpent’s Tail
today, £14.99
FGM
Anyone for a dad-bod shirt? Cool kids are
selling their clothes online, so I did it too
By Stuart Heritage
S
pend enough time around
young people and you
might be forgiven for
thinking that Depop is a
breeze. A peer-to-peer
fashion-selling app,
Depop exists at the
precise intersection of
eBay and Instagram. Like the former,
it’s a place where you upload photos
of clothes in the hope that someone
will want to buy them. As with the
latter, the sellers have grown into
stars. They are young, fit and stylish,
and have armies of followers ready to
buy into the sun-drenched lifestyle
image they conjure up.
They are rich too. Depop has
13 million users, so its top sellers
have quickly become global fashion
icons. Nineteen-year-old Ellen
Bundey from Kent was recently
named as Depop’s fifth-biggest seller,
posting out 75 orders of her glitter
range to buyers every day.
Selfridges in London has launched
an in-store Depop pop-up — part
shop, part extended meet-and-greet
— the popularity of which hinges
solely on the presence of Depop’s
biggest stars. The actress Emily
Ratajkowski, the singer Lily Allen
and the Made in Chelsea star
Georgia Toffolo use Depop to
sell their old clothes.
These figures make it all look so
effortless. You download the Depop
app and are presented with hundreds
of beaming, vibrant youngsters
standing in glamorous locales
dripping in gorgeous clothes. “This
seems easy enough,” you think.
But you’ve forgotten one important
thing: 90 per cent of those 13 million
people are under 25. And you are not
under 25. You’re an overweight,
39-year-old father of two. You’re
exhausted, but somehow you
look even more exhausted
than you should. You look
like a coma patient who
was intravenously fed
liquidised doughnuts for
20 years, then propped up
with a stick.
You’re so invested in
the idea of becoming a
Depopper, though,
that you start
taking pictures
of your clothes
straight away,
even though
there’s nobody
at home to
help you. So
you have to
Sellotape
your phone
to a desk fan
balanced on a
pile of books
on your bed.
And only then
do you realise
that you almost
exclusively wanted to
sell clothes that you’ve
become too fat for.
So there you are,
standing in what might
be described as a CIA
stress position while a camera fixed
at the world’s least flattering angle
takes a photo of you crammed into a
too-tight shirt that makes you look
as though someone has tried to
contain an explosion at a sausage-
meat factory with two square inches
of muslin.
I should have seen this coming.
When you sign up to Depop as a
buyer, you’re asked to enter all your
basic measurements, and with every
new measurement my selection of
clothes became a little smaller. Tell
Depop that you’re young and lithe,
and you’re offered endless
photographs of beautiful young men
wearing elaborate trousers. Tell them
you’re a middle-aged man with a
36in waist and you get a single dingy
I have a photo of an arm holding a stained
follower! grey sweater next to a radiator.
Perhaps my choice of garments
Her name didn’t help matters. Other users
specialise in sample sales, selling on
is Pixie. exclusive fashion pieces from high-
end designers, but all I have to offer
She likes is a selection of my ratty back-of-the-
wardrobe duds.
‘daring’ There’s the hoodie I bought at the
top of Mount Snowdon that I’ve
clothes never worn because I’m red-green
colour-blind and didn’t realise how
offensively purple it was. There’s the
Brexit-themed T-shirt reading “I am
sorry” in French that I bought to
wear on holiday before rightly
chickening out. There’s the grey
cashmere rollneck that I wore for
25 seconds before realising that,
well, it made me look like the sort
of berk who goes around wearing
a grey cashmere rollneck. There’s
the pink Hawaiian shirt I bought to
accompany a tiki bar feature I wrote
for this newspaper last year, which
Stuart Heritage
47
times2
I’ve been desperate to offload on to
some poor fool.
I check Allen’s page for tips, but it
just makes things worse. Her goods
are bold and exciting — a recent
item was a pair of flared Dagmar
trousers (new, £60 plus postage) —
which only make my clothes look
more dad-bod by comparison.
The only way I could even hope to
cut through the noise of Depop’s
trendy young things, I figured, was to
impose a policy of extreme honesty
in my listing descriptions. “Charlie
Brown jumper for fat men,” I wrote
under one photo. “The least
flattering shirt I have ever bought,” I
wrote under another. Under a third
— of a harrowing tartan blazer, the
sort of thing Michael Portillo would
wear if he wanted to deliberately self-
initiate a migraine — I simply wrote:
“What the f*** was I thinking?”
I closed the app, certain that I
wouldn’t hear a peep from anyone.
But then a weird thing happened.
Almost immediately my phone
buzzed. I had a follower! Her name
was Pixie and she specialised in
daring clothes, such as a knitted
sweater with spikes jutting out of the
shoulders. She wasn’t my size or my
sex, but that didn’t matter. She was
following me. It was a validation.
An hour later my phone buzzed
again. I had a second follower, a man
called Bilbo Baggins who sold extra-
small vintage T-shirts. Then another
follower, who sold old band T-shirts
in a size much smaller than I could
ever hope to fit into. And that was it.
I now have a grand total of three
Depop followers. It isn’t a lot. It is
several thousand fewer than Lily
Allen. Yet these three followers made
me feel like an influencer.
Maybe they saw something in my
clothes that I didn’t see for myself.
Maybe, in some small way, I’ve
started a movement here. Maybe my
three followers will now see the value
of ironic Brexit-themed statement
shirts and they’ll tell their friends,
and their friends will tell their
friends, and soon the world will be
swimming in “Je suis désolé” T-shirts
and it’ll all be down to me.
That’s unlikely — my clothes
have been on sale for weeks
and nobody has bought a
thing. But it’s the thought that
counts. And more than that,
it’s the intention. I stick out
like a sore thumb on Depop.
I’m too old and too fat, and
my clothes don’t fit the
standard definition of what
can or should work on the
app. Yet there I am anyway.
When the 13 million Depop
kids log in and see me
squished into a jumper that no
longer fits me, they are seeing
someone who refuses to bend to
society’s expectations. They are
seeing a rebel. If just one Depop
user looks at my profile and feels
inspired, my job will be done.
It would be nice if they
bought something, but let’s not
get carried away. They really
are horrible clothes.
48
Television & Radio
Today’s television
BBC ONE
6.00am Breakfast 9.15 Crimewatch
Roadshow Live 10.00 Homes Under
the Hammer 11.00 Defenders UK
11.45 Close Calls: On Camera
12.15pm Bargain Hunt 1.00 BBC
News 1.30 BBC Regional News 1.45
Doctors 2.15 Impossible 3.00
Escape to the Country 3.45 Garden
Rescue 4.30 Antiques Road Trip
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FGM Thursday September 12 2019 | the times
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Through the Night

MindGames
Sudoku
Fill the grid so that every
column, every row and
every 3x3 box contains
the digits 1 to 9.
Word watch
Josephine
Balmer
Noyade
a A sweet mousse
b A musical interlude
c An execution method
Noyau
a A legal injunction
b An alcoholic drink
c A muddy creek
Noy
a To harm
b Stroppy
c A curtain hook
Answers on page 51
The Times Daily Quiz Olav Bjortomt
1 What does the MOT in
an MOT test stand for?
2 Gbg is an
abbreviation for
which city, the second-
largest in Sweden?
3 In Arthurian legend,
the castle of Corbenic
housed which treasure?
4 Which brand of
hair removal products
changed its name to
Veet in 2003?
5 Used on social
media, ICYMI is the
written abbreviation
for which phrase?
6 Which German
Velvet Underground
collaborator was born
Christa Päffgen in 1938?
The Times Quick Cryptic No 1438 by Orpheus
1 2 3 4
9 10
11 12
15 16
17
19
20 21
23
12.09.19
Mild No 10,978 Fiendish No 10,979 Super fiendish No 10,980
4 2 9
9 7 3 1 7 5 2 2
41 3 8 5 9 1 5 9 4
52 2 1 7 5 9 5 7 6
2 3 5 1 6 1 8 4 7 2 5
8 6 1 7 5 8 9 4 3 4 6
9 7 5 8 1 8 6 7 4 3 7 1
6 2 4 6 7 2 3 2 9 6
PUZZLER MEDIA
6 4 7 9 1 6 9 2
Cluelines Stuck on Sudoku, Killer or KenKen? Call 0901 293 6263 before midnight to receive four clues for any of today’s
puzzles. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company’s network access charge. SP: Spoke, 0333 202 3390 (Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm).
Suko No 2653
ALAMY
the films Beast and
Wild Rose?
12 Which Makar
(Scottish national poet)
wrote the 1986 play
Chiaroscuro and the
1998 novel Trumpet?
13 Founded by Michele
Taddei and Renzo
Zengiaro, which Italian
15 luxury brand makes
the Marie bag?
7 Which cartoon Elizabeth the Queen
cat’s first film Mother? 14 Which New York
appearance was in City borough gives
Feline Follies (1919)? 10 Bartender Fosco its name to the oldest
Scarselli created which continuously existing
8 Naxos is the largest cocktail by replacing cricket club in the US?
island in which group the soda water in an
in the Aegean Sea? Americano with gin? 15 The pictured Lacock Place the numbers 1 to 9 in the
Abbey was the home spaces so that the number in each
9 Who is the youngest 11 Which Irish of which 19th-century circle is equal to the sum of the four
grandchild of King runner up in I’d Do photography pioneer? surrounding spaces, and each colour
George VI and Queen Anything starred in Answers on page 51 total is correct
5 6 7 Across Down
1 Give birth with assistance (5) 1 Court left wine in Lord
8 4 One abstaining from food Chancellor’s place (8)
more quickly (6) 2 Adversary’s force finally upset
9 Gorge, and reach too high a Yankee soldiers (5)
temperature in Bow? (7) 3 Best prayer oddly abandoned
10 Decomposing matter emits by a church elder (9)
awful smell around university 5 A quiet wood (3)
(5) 6 Drums a fellow viewed with
13 11 What those in authority may endless fright (7)
have, for example (3) 7 Reportedly regrets trick (4)
14 12 Cheeky response from rear 8 Goals ultimately amuse
about headgear (8) defensive player? Something
15 Trick woman into cooking for fishy here (11)
stars (13) 13 Lizard given tea and fruit
17 Firm securing gold suitable for outside rear of café (9)
stashing away (8) 14 Bold print I’d employ initially
18 18 Blade cutting off pig’s head (3) somehow (8)
20 Broadcast about poet’s work 16 Like available digs inspiring
(5) lessee’s last letter? (7)
22 Report of central European 18 Fibre produced by Rutland
going to city for medical town, so it’s said (5)
22
examination (5-2) 19 Yield readily at first, arrested
23 Person consulting doctor is by police officer (4)
disheartened — that’s plain (6) 21 Foreign money one of
24 Vagrant originally moving Napoleon’s marshals raised (3)
24 around in biblical land (5)
Yesterday’s solution on page 51
the times | Thursday September 12 2019 FGM 51

MindGames
Chess Raymond Keene Brain Trainer Cell Blocks No 3635
Just follow the instructions from left to right, starting with the number given to reach an answer at the end. TTHCELL3635

© PUZZLER MEDIA
Benko’s punch line Fighting for some air on the Divide the grid

ANSWER ANSWER ANSWER

queenside. 15 ... Nf6 would have 2 2 into square or
Grandmaster Pal Benko, whose been calmly met by 16 Bf2. EASY 26 x 3 + 66 DOUBLE – 104 HALFIT OF – 32 ÷ 4 DOUBLE
IT
+ 14 rectangular
death at the age of 91 I reported 16 axb6 axb6 17 b4 Ne6 18 b5
IT
12 4 blocks, each
in last Tuesday’s column, had a Destroying the guard over d5, containing one
pugnacious style, both on and off giving White’s knight access to 4 digit only.
the board. Although he suffered that very fine central post.
63
Every block
many drastic defeats at the hands 18 ... Nxd4 19 Bxd4 Bxd4+ 20 MEDIUM + 19 HALF OF
IT
– 7 x 10 HALF OF
IT
÷5 x6 DOUBLE ÷8 2 2 must contain
IT
of leading grandmasters, Benko Qxd4 c5 the number of
was also capable of pulling off
victories against the best. His
Black’s lack of development, as
well as the weaknesses on d5 and
2 2 3 3 cells indicated
by the digit
victims included Bobby Fischer, d6, are enough to guarantee his 3 3
559 – 275
inside it.
Mikhail Tal, Tigran Petrosian, demise. HARDER – 1/4 + 77 – 84 HALFIT OF + 17 ÷ 4 x 17 DOUBLE
IT
Vasily Smyslov, Efim Geller, Sam-
uel Reshevsky, Paul Keres and Vik-
21 Qd2 Bb7 22 Rad1 Re6 23 e5
Bxg2 24 Kxg2 Qb7+ 25 Kf2 Rd8
OF IT
5
tor Korchnoi. 26 exd6
Away from the board, Benko White has won Black’s d-pawn
seemed to have a special talent but the game isn’t over as the Polygon Set Square No 2481
for becoming involved in tense pawn is in need of support. Also © PUZZLER MEDIA
situations. These mainly involved the white king is exposed. From these letters, make words of four Enter each of
disputes about the chess clocks but 26 ... Nf6 27 Rxe6 fxe6 28 Qe3 or more letters, always including the
he was also once arrested by East Kf7 29 Qf3 Qb8 30 Ne4 Nxe4+
+ - =2 the numbers
central letter. Answers must be in the from 1 to 9 in
Berlin border guards. On another 31 Qxe4 Rd7 32 Qc6 Qd8 33 Kf3 Concise Oxford Dictionary, excluding
x x x the grid, so
occasion, he even slapped Bobby Kg7 34 g4 e5 35 fxe5 Rf7+ 36 Kg2 capitalised words, plurals, conjugated
Fischer. The blow occurred during Qh4 37 Rf1
that the six
an argument about a shared ana- Avoiding 37 Rd2, which allows
verbs (past tense etc), adverbs ending sums work.
lyst during the 1962 Candidates 37 ... Qe1, when Black will achieve in LY, comparatives and superlatives. 9 x - = 51 We’ve placed
tournament in Curacao. a draw by perpetual check. How you rate 10 words, average; two numbers
37 ... Rxf1 38 Kxf1 Qxh3+ 39 Qg2 14, good; 20, very good; 26, excellent - ÷ - to get you
White: Pal Benko Qe3 40 Qe2 Qh3+ Black resigns started. Each
Black: Robert Fischer
Yesterday’s answers 2 + ÷ = 10 sum should be
calculated left
Candidates Tournament, Notes to the above game are
Curacao 1962 based on those in Pal Benko: My ante, aunt, equant, nape, neap, neat, to right or top
neep, nepeta, neta, pane, pant, paten, = = = to bottom.
W________W Life, Games, and Compositions by
Pal Benko and Jeremy Silman pean, peanut, peen, pent, pétanque, 43 3 20
áW4bDrDkD] puna, punt, quant, quean, queen, teen,
(Siles Press). This is a massive
à0p1nDpgp] tome that tells you everything tuna, tune, unapt Please note, BODMAS does not apply
ßWDp0WDpD] you need to know about Benko.
Þ)WhWDWDW] It was one of Benko’s misfor-
ÝWDWHP)WD] tunes that when he lost, he did so Killer Gentle No 6769 6min Solutions
ÜDWHWGW)P] in style. A typical case was today’s
Winning Move, which features 5 11 16 7 15 7 14
ÛW)P!WDBD] one of the most famous coups in
Quick Cryptic 1437 Codeword 3751 Kakuro 2477
Ú$WDW$WIW] the entire chess archive. The P E NN S
U O C
Y L
A
V A
C
N I A N
N U
B I
I
L L I N
U M
G O T H
A R U
E R
U
9 8 7 5 1 3 1 2
8 6 9 7 5 2 1 3 1
WÁÂÃÄÅÆÇÈW critical position was used in last 8 15 B L OWO U T T OP E R L O CUM L OCU S T S 7 9 9 8 2 4 9
year’s London staging of the Tim S N R E I I S L I I O A B T
5 7 3 1 2 8 9
15 ... b5 Rice/ABBA musical Chess. A DD E R S T O NGU E OR D I N A R Y L A Z Y
8 9 7 3 1 2 4
10 5 15 12 12 A A T N R W E E S N
W________W T OY BO Y U P P I T Y YO K I NG AC I D I C 9 4 6 3 7 2 1
árDWDq4Wi] Winning Move A V B A N S U T J E A 7 9 8 1 4 9 8
P A S T E UR C A V I L E LMS P O I N T E R S 7 9 8 9 7 7 9
à0pDWDpgp] 15 6 18 R I R O K E O A Q F I A A H 1 2 6 5 8 9 7 2 1
ßWDphWDWD] White to play. This position is from I NDU S K N E E S U P SQUA L L S R E V U E 3 1 7 9 8 9 1 3
ÞDWDWDWDQ] Fischer-Benko, New York 1963.
At first sight 1 e5 appears overwhelming 12 4 12 17 3
C E
E A S TW
A E
A R D
D T E
A S P S
E A U
L A T E X
T I
S POU S
E W
E S Train Tracks 813
ÝWDW0PDWD] but Benko had prepared the reply 1 ... f5, Z A U R J E N Quintagram
Q LWX D Y 4 3 1 3 3 6 4 6
ÜDWHBDWDP] which holds the black position together. Sudoku 10,975 Set Square 2480
F T VG I S CBMKOP H 3
ÛP)PDWDPD] What was Fischer’s stunning alternative? 8 7 6 15 16 10 7 9 2 3 4 8 6 1 5 2 x 5 x 7
1 Gear
2 Bumper
A 3

Ú$WDWDRIW] For up-to-the-minute information, follow 4 1 6 7 9 5 8 2 3 3 Clutch 6

WÁÂÃÄÅÆÇÈW my tweets on twitter.com/times_chess. 23

3
9
5
2
8
1
1
8
6
3
2
4
9
7
4
5
7
6
+ + x 4 Exhaust
5 Take apart
6

8 - 3 + 9 7
6 7 3 5 2 1 4 8 9 1
5 8 4 9 7 6 2 3 1 - x x
3
14 7 15 12 3 11 8 3 9 4 5 7 1 6 2
Bridge Andrew Robson 1 6 7 2 8 3 5 9 4
6 x 4 x 1
B
1

2 4 5 6 1 9 3 7 8
7 12
There was much of interest in this Dealer: East, Vulnerability: Both Lexica 4955 Lexica 4956 Cell Blocks 3634
TTFCELL3634A

3NT deal from the Four Star Swiss Sudoku 10,976

3 4
Teams at the EBU Summer Teams ♠ AQ J 9 7 2 Advanced J I G S G

♥Q 1 5 9 4 6 7 2 8 3 O R S S M E A R 2 6
Meeting in Eastbourne. Trick one
proceeded ♥10, ♥Q, ♥K, ♥A, and ♦Q 8 6 2 8 6 1 3 5 9 4 7
G U I L T A L H
♣AQ 10 Killer Tough No 6770 24min 7 3 4 9 2 8 6 5 1 9 2
at trick two, declarer led and ♠8 6 3 ♠K 5 6 4 7 2 5 9 3 1 8 P A C R A V E
N 2 3 4
passed the ten of spades. ♥10 9 2 W E ♥K 8 7 6 3 8 1 3 6 7 4 5 9 2 K K X R
6 2
East won the king of spades and ♦10 3 S ♦A J 9 7 30 18 21 24 17 9 2 5 8 1 3 7 6 4 2 2 2
led the eight of hearts, declarer ♣J 9 5 4 3♠ 10 4 ♣K 7 3 9 8 5 4 2 1 7 6
S H R I E K H Y P E

ducking. West overtook with the ♥A J 5 4 4 7 1 3 9 6 8 2 5

nine and led his third heart, ♦K 5 4 2 10 16 12 5 6 2 7 8 1 4 3 9 Futoshiki 3518 Suko 2653 Word watch
declarer beating East’s six with the ♣8 6 2 5 2 3 4 1 Noyade (c)
jack (dummy having thrown a dia- Sudoku 10,977 ∨ ∨ Execution by
mond and a club). Declarer pro- S W N E drowning (as
12 8 14 4 5 > 2 1 3
1♥ 1 7 3 4 8 2 6 5 9 carried out by
ceeded to run all dummy’s spades, French
leaving this ending as the last Pass Pass Dbl(1) Pass(2) 8 4 2 6 5 9 7 3 1
3 1 5 2 4 revolutionaries)
spade was led. 1NT Pass 2♠ (3) Pass 5 9 6 7 3 1 8 4 2
∧ Noyau (b) A
♠ 7 (led) 2NT Pass 3NT End 2 6 5 8 9 7 3 1 4 French brandy
2 4 1 3 < 5
♥- (1) Too strong for a spade bid. 3 1 7 2 4 6 5 9 8
∨ ∧
liqueur flavoured
♦Q 8 (2) No longer any point in bidding out his 8 21 10 22
9 8 4 5 1 3 2 7 6
1 < 3 4 5 2
Brain Trainer with almond or
♣AQ shape (via 2♦). 4 2 9 3 6 5 1 8 7 Easy 44
peach stones
Noy (a) To hurt
♠- N ♠- (3) Doubling and bidding a suit shows a 7 5 8 1 2 4 9 6 3 Medium 51 or annoy
♥- W E ♥7 3 good hand. 6 3 1 9 7 8 4 2 5 KenKen 4743 Harder 1,020
♦10 3 S ♦A 8 20 11 6
♣J 9 5 ♠ - ♣K 7 Contract: 3NT, Opening Lead: ♥ 10 Killer 6767 Chess
♥- repeat finesse (which will take 22 12 10 12 1 6 5 3 7 2 8 4 9 1 Rf6! blocks the advance of the f-pawn
♦K 5 4 place as long as he ducked 4 3 7 8 9 1 2 6 5 in dramatic fashion and 1 ... Bxf6 2 e5
♣8 6 leads to mate. Black tried 1 ... Kg8 but
smoothly) and now, after winning 9 2 8 5 4 6 7 1 3
after 2 e5 h6 3 Ne2 he resigned. He is
What could East discard? A club the third heart, declarer cannot 21 17 3 9 6 2 1 7 5 8 4 losing the knight on d6, which cannot
would bare his king. The ace of reach dummy to run the spades 5 4 1 6 8 9 3 2 7 move or White continues Qf5 with
diamonds was clearly fatal. And (crossing to the ace of clubs ruins 8 7 2 4 5 3 1 9 6 mate on h7
throwing a winning heart would the ending). The game must fail. 8 15 6 1 9 7 3 8 4 5 2
enable declarer to force out the ace I must praise my England inter- 7 8 4 9 2 5 6 3 1
of diamonds, East now with only national friend Peter Crouch, sit- 2 5 3 1 6 4 9 7 8
one heart to cash. The best ting East at another table and Quiz
defence (as is so often in these defending 4♠ (declared by North). As with standard Sudoku, fill the grid so that every Killer 6768
type of situations) was for East to Realising his partner held next-to- 1 Ministry of Transport 2 Gothenburg or Göteborg
bare his king of clubs, and this he nothing, he found the brilliant
column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the 4 5 3 1 2 8 6 9 7
3 Holy Grail 4 Immac 5 In case you missed it
8 7 6 5 9 4 1 2 3
did. However, reading the position, defence of leading the ace and digits 1 to 9. Each set of cells joined by dotted lines 9 2 1 3 7 6 5 4 8 6 Nico 7 Felix the cat. It was made by Pat Sullivan
declarer cashed dummy’s ace another diamond, playing for a ruff. must add up to the target number in its top-left corner. 1 8 9 7 6 2 4 3 5 8 Cyclades 9 Lady Sarah Chatto aka Lady Sarah
(felling the king) and scored his When he won the king of spades, Within each set of cells joined by dotted lines, a digit 5 6 4 8 3 9 2 7 1 Armstrong-Jones 10 Negroni. Scarselli is also said to
ninth trick with the promoted he led a third diamond, duly ruffed 7 3 2 4 5 1 9 8 6 have added an orange garnish instead of lemon,
queen. by West. He had to come to the cannot be repeated. which is typical of the Americano 11 Jessie Buckley
2 1 8 6 4 3 7 5 9
East needed to duck the ten of king of clubs and that was one 6 4 7 9 8 5 3 1 2 12 Jackie Kay 13 Bottega Veneta 14 Staten Island
spades at trick two. He can win a down. andrew.robson@thetimes.co.uk 3 9 5 2 1 7 8 6 4 15 William Henry Fox Talbot. It is in Wiltshire
52 FGM Thursday September 12 2019 | the times

MindGames
times2 Crossword No 8068 Codeword No 3752 Train Tracks No 814

© PUZZLER MEDIA
1 2 3 4 5 6 21 24 10 9 15 25 14 12 10 13 21 3 3 4 4 3 2 7 6
7 8 12 4 4 12 21 4
N 2
8 20 12 19 7 14 13 5 3 9 26 26 17
Y 5
9
9 1 18 9 23 14 18
10
X A 7
8 19 14 14 11 14 15 25 9 4 14
11 12
21 10 3 3 1 3 7
13
19 14 8 21 9 10 10 9 22 14 10 17 7
14 15 16
17 21 8 13 8 4 2
17
9 6 11 12 19 5 12 19 14 4 12
18
1
9 16 24 19 5 18 13
19 1
3 19 21 21 10 14 6 9 4 14 4 5
20 B
21 19 17 2 21 19 17
21 Lay tracks to enable the train to travel from village A to
village B. The numbers indicate how many sections of rail
10 21 5 20 9 4 12 4 9 5 17 go in each row and column. There are only straight rails
Across 17 Stretch
h fo
forth
h (8)) and curved rails. The track cannot cross itself.
1 Port of Egypt (10) 18 Fish and shellfi
f sh (7)
fi
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
7 Colour (4) 19 Male dog owner (6) Win a Dictionary & Thesaurus
8 W nt by (6)
We 20 Right; genuine (4) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
21 Disappoint; disgruntle (10) N Fill the grid so
9 Fortifi
f cation (7)
fi that every
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
10 Furniture designer (8) column, every
11 Highly-valued thing (5) Down
Y X row and every
1 Apt (8) 3x2 box contains
1
13 Military fo
f rmation (7) Every letter in this crossword-style grid has been substituted for a number the digits 1 to 6
14 (Musical) study (5) 2 Church fef stiv
i al (6)
iv from 1 to 26. Each letter of the alphabet appears in the grid at least once. Use
3 State of temporary the letters already provided to work out the identity of further letters. Enter
Solution to Crossword 8067 letters in the main grid and the smaller reference grid until all 26 letters of the
suspension (8)
T RUM P ED UP T alphabet have been accounted for. Proper nouns are excluded.
R N I I H E A P 4 Large crow (5) Yesterday’s solution, right
C OMP R E S S I I 5 Belly (7)
U R C A L I PH 6 Arithmetical value (6) Cluelines Stuck on Codeword? To receive 4 random clues call 0901 293 6262 or
U P TO S I A E text TIMECODE to 84901. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company’s network
9 Unopened fl f ower (7) access charge. Texts cost £1 plus your standard network charge. For the full solution
E B L UE P EN C I L
11 Slowly cooked meat (3,5) call 0905 757 0142. Calls cost £1 per minute plus your telephone company’s
L S L T network access charge. SP: Spoke, 0333 202 3390 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5.30pm).
F RE E S P E E CH U 12 Lack of energy
Quintag(8)
ram®
A M E S R OP E 1 Morally improved (7)
13 Winners will receive a Collins English Dictionary & Thesaurus
S PRA I
I T
N
DEC
O
I P
S
HER
15 Hypothesis (6) Lexica No 4957 No 4958 Solve the puzzle and text in the numbers in the three
P ER I E A I T 16 Spiny succulent (6) shaded boxes. Text TIMES followed by a space, then your
R CA RA P AC E S 17 Seeps (5) S E I T Y F W P O I D three numbers, eg, TIMES 123, plus your name, address
and postcode to 84901 (UK only), by midnight. Or enter
A S by phone. Call 09012 925274 (ROI 1516 303 501)
Need help with today’s puzzle? Call 0905 757 0143 to check the by midnight. Leave your three answer numbers (in any
answers. Calls cost £1 per minute plus your telephone company’s H U I order) and your contact details.
network access charge. SP: Spoke, 0333 202 3390 (Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm).
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O S L O
network access charge. Texts cost £1 plus your standard
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E P T E correct answers received. One draw per week. Lines close at
Now try Quintagram A
E
A
E
A
E
C
F
C
F F
D D E
C I E
midnight tonight. If you call or text after this time you will not
be entered but will still be charged. SP: Spoke, 0333 202 3390
Every day in News
H H
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N N
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Solve more Quintagrams in P C N D N D E L U N E What are your favourite
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Slide the letters either horizontally or vertically back into the grid to produce
Enter QUINTA18 at timesbooks.co.uk for 30% off your order a completed crossword. Letters are allowed to slide over other letters Email: puzzles@thetimes.co.uk

KenKen Difficult No 4744 Futoshiki No 3519 Kakuro No 2478

<
Fill the grid using
the numbers 1 to 9
40 3 3 24 13 17 only. The numbers

∧ ∧ ∧
4 4 16 in each horizontal
17 16 17 or vertical run of
white squares add
>
18 32
up to the total in
31 the triangle to its
16 16 17 left or above it.
∧
© 2010 KENKEN PUZZLE & TM NEXTOY. DIST. BY UFS, INC. WWW.KENKEN.COM

6 21 29 7 The same number

may occur more
21 4 than once in a row
7 17 or column, but not
36 6 within the same
∨ ∨ 11 22
30 run of white
squares.

< 3 35
12

5 4
4 17 6

> 4 28
17 16 4
14
4
© PUZZLER MEDIA

All the digits 1 to 6 must appear in every row and column. In Fill the blank squares so that every row and column contains
each thick-line “block”, the target number in the top left- each of the numbers 1 to 5 once only. The symbols between 16 3 11
hand corner is calculated from the digits in all the cells in the the squares indicate whether a number is larger (>) or
block, using the operation indicated by the symbol. smaller (<) than the number next to it.
the times | Thursday September 12 2019 FGM 53

Sport
Somerset seize title initiative ALEX DAVIDSON/GETTY IMAGES
Lamb vigil hits
hopes of Essex
Somerset v Yorkshire Warwickshire v Essex
Taunton (second day of four): Edgbaston (second day of four): Essex,
Somerset, with five second-innings with nine first-innings wickets in hand,
wickets in hand, lead by 365 runs trail by 486 runs

Specsavers County Championship Neville Scott

Paul Edwards
The previous time that the leaders
Should Somerset win their first County Essex bowled in the championship they
Championship later this month, their dismissed Kent in 109 balls for 40.
supporters will look back on yesterday’s Warwickshire were less considerate. By
riches with particular fondness. While the time their final wicket fell to the
rivals Essex struggled to take Warwick- third new ball, they had devoured 175.5
shire’s wickets at Edgbaston Tom overs for 517, Matt Lamb completing
Abell’s bowlers encountered no such seven hours at the crease in his 173.
inconvenience at Taunton and their For a man who would probably not
batsmen had extended their 96-run have played but for injury and illness to
first-innings lead over Yorkshire to an two other batsmen it was a remarkable
undreamt-of 365 when bad light ended performance. Reaching the 80s for the
play seven overs early. first time, in his 15th first-class appear-
All this was a source of perfect satis- ance, the 23-year old continued to a
faction to Tractor who, if he is not hundred from 211 vigilantly rebuffed
his team’s most fervent supporter, is balls after his side had lost three men in
certainly their loudest. Sitting under four overs, slumping to 297 for six.
the scoreboard at the Pavilion End, Lamb was “caught” off a Ravi Bopara
he greeted each of Somerset’s no-ball when 104 and, straight after
six wickets with a roar of lunch, walked when 110, thinking that
triumph.The first break-
through to receive his
bellicose acclamation
was made by Lewis Balls Somerset captain
328 Patterson was bowled by Van der Merwe for eight as Yorkshire collapsed from 86 for three to 103 all out
Alastair Cook had held a diving catch at
slip. In fact, the ball spilt as Cook fell
and Simon Harmer threw down the
stumps with Lamb out of his ground.
Gregory, who moved Abell has faced in the and Tim Bresnan and lunch, Abell and Hildreth put on 117 for Maharaj. Even though the slow The umpires, though, rescinded the
the ball just enough to match, scoring 128 runs. once it became clear the third wicket with increasing ease. left-armer had Banton caught at slip decision under the law change that says
take the edge of Tom Yorkshire batsmen faced that illness would pre- Hildreth made a polished 58 and three balls later, it was suddenly odd to a batsman who departs under a misap-
Kohler-Cadmore’s bat only 203 balls between vent Ben Coad from bat- became the first of five Somerset bats- remember that this was the bowler prehension cannot be run out.
and Jamie Overton them in their first ting, Yorkshire’s collapse men to hit sixes when he drove Keshav who had caused Somerset’s batsmen Henry Brookes was legitimately run
pouched the slip catch. innings from 86 for three to 103 all out Maharaj into the sightscreen at the so much trouble on every previous out for 46 and Bopara finally dismissed
Three wickets fell to the slow in 44 balls and little more than River End. occasion. Lamb when he pulled to mid-wicket.
left-armer Roelof van der Merwe, who half an hour’s cricket was confirmed. The game scampered ahead even as Somerset were 269 for five when the The pain was not over. Jeetan Patel
induced Steve Patterson to play on and Presented with an opportunity to Warwickshire’s tailenders dug in else- umpires ruled the light was too poor belted an unbeaten 51 as the last pair
then almost immediately had Jonny dominate the game, Somerset seized where. Abell batted with poise and for cricket but any discontent at added 46 and, if Harmer finished with
Tattersall caught at second slip by their chance in the manner of good sense to make 62, his second fifty Taunton was assuaged by the news that six for 143, his side were left forlorn
James Hildreth. champions. Although Murali Vijay and of the match, while Tom Banton’s 48- Warwickshire’s first innings was still in when Cook edged Patel to slip five
Josh Davey dismissed Harry Brook Steve Davies were dismissed before ball 43 included a reverse-swept six off progress. minutes from the close.

Results and scoreboards

Football *J M Vince c Clarke b Virdi

EFL Trophy Rochdale 0 Manchester City U21 2.
FA Cup qualifying: First-round replays
Sunderland Ryhope 0 Dunston 5; Biggleswade
Town 2 St Neots Town 0; Lewes 2 Leatherhead 2
(Extra-time being played); Northwich Victoria 1
Lancaster City 2.
Women’s Champions League: Round of 32
Chertanovo 0 Glasgow City 1; Hibs 1 Slavia
Prague 4; Ryazan 0 Lyons 9; Minsk 1 Zürich 0; Mit-
rovica 0 Wolfsburg 10; Vllaznia 0 Fortuna Hjorring
1; Gothenburg 1 Bayern Munich 2; Pitea 0 Brondby
1; St Polten 2 Twente 4; Juventus 0 Barcelona 2.
Cricket
Specsavers County Championship
Division One
Warwickshire v Essex
Edgbaston (second day of four): Essex, with nine
first-innings wickets in hand, are 485 runs behind
Warwickshire
Warwickshire: First Innings (overnight 269-3)
S R Hain c Lawrence b Porter
M J Lamb c Harmer b Bopara
†M G K Burgess c Harmer b Porter
E A Brookes c Bopara b Harmer
H J H Brookes run out
*J S Patel not out
O J Hannon-Dalby lbw b Harmer
G A Garrett st Wheater b Harmer
Extras (b 8, lb 20, nb 18)
Total (175.5 overs)
Fall of wickets 1-87, 2-91, 3-140, 4-290, 5-296,
6-297, 7-402, 8-468, 9-471.
Bowling Porter 35-8-105-2; Cook 31-8-82-0;
Harmer 59.5-15-143-6; Beard 22-1-84-0; Bopara
19-6-53-1; Westley 1-0-4-0; Ten Doeschate 3-0-
7-0; Lawrence 5-0-11-0.
Essex: First Innings
N L J Browne not out
A N Cook c Sibley b Patel
S Cook not out
Extras (lb 4nb 4)
Total (1 wkt, 14 overs)
T Westley, D W Lawrence, R S Bopara, *R N Ten
Doeschate, †A J A Wheater, S R Harmer, A P
Beard and J A Porter to bat.
Fall of wicket 1-31.
Bowling Hannon-Dalby 7-3-8-0; Garrett 3-0-
18-0; Patel 4-3-1-1.
Umpires N G B Cook and D J Millns.
Hampshire v Surrey
Ageas Bowl (second day of four): Hampshire,
with four second-innings wickets in hand, are
283 runs behind Surrey
Hampshire: First Innings 149 (R Clarke 5 for 21)
Second Innings
F S Organ c Clarke b McKerr
I G Holland b Morkel
T P Alsop c Foakes b Clark
S A Northeast c Clarke b Clark
L A Dawson not out
91
39
Kent: First Innings 304 (D I Stevens 88, H G Kuhn
56; R Ashwin 4 for 121)
M G Hogan c Milton b Morris
Extras (lb 6nb 2)
15
8
Second Innings
N R T Gubbins not out 8
Bowling Wright 20-3-70-1; Evans 19-3-65-3;
Davis 16-3-63-2; Dexter 9-1-32-0; Parkinson
A H T Donald b Virdi 8 Second Innings Total (65.5 overs) 193 S D Robson not out 9 15-2-66-0; Ackermann 5-2-16-1.
†L D McManus not out 14 Z Crawley b Fletcher 82 Fall of wickets 1-19, 2-31, 3-56, 4-64, 5-75, 6-98, Extras (lb 4) 4 Umpires B V Taylor and P R Pollard.
Extras (lb 2, w 1, nb 4) 7 D J Bell-Drummond c Coughlin b Fletcher 8 7-120, 8-137, 9-176. Total (no wkt, 5 overs) 21
Total (6 wkts, 59 overs) 296 J M Cox retired hurt 13 Bowling Leach 15-2-37-1; Morris 17.5-3-73-5; Bowling Rushworth 3-1-16-0; Raine 2-1-1-0. Cycling
Fall of wickets 1-5, 2-39, 3-84, 4-213, 5-257, 6-272. *S W Billings c and b Patterson-White 100 Finch 14-3-42-1; Barnard 12-9-7-1; Ali 7-1-28-2. Umpires R J Warren and R A Kettleborough.
Bowling Morkel 13-4-53-1; McKerr 12-1-60-1; H G Kuhn c Moores b Fletcher 5 Umpires N L Bainton and J W Lloyds. Vuelta a España
Clark 14-0-61-2; Clarke 7-1-49-0; Virdi 13-1-71-2. †O G Robinson lbw b Ashwin 8 Gloucestershire v Sussex Stage 17 (Aranda del Duero to Guadalajara,
Surrey: First Innings (overnight 143-7) D I Stevens lbw b Ashwin 0 Lancashire v Derbyshire Bristol (second day of four): Sussex, with three
219.6km): 1, P Gilbert (Bel, Deceuninck-
R Clarke lbw b Abbott 40 M K O’Riordan b Patterson-White 9 Emirates Old Trafford (second day of four): QuickStep 4hr 20min 15sec; 2, S Bennett (Ire,
O P Rayner b Ashwin 0 second-innings wickets in hand, are 113 runs Bora-Hansgrohe) 2sec behind; 3, R Cavagna (Fr,
J Clark not out 13 Lancashire, with eight first-innings wickets in ahead of Gloucestershire
M Morkel run out 0 H W Podmore not out 4 hand, are 25 runs ahead of Derbyshire Deceuninck-QuickStep) both same time. Leading
Extras (lb 1nb 6) 7 Gloucestershire: First Innings 200 (J R Bracey 61) overall positions 1, P Roglic (Slovenia, Team
A Virdi b Barker 0 Derbyshire: First Innings 244 (B A Godleman 111; Sussex: First Innings
Extras (b 1, lb 7) 8 Total (8 wkts, 51.3 overs) 236 Jumbo-Visma) 66hr 43min 36sec; 2, N Quintana
R J Gleeson 5 for 64) P D Salt c Bracey b Payne 64 (Col, Movistar) 2:24sec behind; 3, A Valverde
Total (52 overs) 162 Fall of wickets 1-25, 2-165, 3-175, 4-186, 5-186, Lancashire: First Innings (overnight 20-1)
6-227, 7-228, 8-236. L W P Wells c Bracey b Payne 42 (Sp, Movistar) 2:48.
Fall of wickets 1-9, 2-15, 3-37, 4-43, 5-61, 6-133, K K Jennings b Qadri 38 T J Haines c Bracey b Smith 22
7-143, 8-158, 9-161. Bowling Fletcher 14-5-40-3; Ball 8-0-49-0; J J Bohannon not out 150 OVO Energy Tour of Britain
Coughlin 8-1-44-0; Ashwin 16-1-71-3; Patter- S van Zyl lbw b M D Taylor 28
Bowling Abbott 17-5-31-3; Edwards 7-0-45-1; L S Livingstone not out 70 Stage five (around Birkenhead, 174.1km):
son-White 5.3-0-31-2. Extras (b 4, lb 3) 7
D M W Rawlins c Roderick b Payne 10
1, D Groenewegen (Neth, Jumbo-Visma) 3hr
Barker 16-5-38-4; Holland 6-0-27-1; Dawson *†B C Brown c Hammond b Charlesworth 24
6-0-13-0. Nottinghamshire: First Innings (overnight 35-2) Total (2 wkts, 79 overs) 269 D Wiese not out 40 57min 31sec; 2, M Walls (GB, Great Britain
Umpires I J Gould and M Burns. B T Slater c Robinson b Podmore 20 R P Jones, *†D J Vilas, G J Maxwell, T E Bailey, S Cycling Team); 3, M Trentin (It, Mitchelton-
L J Fletcher c Crawley b Milnes 17 C J Jordan c Roderick b Charlesworth 6
Mahmood, R J Gleeson and M W Parkinson to bat. W A T Beer not out 28 Scott) both same time. Leading overall positions
Somerset v Yorkshire B M Duckett c and b Podmore 8 Fall of wickets 1-12, 2-75. Extras (b 7, lb 4, nb 38) 49
1, Trentin 21hr 33min 55sec; 2, M van der Poel
Taunton (second day of four): Somerset, with *S J Mullaney lbw b Stevens 22 Bowling Reece 19-6-45-0; Rampaul 16-6-41-1; (Neth, Corendon-Circus) 3sec behind; 3, J de
82 five second-innings wickets in hand, are 365 runs L Patterson-White c Rayner b Stevens 11 Total (7 wkts, 89 overs) 313 Buyst (Bel, Lotto Soudal) 10.
R Ashwin lbw b Podmore 7 Qadri 13-1-52-1; Critchley 12-0-51-0; Hudson-
173 ahead of Yorkshire Prentice 11-0-47-0; Dal 3-0-15-0; Du Plooy G H S Garton and O E Robinson to bat.
5 Somerset: First Innings 199 (T B Abell 66; †T J Moores lbw b Stevens
P Coughlin c Podmore b Stevens
1
8 5-1-11-0. Fall of wickets 1-100, 2-151, 3-161, 4-177, 5-221,
6-259, 7-267.
Snooker
0 K A Maharaj 5 for 54) Umpires I D Blackwell and J H Evans.
46 Second Innings J T Ball not out 4 Bowling Payne 27-9-58-3; Gabriel 16-0-94-0; Shanghai Masters
51 M Vijay lbw b Maharaj 0 Extras (b 4, lb 4, nb 6) 14 Middlesex v Durham Higgins 21-6-62-0; M D Taylor 11-1-38-1; Smith China: Round of 16 M Allen (N Ire) bt Liang
1 †S M Davies c sub b Patterson 4 Total (53.1 overs) 124 Lord’s (second day of four): Middlesex, with all 8-2-23-1; Charlesworth 6-0-27-2. Wenbo (China) 6-5; N Robertson (Aus) bt Ding
24 *T B Abell lbw b Bresnan 62 Fall of wickets 1-5, 2-26, 3-41, 4-53, 5-77, 6-104, second-innings wickets in hand, need 175 runs to Umpires S J O’Shaughnessy and B J Debenham. Junhui (China) 6-3; B Hawkins (Eng) bt
46 J C Hildreth c Brook b Lyth 58 7-111, 8-111, 9-117. beat Durham J Higgins (Scot) 6-5; J Trump (Eng) bt D Gilbert
517 T Banton c Lyth b Maharaj 43 Bowling Podmore 17-5-27-3; Stevens 17.1-7- Durham: First Innings 147 (P S P Handscomb 54; Leicestershire v Northamptonshire (Eng) 6-4.
G A Bartlett not out 39 39-5; Milnes 8-1-30-2; Rayner 8-3-10-0; S T Finn 4 for 41) Leicester (second day of four): Northampton-
L Gregory not out 38 O’Riordan 3-0-10-0. Second Innings shire, with three first-innings wickets in hand,
Extras (b 16, lb 3, nb 6) 25 Umpires P J Hartley and G D Lloyd. A Z Lees run out 13
Total (5 wkts, 68 overs) 269 C T Steel c Simpson b Cummins 39
are 17 runs ahead of Leicestershire Fixtures
Leicestershire: First Innings (overnight 276-8)
Fall of wickets 1-4, 2-4, 3-121, 4-191, 5-191. Worcestershire v Glamorgan A J Robson c Holden b Finn 64 G H Rhodes not out 61
Bowling Maharaj 28-8-90-2; Patterson 12-1- Worcester (second day of four): Worcestershire, P S P Handscomb lbw b Harris 3
52-1; Olivier 8-1-47-0; Lyth 9-0-25-1; Bresnan with eight second-innings wickets in hand, are G J Harte lbw b Finn 0
W S Davis run out
H A Evans lbw b Hutton
20
0
Cricket
16 11-2-36-1. 165 runs ahead of Glamorgan S Steel c Cummins b Murtagh 39
*†E J H Eckersley lbw b Harris 2 Extras (b 8, lb 4, w 1, nb 4) 17 Fifth Test: Kia Oval: First day of five (11.0):
7 Yorkshire: First Innings (overnight 269-5) Worcestershire: First Innings 205 (M G Hogan 4
0 B A Raine c Malan b Scott 11 Total (105.3 overs) 308 England v Australia.
T Kohler-Cadmore c Overton b Gregory 14 for 53) Fall of wickets 1-4, 2-28, 3-150, 4-183, 5-183,
8 *S A Patterson b Van der Merwe 8 Second Innings B A Carse lbw b Harris 0 Specsavers County Championship: Third day of
31 H C Brook lbw b Davey 6 D K H Mitchell not out 52 N J Rimmington lbw b Finn 6 6-224, 7-246, 8-275, 9-302. four (11.0): Division One: Ageas Bowl
†J A Tattersall c Hildreth b Van der Merwe 0 H D Rutherford c Brathwaite b Smith 52 C Rushworth not out 0 Bowling Sanderson 24-6-70-1; Hutton 24.3-8- Hampshire v Surrey. Trent Bridge Nottingham-
Extras (lb 6nb 8) 14 62-3; Bracewell 15-2-64-0; Berg 18-8-43-2;
T T Bresnan c Vijay b Davey 4 M M Ali c Hogan b Patel 26 shire v Kent. Taunton Somerset v Yorkshire.
K A Maharaj c and b Van der Merwe 4 J A Haynes not out 22 Total (69.5 overs) 191 Procter 22-7-54-3; Keogh 2-0-3-0. Edgbaston Warwickshire v Essex. Division
Northamptonshire: First Innings
D Olivier not out 0 Extras (lb 1) 1 Fall of wickets 1-51, 2-66, 3-79, 4-80, 5-127, Two: Bristol Gloucestershire v Sussex. Emir-
B O Coad 0 6-141, 7-160, 8-161, 9-182. B J Curran c Swindells b Davis 27 ates Old Trafford Lancashire v Derbyshire.
Total (2 wkts, 52 overs) 153 R I Newton b Evans 17
Extras (lb 1nb 4) 5 Bowling Murtagh 20-10-38-1; Cummins 19-8- Leicester Leicestershire v Northamptonshire.
Fall of wickets 1-70, 2-107. 50-1; Finn 12.5-3-49-3; Harris 15-3-43-3; Scott A G Wakely c Swindells b Evans 37
Total (33.3 overs) 103 Bowling Hogan 11-2-33-0; Carey 10-3-31-0; Lord’s Middlesex v Durham. Worcester
3-0-5-1. R I Keogh c Rhodes b Davis 132 Worcestershire v Glamorgan.
Fall of wickets 1-27, 2-27, 3-70, 4-86, 5-88, 6-92, Smith 8-0-36-1; Van der Gugten 7-1-26-0; Patel R E Levi b Wright 19
7-98, 8-99, 9-103. 16-5-26-1.
Middlesex: First Innings (overnight 87-7)
J A R Harris b Raine 14 *†A M Rossington c Wright b Evans 63
Bowling Gregory 10-0-36-2; Davey 6-2-30-3; Glamorgan: First Innings (overnight 44-2) M L Cummins not out 22 L A Procter b Ackermann 2 Cycling
Overton 3-1-9-0; Bess 6-2-13-1; Van der Merwe K C Brathwaite c Cox b Morris 19 S T Finn b Raine 11 D A J Bracewell not out 7
8.3-4-14-3. D L Lloyd c and b Ali 35 Tour of Britain Sixth stage, around Pershore
T J Murtagh c S Steel b Rushworth 14 G K Berg not out 4 14.4km.
Umpires M J Saggers and M A Gough. W T Root c Barnard b Morris 8 Extras (b 4, lb 9, w 2, nb 2) 17
S R Patel c Milton b Finch 5 Total (43.4 overs) 143
54 Nottinghamshire v Kent *†C B Cooke c Wessels b Leach 24 Fall of wickets 1-0, 2-43, 3-51, 4-59, 5-77, 6-77, Total (7 wkts, 84 overs) 325 Rugby league
4 Trent Bridge (second day of four): Kent, with two R A J Smith b Morris 18 7-86, 8-97, 9-121. B A Hutton and B W Sanderson to bat.
6 second-innings wickets in hand, are 416 runs T van der Gugten not out 29 Bowling Rushworth 14.4-4-46-3; Carse 9-3-37-1; Fall of wickets 1-42, 2-63, 3-118, 4-156, 5-304, Betfred Super League Wigan v Castleford
73 ahead of Nottinghamshire L J Carey c Milton b Ali 16 Rimmington 8-1-34-1; Raine 12-5-26-5. 6-309, 7-314. (7.45).
54 FGM Thursday September 12 2019 | the times

Sport Rugby union

DAVID ROGERS/GETTY IMAGES

England Brown: I am
stars in still the best
costume
drama full back in
the country
S
teve Borthwick
told pupils, in
a short speech Owen Slot Chief Rugby Correspondent
in Japanese
yesterday, that Mike Brown says that he is the best full
England will be back in the country despite being left
vying to win the out of the England World Cup squad
World Cup for and that his age counted against him in
Queen and country selection for the national side.
(Alex Lowe writes Danny Cipriani, another player who
in Miyazaki). did not make it into Eddie Jones’s
The England 31-man squad, says that the head coach
forwards coach was so set on going to Japan with Owen
thinks the game in Farrell and George Ford as his No 10s
England would that “I would have had to turn water
change for ever into wine to really sway him”.
with a tournament Brown, 34, however, is the one who
victory. “We have feels most hard done by. He was the
an opportunity to first-choice England No 15 from the
inspire,” he said. beginning of the Jones years, in 2016, to
Borthwick and the start of the 2018 Six Nations Cham-
his players were pionship, but he has not been capped
greeted excitedly at since last summer in South Africa.
Miyazaki High “I still feel I’m the best English full
School and the back,” Brown said. “That’s not being
England backs arrogant; that’s just what I believe.”
Manu Tuilagi, left, He is convinced that one area of
and Anthony weakness with England, when Elliot
Watson, right , Daly is playing at No 15, is his own
donned kyudos, the strength. “Look at the stats, I am the
Japanese archery best under the high ball,” he said. “I’ve
garment. made it one of my points of difference
and that’s what I hang my hat on.”
Brown says that he would never shut
the door on England but he is con-

‘It keeps me awake. I could be

vinced that his age is working unfairly
against him. “If you’re at the top of your
game, why shouldn’t you be playing?”
He was included in England’s

Brown will wait to

there winning a World Cup’ break his silence

on the Te’o incident

Dylan Hartley blames Why artificial surfaces are controversial
synthetic pitches for the Who plays on an
injury that brought an artificial pitch?
In the Gallagher
end to his Japan hopes, Premiership, Worcester
Warriors’ Sixways and
he tells John Westerby Saracens’ Allianz Park
are artificial surfaces —
conversation with Eddie [Jones] and
the staff at Northampton and we
summer pre-World Cup training group
and it seemed that he might fight his
made of a layer of studs are more likely to
agreed a long-term approach is best.
Around the start of the camps, I tried
way into the squad. However, he
dropped out of the group at the same
plastic grass, covering a be caught in an artificial getting back for that and basically put time that he had an altercation on a
base of rubber crumbs surface, which can myself in a bit of a hole. When the night out, with Ben Te’o, the New
and sand. contribute towards squad was announced, it was almost Zealand-born centre, who was also
serious injury. Jack like I died, friends getting in touch dropped. Brown believes he was the
What are the Willis, of Wasps, and and seeing if I was OK.” innocent party but he is still holding his
complaints? Jonathan Joseph, the Having missed the 2015 World Cup fire on what happened. He will break

A
s a hard-nosed hooker,
Dylan Hartley never
seemed the type to believe
in fairytales, but the fact
that he will be denied a
storybook ending to his England
career still stings.
The knee injury that he suffered
playing on an artificial pitch nine
months ago is still giving him grief,
but the 33-year-old who led England
to Six Nations titles in 2016 and 2017
is also dealing with the likelihood that
he is unlikely to add to his 97 caps.
The pain of missing out on the
World Cup is compounded by the
frustration that the Northampton
Saints hooker suffered the injury
against Worcester Warriors at
Sixways on the sort of
artificial surface he feels is
not suitable for the
professional game.
“I don’t agree with
artificial pitches,”
Hartley said. “If
there’s a platform to
show my support for
getting rid of artificial
pitches, it’s here.You’ve got
pitch covers, indoor
stadiums, employ more
groundsmen. They’re great
Hartley is still experiencing
pain from his injured knee
as is Kingston Park, The RFU’s injury report England centre, suffered through suspension, the pain was all his silence when the World Cup is over.
home of Newcastle suggests that injuries long-term injuries in this the greater from knowing that Japan “With the guys preparing for a World
Falcons, who were sustained on artificial fashion at Allianz Park. was likely to be his final chance to Cup, it wouldn’t be right for me to start
relegated last season. pitches tend to be of a Jack Nowell, the play Test rugby. “It would have been talking about what went on during the
greater severity than on England and Exeter the ultimate send-off,” he said. “For pre-season,” he said. “But the World
What are they made of? grass. Beyond the skin wing, tends to be rested four years we talked about winning Cup won’t last for ever so there will be a
Third generation burns that can be when his club play away the World Cup and I have led that time when the time is right to speak
artificial pitches are caused, it is felt that on an artificial pitch. group, so to fall at the final hurdle . . . I about my experience.”
wake up most nights thinking about He says that he does not know
it. It doesn’t sit well with me. The whether the Te’o incident had any
for the community, but I’m talking bigger, heavier forwards. “The RPA worst thing is to think if my leg wasn’t influence on his omission. “We’re not in
about our [professional] game, it’s not did a survey, about 50 per cent of the f***ed, I could be there with them, Eddie’s head,” he said. “But I have no
suited.” league don’t mind them, about 50 per winning a World Cup. Not everyone regrets about anything that happened
Three out of 12 clubs in the cent do, those are compelling can have the fairytale ending.” in pre-season because I gave my all. I’m
Premiership last season played on numbers,” he said. “I’d suggest that 6 Dove Men+Care is an official not sure how many players could say
artificial surfaces, but concern has half the league are forwards, the other partner to England Rugby, follow that.
been growing over their impact on half are backs.” @DovemenUK Twitter “I didn’t get selected for England all
players’ bodies. The RFU’s annual The injury caused Hartley to miss season so I had to show how much I
injury audit last season found the Six Nations and he was ruled out wanted to play for England and how
that the severity of injuries of World Cup contention after much I was improving for Harlequins. I
suffered on artificial turf
was eight days greater,
pushing himself too hard to recover in
time for England’s pre-tournament Your 64-page guide think I did that pretty well. Plenty of
players would have folded.”
in terms of average
recovery time, than
training camps. Hartley does not
want to set a date for his return, with to the World Cup Cipriani, having started in the
England training squad, appears more
those suffered on the start of the Premiership season at peace with his omission. “I never
grass pitches. The delayed to next month, and has spent The finest went into it with any expectation,” the
Rugby Players’ time this summer in Philadelphia writing, the Gloucester fly half, 31, said. “Eddie has
Association (RPA) has with Bill Knowles, the renowned knee backed Ford and Farrell for so long and
called for no more new specialist. best analysis: they have brought him success. I was on
pitches to be installed until “I’m returning to run, building my everything the back foot.”
after further research. tolerance,” he said. “I tried a very you need to Cipriani and Brown were talking
Many players feel their aggressive approach because I was know about yesterday at the launch of the
studs can be caught in the given some deadlines and I ended up Japan 2019 Gallagher Premiership, which will kick
surface, while Hartley feels in a worse position. I can understand off next month when England are likely
that opposition to the why there were deadlines, the team in Saturday’s to still be in Japan. Both are on Jones’s
pitches is stronger among needed to prepare. I had a frank paper stand-by list.
the times | Thursday September 12 2019 FGM 55

Racing Sport
Doncaster 3.15 Weatherbys Racing Bank
£300,000 2-Y-O Stakes
ITV 4.20 Silk Series Ladies' Handicap (£12,938: 6f) (17) Rob Wright’s tipping
1 (10) 032106 POYLE VINNIE 16 (D) Mrs R Carr 9-10-7 Miss E Bullock (7) 80
Rob Wright (2-Y-O: £147,540: 6f 111yd) (22) 2 (3) 040020 SAVALAS 47 (V) K Ryan 4-10-6 Josephine Gordon 71
1 (21) 210 BYLINE 20 K Ryan 9-2 T Eaves 81 3 (6) 110602 TOMILY 6 (P,C,D) D O'Meara 5-10-4 Jane Elliott (3) 78
2.10 Graceful Magic 4.20 Saluti 2.10 Doncaster Graceful Magic can
2 (15) 2232 ELECTRICAL STORM 19 (BF) S bin Suroor 9-2 D Tudhope 87 4 (12) 112 DRUMMOND WARRIOR 20 (D) Mrs P Sly 3-10-3 Hollie Doyle 86
2.40 Dame Malliot (nb) 4.55 Good Birthday
3.15 Glasvegas 5.30 The Great Heir 3 (16) 223 GREAT AMBASSADOR 40 R Beckett 9-2 H Bentley 90 5 (15) 032006 NORMANDY BARRIERE 6 (P,CD) N Tinkler 7-10-2 F McManoman (5) v99 atone for an unlucky half-length defeat
3.45 Powerful Breeze (nap) 4 (9) 353122 HARPOCRATES 22 (B) A P O'Brien (Ire) 9-2 R L Moore v106 6 (16) 3066-6 TANGLED 19 (D) Mrs K Tutty 4-10-2 Gemma Tutty (3) 84 at Goodwood last week. This filly
5 (11) 226505 KING NEPTUNE 27 A P O'Brien (Ire) 9-2 W M Lordan 97 7 (8) 602142 HART STOPPER 27 (T,D) S C Williams 5-10-1 Megan Nicholls (3) 85
Thunderer: 2.10 Stylistique. 3.15 Harpocretes (nap). travelled strongly there but had
6 (2) 1166 PISTOLETTO 20 A P O'Brien (Ire) 9-2 J A Heffernan 91 8 (11) 434314 ATHOLLBLAIR BOY 57 (C,D) N Tinkler 6-10-0 Izzy Clifton (7) 85
Going: good to firm Draw: no advantage Sky Sports Racing 9 (14) 044434 THE ARMED MAN 13 (D) C Fairhurst 6-9-13 Paula Muir (5) 78 nowhere to go when the winner,
7 (3) 143 REPARTEE 20 K Ryan 9-2 A Atzeni 99
2.10 British Stallion Studs EBF 'Carrie Red' ITV 8 (22) 32 SOARING STAR 27 (BF) K Ryan 9-2 K Stott 79 10 (9) 362100 OUR LITTLE PONY 5 L Mullaney 4-9-11 Poppy Bridgwater (5) 82 Caspian Queen, struck for home. She
Fillies' Nursery (2-Y-O: £31,505: 6f 111yd) (15 runners) 9 (17) 0341 ZIGGLE POPS 11 (D) R Hannon 9-2 S M Levey 80 11 (1) 006523 SALUTI 13 P Midgley 5-9-10 Georgia Cox (3) 84
12 (13) 2-2231 LUCKY LOUIE 42 (P) R Teal 6-9-10 Ellie Mackenzie (7) 79
stayed on strongly once in the clear,
1 324 STYLISTIQUE 19 R Varian 9-9 David Egan 10 (6) 42 MANIGORDO 61 R Hannon 9-0 P Dobbs 80
(7) v93
11 (20) 231541 INDIAN CREAK 20 (D) M Channon 8-12 W Buick 89 13 (17) 153030 TOMMY G 26 (D) J Goldie 6-9-9 Miss Shannon Watts (7) 60 though, and this slightly longer trip
2 (11) 103 ULTRA VIOLET 16 E Vaughan 9-4 O Murphy 76
3 (6) 122401 INSANIA 21 K Burke 8-12 C Lee 86 12 (18) 4215 NATIONAL LEAGUE 21 R Fahey 8-12 P Hanagan 79 14 (2) 000600 VON BLUCHER 40 (P,C) Rebecca Menzies 6-9-8 Miss J Bedi (7) 81 should be in her favour.
13 (10) 312 UNFORGETABLE 49 J P O'Brien (Ire) 8-11 L Dettori 99 15 (5) 326210 MUJASSAM 16 (B,D) Mrs S Leech 7-9-7 Miss Becky Smith (5) 62
4 (14) 41424 ROSADORA 40 (BF) R Beckett 8-11 H Bentley 84
14 (13) 015 D DAY 22 (BF,D) R Hannon 8-9 T Marquand 81 16 (4) 640035 NICK VEDDER 23 (B,C,D) R Brisland 5-9-3 Rhona Pindar (7) 69
5 (10) 104102 GRACEFUL MAGIC 9 E J-Houghton 8-11 C Bishop 89
2 KING'S LYNN 19 A Balding 8-9 O Murphy 80 17 (7) 306260 LUCKY BEGGAR 5 (D) D C Griffiths 9-9-2 Rachel Richardson 67 2.40 Doncaster This can go to the
6 (8) 012 COMPANY MINX 31 C Cox 8-9 H Crouch 77 15 (1)
7 (12) 103 SPECIAL SECRET 31 (BF) E J-Houghton 8-8 R L Moore 76 16 (7) 10302 RAYONG 21 K Burke 8-9 Ben Curtis 94 5-1 Drummond Warrior, 6-1 Hart Stopper, 7-1 Tomily, 8-1 Saluti, 10-1 The Armed Man, 12-1 Athollblair progressive Dame Malliot. She has
17 (8) 33543 SWINLEY FOREST 12 (P) B Meehan 8-9 J Hart 78 Boy, Normandy Barriere, 14-1 Poyle Vinnie, Savalas, 16-1 Lucky Louise, Tangled, Tommy G, 20-1 others. improved markedly since stepped up in
8 (3) 211 NIRODHA 19 (D) Miss Amy Murphy 8-8 S P Davis (3) 79
18 (12) 5123 TORO STRIKE 42 R Fahey 8-9 T Hamilton 96 Wright choice: Saluti drops in distance after travelling well for a long way when
9 (9) 32116 KEEP BUSY 17 J J Quinn 8-7 J Hart 80
a good third at Thirsk last time Dangers: Drummond Warrior, Tomily
trip, taking a listed race at Newmarket
10 (13) 4041 GALADRIEL 28 K Ryan 8-7 A Atzeni 78 19 (5) 31141 WAR STORM 18 (P) Archie Watson 8-9 Hollie Doyle 90
351 RED TREBLE 16 (H,D) Rebecca Menzies 8-6 C Hardie 77 20 (14) 24203 WHEN COMES HERE 21 (B,BF) A Balding 8-9 F Norton 84
before winning in this grade at Deauville.
11 (15)
12 (2) 0320 BARBARELLA 21 K Ryan 8-5 S Gray 74 21 (4) 213 GLASVEGAS 85 K Dalgleish 8-6 David Egan 94 4.55 Magners Rose Handicap (£15,562: 1m 2f) (8) This still stiffer test should suit.
13 (1) 06000 TOO SHY SHY 21 (P) Richard Spencer 8-5 M Dwyer 67 22 (19) 52 SKONTONOVSKI 20 (BF) Richard Spencer 8-6 M Dwyer 90 1 (6) 4-3010 DESERT WIND 62 (D) E Vaughan 4-9-13 S Donohoe 79
14 (4) 642542 INCOGNITO 14 (BF) M Channon 8-3 Hollie Doyle 82 11-2 Harpocrates, 6-1 Glasvegas, 7-1 Repartee, 8-1 Unforgetable, 10-1 Great Ambassador, Pistoletto, 12-1 2 (4) 212114 NICHOLAS T 33 (C,D) J Goldie 7-9-11 B Robinson 90 3.15 Doncaster A competitive field for
15 (5) 20025 TASTE THE NECTAR 12 (P) R Cowell 8-0 Jane Elliott (3) 74 Rayong, 14-1 Manigordo, Toro Strike, Electrical Storm, 16-1 others. 3 (7) 4-0040 FIRST SITTING 44 (D) C Wall 8-9-10 James Doyle 90
5-1 Graceful Magic, 6-1 Stylistique, 7-1 Galadriel, Company Minx, 8-1 Special Secret, 10-1 Rosadora, 12-1 4 (2) 210000 WAARIF 21 (D) D O'Meara 6-9-10 D Tudhope 88
this valuable juvenile contest but
Wright choice: Glasvegas has shown surprising speed in three runs over five
Ultra Violet, Insania, 14-1 Incognito, 16-1 Keep Busy, 20-1 others. furlongs and is bred to relish this trip Dangers: Harpocretes, Repartee 5 (1) 0-1101 DAVYDENKO 33 Sir M Stoute 3-9-7 R L Moore 90 Glasvegas should not be far away. He
Rob Wright’s choice: Graceful Magic finished fast after being hampered when 6 (3) -13051 GOOD BIRTHDAY 12 (CD) A Balding 3-9-7 O Murphy v101 was outpaced when third over five
second at Goodwood and can go one better Dangers: Stylistique, Rosadora 7 (8) 640104 CERTAIN LAD 18 M Channon 3-9-7 Ben Curtis 94
furlongs at Royal Ascot before staying
3.45 William Hill May Hill Stakes ITV 8 (5) 525044 LEROY LEROY 14 (P,C) R Hannon 3-8-13 Hollie Doyle 93
2.40 DFS Park Hill Stakes ITV (Group II: 2-Y-O fillies: £39,697: 1m) (9) 6-4 Davydenko, 5-2 Good Birthday, , 8-1 Desert Wind, 10-1 Nicholas T, 14-1 Certain Lad, 16-1 others. on powerfully late on and is bred for
(Group II: Fillies and mares: £56,710: 1m 6f 115yd) (8) 1 (9) 21 ALPEN ROSE 26 (CD) C Appleby 9-0 W Buick 92 Wright choice: Good Birthday had something in reserve when winning at this longer distance.
1 (8) 4-1211 ENBIHAAR 40 J Gosden 4-9-8 J Crowley 105 2 (4) 315 ANANYA 33 P Chapple-Hyam 9-0 B Doyle 90 Beverley and is just 3lb higher in the weights Dangers: Davydenko, Leroy Leroy
2 (4) 1-211 DAME MALLIOT 25 E Vaughan 3-8-12 L Dettori 104 3 (6) 1 ANNA OF SUSSEX 35 S Kirk 9-0 T Marquand 80
4 (2) 411 BOOMER 19 T Dascombe 9-0 R Kingscote 99 5.30 DFS Handicap (3-Y-O: £12,450: 7f) (6) 3.45 Doncaster Cloak Of Spirits and
3 (7) 1-6353 DELPHINIA 26 A P O'Brien (Ire) 3-8-9 R L Moore 103
4 (1) -04112 OYDIS 26 (BF) R Beckett 3-8-9 H Bentley 95 5 (8) 1 CLOAK OF SPIRITS 48 R Hannon 9-0 A Atzeni 98 1 (1) 2111 MUTAMAASIK 26 (D) R Varian 9-7 J Crowley 94 Powerful Breeze are the two to focus on,
5 (3) 201660 PEACH TREE 25 A P O'Brien (Ire) 3-8-9 W M Lordan 85 6 (5) 51 PASSION 11 (D) A P O'Brien (Ire) 9-0 R L Moore 88 2 (3) 1-1160 I COULD DO BETTER 19 (H,D) I Williams 9-4 W Buick v95 with preference for the latter. She was
(5) 141304 SOUTH SEA PEARL 21 A P O'Brien (Ire) 3-8-9 J A Heffernan 7 (1) 1 POWERFUL BREEZE 20 H Palmer 9-0 James Doyle 97 3 (2) 256-00 DUTCH TREAT 19 (D) A Balding 9-0 O Murphy 77
6 99
8 (3) 341 RUN WILD 15 (D) J Gosden 9-0 O Murphy 82
strong at the finish when winning on her
7 (6) 404212 STAR TERMS 32 R Hannon 3-8-9 A Atzeni 102 4 (4) 6214- MADKHAL 314 (BF) S bin Suroor 9-0 R L Moore 84
8 (2) 254201 VIVID DIAMOND 12 M Johnston 3-8-9 F Norton v107 9 (7) 151 WEST END GIRL 33 M Johnston 9-0 F Norton v101 5 (5) 51-003 THE GREAT HEIR 33 (CD) K Ryan 8-10 S Gray 89
debut at Newmarket and ought to
6-5 Enbihaar, 9-4 Dame Malliot, 10-1 Vivid Diamond, 12-1 Delphinia, Star Terms, 16-1 South Sea Pearl, 2-1 Cloak Of Spirits, 9-2 West End Girl, 5-1 Passion, 6-1 Boomer, 7-1 Alpen Rose, 8-1 Run Wild, 10-1 6 (6) 214502 ARCHAEOLOGY 6 (BF,C) J O'Keeffe 8-5 S P Davis (3) 88 appreciate this first try at a mile. She can
25-1 Oydis, 33-1 Peach Tree. Powerful Breeze, 25-1 Ananya, 50-1 Anna Of Sussex. 5-4 Mutamaasik, 3-1 Archaeology, 6-1 Madkhal, 7-1 The Great Heir, 10-1 I Could Do Better, Dutch Treat. see off Cloak Of Spirits, who looked good
Wright choice: Dame Malliot led late on when winning at Deauville and can take Wright choice: Powerful Breeze stormed clear when making a winning debut at Wright choice: The Great Heir won the valuable sales race on this card a year ago at Ascot but is less sure to relish this trip.
another step forward over this longer trip Dangers: Enbihaar, Vivid Diamond Newmarket and can follow up Dangers: Cloak Of Spirits, Alpen Rose and shaped as though back in form when third at Haydock Danger: Archaeology

10 (8) 04500 TEST VALLEY 21 Mrs T Barfoot-Saunt 4-8-7 J Fahy 7 (3) 22101 BUG BOY 10 (P,CD) Paul George 3-9-6 Rhiain Ingram (5) 2.50 Handicap (3-Y-O: £4,528: 1m 2f) (6)
Chelmsford Chepstow 11 (4) 22253 EDGED OUT 36 (CD) C Mason 9-8-7 W Cox (3) 8 (4) 006-0 BOSTONIAN 20 (T) S Lycett 9-9-6 R Powell 1 (2) 03212 KNOWING 23 (BF,D) J Fanshawe 9-7 G Wood
Rob Wright Rob Wright 12 (6) 00060 SWENDAB 28 (B,H,CD) J G O'Shea 11-8-7 L Jones 9 (11) 31333 MAGIC SHUFFLE 34 F Brennan 3-9-4 T Whelan 2 (3) 256 GAZTON 25 (H) I Furtado 9-5 D Costello
13(13) -0062 ATTY'S EDGE 21 C Mason 3-8-6 Rhiain Ingram (5) 10 (2) 45532 CHINESE ALPHABET 30 (P) W Knight 3-9-3 L Morris 3 (4) 40036 GUILDHALL 27 (B) R Beckett 9-5 J Watson
5.20 Bill The Butcher 7.20 Harry’s Bar 1.50 Lara Silvia 4.05 Wherewithal 7-2 Kodiak Attack, 6-1 Secret Potion, 7-1 Bluebell Time, Red Stripes, Atty's 11(14) 26-35 BORN TO FROLIC 48 Debbie Hughes 4-9-2
5.50 Silver Samurai 7.50 Withoutdestination 2.25 Buy Nice Not Twice 4.40 Young John Racheal Kneller (5) 4 (1) 4-601 THE DANCING POET 20 (P,D) E Vaughan 9-3 K Shoemark
Edge, 8-1 Edged Out, 10-1 Compton Poppy, 12-1 Perfect Charm, 14-1 others. 5 (6) 36221 ISLE OF WOLVES 16 (CD) J Boyle 9-2 P Cosgrave
6.20 Invincible Larne 8.20 Sauchiehall Street 3.00 Secret Potion 5.10 Bug Boy 12 (8) 00545 GENERAL BROOK 9 (P,CD) J G O'Shea 9-9-2 Rossa Ryan
6.50 Solar Heights 3.35 Sky Vega 13 (1) 4/0-5 BOUTAN 20 (P,C) Grace Harris 6-9-0 W Cox (3) 6 (5) 06031 SOOTABILITY 22 R Fahey 9-0 B McHugh
3.35 Novice Stakes (2-Y-O: £3,429: 7f) (11) 14 (9) 1600- OCEAN GALE J360 (C) R J Price 6-8-12 Sophie Ralston (5) 5-2 Isle Of Wolves, 11-4 Knowing, 3-1 Sootability, 5-1 others.
Going: standard Racing TV Going: good to soft, good in places
1 (6) BLAIRLOGIE M Channon 9-5 K O'Neill
Draw: 5f-1m, low numbers best Draw: no advantage Sky Sports Racing 7-2 Bug Boy, 6-1 Chinese Alphabet, 7-1 Essenaitch, 8-1 Paddy The Chef, 10-1
2 (3) 0 GENERAL JOE 36 C Cox 9-5 W Cox (3) General Brook, Helian, Ourmullion, 12-1 Magic Shuffle, Neff, 14-1 others. 3.25 Handicap
5.20 Novice Stakes (2-Y-O: £6,081: 6f) (7) 3 (7) I'M WATCHING YOU R Harris 9-5 D Probert (Jump jockeys: £7,763: 1m 4f) (7)
1.50 Nursery (2-Y-O: £2,782: 5f) (10) 4 (11) 0 LEO'S LUCKYMAN 68 D Flood 9-5 L Jones
1 (5) 105 LAST SURPRISE 75 (D) S Crisford 9-5 P Cosgrave 1 (1) 23003 MANDALAYAN 27 J Portman 4-11-10 H Bannister
2 (7) 5 BILL THE BUTCHER 19 Richard Spencer 9-4 A Kirby
1 (4) 53640 LARA SILVIA 30 I Jardine 9-7
2 (2) 6504 FULL SPECTRUM 10 (P) Paul George 9-7
Rossa Ryan
L Morris
5 (5)
6 (8)
6 MAXIMILIUS 28 R Beckett 9-5
65 OCHO GRANDE 20 E J-Houghton 9-5
R Hornby
T P Queally
Epsom 2 (7) 22312 ALLEGIANT 17 (BF,C) S C Williams 4-11-9 J Quinlan
3 (2) 00 CASABLANCA KID 13 D P Quinn 9-4 T Clark (3) Rob Wright 3 (3) 31162 BERRAHRI 19 (C) J Best 8-11-9 J Haynes
3 (8) 54530 SANTORINI SAL 29 J Bridger 9-1 M Godwin (3) 7 (4) 0 SEA VOICE 7 R Hannon 9-5 T Hammer Hansen (5)
4 (3) SAN JUAN S L Keightley 9-4 N Mackay 4 (5) 52361 C'EST NO MOUR 17 (V,CD) P Hedger 6-11-6 L Aspell
4 (10) 0022 BLUE VENTURE 10 A Carroll 9-0 J Fahy 8 (1) 53 SKY VEGA 36 (BF) R Hannon 9-5 Rossa Ryan 1.40 Afraid Of Nothing 3.55 Indian Viceroy
5 (1) 46 SHOOT TO KILL 48 G Scott 9-4 D Muscutt 5 (2) -1444 RYDAN 19 (V,D) G L Moore 8-11-4 Joshua Moore
5 (3) 00553 SIR RODNEYREDBLOOD 9 J R Jenkins 9-0 T P Queally 9 (2) THE FITZPIERS LION R Harris 9-5 R Da Silva 2.15 Thechildren’strust 4.30 Bring Us Paradise
6 (4) 6 DUBAI ROMANCE 113 S bin Suroor 8-13 C Shepherd 6 (4) 51304 GENDARME 10 (B,C,D) Alexandra Dunn 4-11-2 A Wedge
6 (1) 00406 SHAUN'S DELIGHT 9 (B) R Harris 8-11 D Probert 10(10) VIKING HONOUR J Tuite 9-5 G Downing 2.50 Knowing 5.05 Highland Acclaim
7 (6) RED'S ROCKET Mrs L Mongan 8-13 N Currie 7 (6) 56410 DELPH CRESCENT 13 (V) R Fahey 4-11-2 B Hughes
11-10 Last Surprise, 7-2 Dubai Romance, 4-1 Shoot To Kill, 6-1 others.
7 (5) 00600 RED CINDERELLA 10 P Evans 8-8 L Jones 11 (9) 32 MAGIC TWIST 42 M Johnston 9-0 L Morris 3.25 C’Est No Mour
11-4 Allegiant, 3-1 C'Est No Mour, 4-1 Berrahri, 7-1 others.
8 (9) 506 MUMSBIRTHDAYGIRL 122 M Loughnane 8-6 E J Walsh 6-5 Magic Twist, 2-1 Sky Vega, 12-1 Blairlogie, 14-1 Maximilius, Ocho Grande, Going: good, good to firm in places
9 (7) 060 GOODMAN SQUARE 12 M Usher 8-6 Isobel Francis (7) 20-1 Sea Voice, 25-1 I'm Watching You, Viking Honour, 33-1 others. Draw: 6f-1m 2f, low numbers best Racing TV
5.50 Novice Stakes (2-Y-O: £6,081: 7f) (10) 10 (6) 050 MAYFLOWER LADY 28 (B) R Harris 8-6 R Da Silva
3.55 Handicap (£7,763: 7f) (8)
1 (3) 10 LOVE DESTINY 21 (D) M Johnston 9-8 A Kirby 1 (5) 00116 BIG STORM COMING 47 (CD) J J Quinn 9-9-10 C Fallon (5)
0 ONE ALC 33 D Ivory 9-2 J Haynes
6-4 Blue Venture, 4-1 Sir Rodneyredblood, 11-2 Full Spectrum, 8-1 Lara Silvia, 4.05 Novice Stakes (£3,429: 7f) (9) 1.40 Novice Stakes (2-Y-O: £4,787: 7f) (7)
2 (5) 10-1 Shaun's Delight, 12-1 Santorini Sal, 16-1 others. 2 (4) 30250 MAMILLIUS 16 (D) G Baker 6-9-7 Scott McCullagh (5)
3 (8) 61 MISS THOUGHTFUL 12 J Osborne 9-1 N Currie 1 (5) 1 SEVERNAYA 195 J Gosden 3-9-5 R Havlin 1 (5) 0 BONUS 13 J Boyle 9-5 P Cosgrave 3 (8) 33133 LUIS VAZ DE TORRES 15 (D) R Fahey 7-9-7 B McHugh
4 (10) 4154 MITTY'S SMILE 21 (P) Archie Watson 9-1 2 (4) 3 ALAMEERY 24 E Dunlop 3-9-3 D Probert 2 (7) 5 BUTO 28 E J-Houghton 9-5 Georgia Dobie (7)
2.25 Nursery (2-Y-O: £2,782: 1m) (13) 4 (1) 23032 CASEMENT 35 M Appleby 5-9-6 A Rawlinson
Adam J McNamara 3 (2) 0-2 A PLACE TO DREAM 26 Mike Murphy 3-9-3 Rossa Ryan 3 (1) 0 COMPENSATE 21 A Balding 9-5 W Carver (5) 5 (3) 16430 POETIC FORCE 12 (T,D) A Carroll 5-9-6 J Haynes
5 (1) 0 VENTURA STAR 27 D Lanigan 9-1 D Muscutt 1 (8) 066 MAX'S VOICE 13 (B) David Loughnane 9-7 T Greatrex (5) 4 (9) DANSEPO Adam West 3-9-3 T P Queally 0 SCALLYWAGTAIL 23 G L Moore 9-5 K Shoemark
4 (3) 6 (7) 02655 BUCKINGHAM 19 (D) E J-Houghton 3-9-5 Georgia Dobie (7)
6 (9) 3 SILVER SAMURAI 13 M Botti 9-0 G Wood 2 (12) 006 TODAY POWER 16 R Hannon 9-6 Rossa Ryan 5 (3) 5-300 SNOW OCEAN 49 (H) P Evans 3-9-3 E J Walsh 5 (6) 62 AFRAID OF NOTHING 12 R Beckett 9-0 J Watson 7 (2) 32100 ITIZZIT 43 H Morrison 3-9-3 C Bennett
7 (6) TYPHOON LILY R Hughes 8-11 F Marsh (3) 3 (4) 0500 SON OF PRANCEALOT 20 (T) P Evans 9-6 L Jones 6 (1) WHEREWITHAL R Beckett 3-9-3 R Hornby 6 (4) 0 MOONDANCE 42 G L Moore 9-0 L Keniry 8 (6) 00021 INDIAN VICEROY 22 (CD) H Morrison 3-9-2 J Watson
8 (4) 00 LISBETH SALANDER 12 Richard Spencer 8-9 C Shepherd 4 (5) 6600 ACTIVIUS 9 (B) B Meehan 9-5 R Hornby 7 (7) 0- MAERCHENGARTEN 276 E De Giles 3-8-12 R Ffrench 7 (2) 05 PURE PURFECTION 17 J Boyle 9-0 C Bennett 3-1 Big Storm Coming, 9-2 Casement, 5-1 Indian Viceroy, 6-1 others.
9 (2) 0 OASIS SONG 12 H Morrison 8-9 P J McDonald 5 (9) 000 CAMACHO MAN 59 Jennie Candlish 9-4 T P Queally 8 (8) 45 SALLY HOPE 27 J Gallagher 3-8-12 T Greatrex (5) 2-7 Afraid Of Nothing, 5-1 Buto, 14-1 Compensate, 16-1 Scallywagtail, 20-1
10 (7) 60 DISARMING 27 Dr J Scargill 8-8 D Keenan (3) 6 (3) 60604 INTERRUPTED DREAM 7 M Johnston 9-4 9 (6) 0- STAR COMMAND 345 D Coakley 3-8-12 Michael Pitt (7)
Aiden Smithies (7) Bonus, 33-1 Pure Purfection, 50-1 Moondance. 4.30 Handicap (3-Y-O: £4,528: 1m 113yd) (8)
9-4 Love Destiny, 3-1 Miss Thoughtful, 4-1 Mitty's Smile, 6-1 others. 5-6 Severnaya, 5-1 Wherewithal, 6-1 A Place To Dream, 8-1 others.
7 (10) 600 BIG BORIS 14 P Evans 9-2 R Havlin 1 (6) 45230 WELCOMING 33 M Johnston 9-9 J Fanning
8 (1) 04050 BUY NICE NOT TWICE 7 R Hannon 9-0 2.15 Handicap (£4,528: 1m 113yd) (11) 2 (1) -6345 MEMPHIS BLEEK 33 (B,BF) I Furtado 9-7 W Carver (5)
6.20 Handicap (3-Y-O: £5,111: 6f) (9) T Hammer Hansen (5) 4.40 Handicap (£5,208: 6f) (7) 1 (1) 22361 KINGSTON KURRAJONG 19 W Knight 6-9-10 J Watson
9 (7) 0364 BOSTON GIRL 34 (P) E Dunlop 9-0 D Probert 3 (4) 36123 CONSPIRITOR 16 (BF) C Hills 9-3 K Shoemark
1 (2) -0004 LOVIN 35 (T,V,C) D O'Meara 9-9 A Kirby 1 (2) 15010 HANDYTALK 34 (V,D) B Millman 6-9-7 O Searle (7) 2 (10) 0-406 KENSTONE 96 (P) A Wintle 6-9-7 Angus Villiers (7)
10(13) 0000 LIGHTNING BUG 34 Miss S Smith 8-8 Rhiain Ingram (5) 4 (8) -2113 BRING US PARADISE 33 A Carroll 9-3 C Fallon (5)
2 (9) 40023 ACROSS THE SEA 57 (V,BF) J Tate 9-9 P J McDonald 2 (3) 61-26 ANGEL MEAD 22 (D) J Tuite 3-9-5 R Hornby 3 (11) 3-000 SING OUT LOUD 24 (D) M Madgwick 4-9-7
11(11) 060 ORDER OF MERRITT 17 (B) Sir M Prescott 8-6 L Morris 5 (2) 51504 BLACK MEDICK 16 Mrs L Mongan 9-2 J Watson
3 (8) 56431 INVINCIBLE LARNE 36 (V) M Quinn 9-7 P Cosgrave 3 (4) 32165 ALICIA DARCY 11 (B,D) Archie Watson 3-9-3 Scott McCullagh (5)
12 (2) 0603 OHNOTANOTHERONE 15 (P) W Kittow 8-6 W Cox (3) Kate Leahy (7) 6 (7) 1-064 THORN 12 (H) P Hiatt 9-0 L Keniry
4 (3) 42456 DI MATTEO 31 (D) M Botti 9-4 S Cherchi (7) 4 (7) 00301 POUR LA VICTOIRE 10 (B) A Carroll 9-9-6(4ex) J Haynes
13 (6) 06604 NOW I'M A BELIEVER 15 M Channon 8-6 K O'Neill 4 (1) 64454 YOUNG JOHN 23 (D) Mike Murphy 6-9-1 Rossa Ryan 7 (3) 6-20 AMBERSAND 75 R Fahey 8-12 B McHugh
5 (7) 0065R GREYBYCHOICE 73 N Littmoden 8-13 D Keenan (3) 5 (9) 056-1 CANFORD'S JOY 97 Alexandra Dunn 4-9-5 C Fallon (5)
4-1 Interrupted Dream, 9-2 Order Of Merritt, 6-1 Today Power, 7-1 Buy Nice 5 (6) 03111 GILT EDGE 14 (D) C Mason 3-8-13 Rhiain Ingram (5) 8 (5) -2000 GENNARO 33 (H,T) I Furtado 8-7 G Malune (3)
6 (4) 63002 SEPAHI 35 (P,C) H Spiller 8-13 D E Hogan (5) 6 (3) 3-300 BALMORAL CASTLE 70 (D) J Portman 10-9-4
Not Twice, 8-1 Now I'm A Believer, 12-1 Activius, Boston Girl, 14-1 others. 6 (5) 00432 SMOKEY LANE 28 (D) P Evans 5-8-11 T Greatrex (5) T Saunders (7) 11-4 Ambersand, 4-1 Bring Us Paradise, 9-2 Conspiritor, 6-1 others.
7 (1) 30600 PAINTED DREAM 24 G Margarson 8-13 Morgan Cole (7)
7 (7) 36401 KINGLAMI 13 (B,CD) J G O'Shea 10-8-7 L Morris 7 (5) 50041 THECHILDREN'STRUST 7 G L Moore 4-9-3 K Shoemark
8 (5) 40243 MAID MILLIE 12 (P,BF) R Cowell 8-7 Angus Villiers (7)
9 (6) 00500 SUCH PROMISE 24 (V) Mike Murphy 8-2 Isobel Francis (7) 3.00 Handicap (£3,429: 5f) (13) 2-1 Gilt Edge, 9-2 Kinglami, 5-1 Smokey Lane, 6-1 Young John, 7-1 Alicia Darcy, 8 (6) 31600 RAKEMATIZ 38 (D) B Johnson 5-9-2 D Muscutt 5.05 Handicap (£4,528: 6f) (9)
8-1 Handytalk, 10-1 Angel Mead. 9 (8) 00-00 BOMBASTIC 79 E De Giles 4-9-2 P Cosgrave 1 (3) 30531 WILEY POST 10 (B) A Carroll 6-9-8 Scott McCullagh (5)
3-1 Invincible Larne, 7-2 Across The Sea, 5-1 Maid Millie, 6-1 others. 1 (5) 44311 KODIAK ATTACK 26 (D) S Kirk 3-9-8 R Hornby
10 (2) 43113 LA SIOUX 63 (D) R Fahey 5-9-1 B McHugh 2 (6) 34532 RESTLESS ROSE 14 (BF,D) S C Williams 4-9-8 J Fanning
2 (11) 05161 SECRET POTION 21 (CD) R Harris 5-9-7 D Probert
6.50 Handicap (£12,938: 1m) (8) 3 (2) 61100 PERFECT CHARM 16 (B,D) Archie Watson 3-9-5 5.10 Handicap (£2,782: 1m 4f) (14) 11 (4) 52631 SAVITAR 12 J Boyle 4-8-10 C Bennett 3 (9) 33030 HIGHLAND ACCLAIM 9 (P,CD) D O'Meara 8-9-7 K Shoemark
Kate Leahy (7) 11-4 Thechildren'strust, 5-1 Kingston Kurrajong, 6-1 Pour La Victoire, 7-1 4 (2) 13450 SPANISH STAR 13 (D) P Chamings 4-9-6 L Keniry
1 (2) 5140- COMMANDER COLE 355 S bin Suroor 5-9-12 P Cosgrave 1 (13) 634-0 OURMULLION J14 (B,T) D Pipe 5-10-0 R Hornby
4 (9) 43505 PETTOCHSIDE 24 (C,D) J Bridger 10-9-2 Rossa Ryan Savitar, Canford's Joy, 8-1 La Sioux, 14-1 Rakematiz, 16-1 others. 5 (5) 40152 ZAC BROWN 18 (T,BF,D) C Wallis 8-9-6 R Winston
2 (3) 66251 BEDOUIN'S STORY 47 (P) S bin Suroor 4-9-11 H Crouch 2 (5) 04534 SEARCHING J12 (P,D) Grace Harris 7-10-0 T P Queally
5 (10) -0010 COMPTON POPPY 21 (B,CD) A Carroll 5-8-12 G Downing 3 (12) 04630 PADDY THE CHEF 23 (P,BF) I Williams 4-9-12 6 (4) 26051 THE LAMPLIGHTER 20 (P,T,D) G Baker 4-9-5 C Fallon (5)
3 (6) 06421 IBRAZ 17 (D) R Varian 4-9-9 D O'Neill 6 (12) 05560 SILVERRICA 41 (D) M Saunders 9-8-11 E J Walsh T Hammer Hansen (5) 7 (8) 13134 CENT FLYING 6 (T,D) W Muir 4-9-4 J Watson
4 (1) 32206 QAROUN 27 (D) Sir M Stoute 4-9-1 L Steward 7 (7) 24032 BLUEBELL TIME 8 M Saunders 3-8-9 K O'Neill 4 (6) -0104 NEFF 50 G L Moore 4-9-10 B J Powell Blinkered first time: Chepstow 1.50 Mayflower Lady. 2.25 8 (7) 00024 SWANTON BLUE 36 (CD) E De Giles 6-8-11 Toby Eley (5)
5 (4) 04401 UNIVERSAL GLEAM 19 (D) K Dalgleish 4-9-1 C Rodriguez 8 (3) 53213 RED STRIPES 9 (B,D) Mrs L Williamson 7-8-9 G Ashton (7) 5 (7) -6353 ESSENAITCH 10 (C) P Evans 6-9-8 T Greatrex (5) Max’s Voice, Order Of Merritt. Doncaster 3.15 When 9 (1) 13635 PERFECT SYMPHONY 36 (BF,D) M Pattinson 5-8-9 C Bennett
6 (8) 22101 MAAMORA 43 (D) S Crisford 3-9-0 David Egan 9 (1) 20300 DAVID'S BEAUTY 32 (B,CD) B Baugh 6-8-9 L Morris 6 (10) 0364 HELIAN 34 E Dunlop 3-9-7 D Probert Comes Here. 4.20 Savalas. Epsom 4.30 Memphis Bleek. 7-2 Wiley Post, 4-1 Restless Rose, The Lamplighter, 6-1 others.
7 (5) 15131 SOLAR HEIGHTS 14 (V,CD) J Tate 3-8-13 P J McDonald
8 (7) -0053 AKVAVERA 39 (D) R Beckett 4-8-12 H Bentley
3-1 Bedouin's Story, 7-2 Ibraz, 5-1 Solar Heights, 6-1 Maamora, 7-1 others.
Yesterday’s racing results
7.20 Handicap (£9,704: 5f) (6)
1 (5) 01000 ROYAL BIRTH 5 (T,CD) S C Williams 8-9-11 M Ghiani (7) 3.35 (1m) 1, Dubai Acclaim (Sammy Jo Bell, 2.40 (2m 3f 207yd hdle) 1, Champagne Mist 6.00 (7f) 1, Pitchcombe (Hector Crouch, 6-1);
2 (1) 02000 ENCORE D'OR 27 (CD) R Cowell 7-9-10 P J McDonald Carlisle (12-1). 8 ran. NR: Helovaplan. 2Ol, 2Nl.
K Ryan. 5-1); 2, Hammer Gun (4-1 fav); 3, Flying (L Treadwell, 2-1); 2, Mason Jar (4-6 fav); 2, Sparkling Diamond (16-1); 3, Souter
3 (6) 02D02 SUNSPRITE 20 (P,D) R Hughes 3-9-7 David Egan Going: good to soft 5.05 (7f 173yd) 1, The Navigator (J P Sullivan, Dragon (5-1). 16 ran. NR: Elusive Heights. 3, Cotswold Prince (9-2). 9 ran. NR: Neil The Johnnie (7-2 fav). 14 ran. 3l, Ol. C G Cox.
4 (4) 05111 HARRY'S BAR 34 (CD) J Fanshawe 4-9-5 G Wood 14-1); 2, Equidae (10-1); 3, Puerto Banus (4-1 Sh hd, Ol. R Fahey. Legend. 2Kl, 16l. A Ralph. 6.30 (7f) 1, Gavi Di Gavi (Nicola Currie, 7-1);
1.40 (5f 193yd) 1, Stormy Girl (Thomas
5 (2) 45650 LORD RIDDIFORD 22 (CD) J J Quinn 4-9-3 J Hart Greatrex, 25-1); 2, Hostelry (2-1 fav); 3, fav). 13 ran. 1l, 1Nl. Mrs Dianne Sayer. 4.10 (1m 3f 197yd) 1, Maybe Today (W Buick, 3.15 (3m 2yd ch) 1, Angel Of Harlem (Aidan 2, Little Palaver (16-1); 3, Mochalov
6 (3) 135-5 SPARKALOT 23 S Dow 5-8-12 Levi Williams (7) Dandy’s Angel (9-1). 12 ran. 5l, Kl. 5.35 (1m 6f) 1, Well Funded (Jane Elliott, 4-1); 2, Litigious (6-4 fav); 3, Makawee Coleman, 4-1); 2, Go Another One (1-5 fav). (3-1 fav). 13 ran. NR: Papa Delta. 1N, Kl.
11-10 Harry's Bar, 9-2 Sunsprite, 5-1 Lord Riddiford, 7-1 Encore D'Or, 8-1 Royal David Loughnane. 100-30 fav); 2, Put The Law On You (6-1); (11-4). 4 ran. 1Ol, 1Ol. S Crisford. Only two finished. 3 ran. 10l, Olly Murphy. A King.
Birth, 14-1 Sparkalot. 3, Bill Cody (16-1). 11 ran. NR: Cochise. 5l, nk. 3.45 (2m 3f 207yd hdle) 1, The Vollan (Aidan
2.15 (5f 193yd) 1, Singe Anglais (Faye 4.45 (1m 2f 43yd) 1, Fox Tal (Oisin Murphy, Coleman, 2-1 jt-fav); 2, Doubly Clever (2-1 jt- 7.00 (1m 3f 219yd) 1, Strelka (Harry Bentley,
McManoman, 5-1 co-fav); 2, Magic Timing J Bethell. 1-4 fav); 2, Persuer (4-1); 3, Royal Family
16-1); 2, Elwazir (9-1); 3, Walkinthesand fav); 3, Gortroe Joe (9-2). 6 ran. NR: Zubayr.
7.50 Handicap (3-Y-O: £5,757: 1m 5f) (3) (5-1 co-fav); 3, Danny Ocean (5-1 co-fav). Placepot: £84.20. (4-1). 6 ran. 2l, Ol. A Balding. 9l, 15l. C Longsdon. (11-2). 8 ran. 4Kl, 3Ol. R M Beckett.
1 (2) 15451 BRASCA 7 (C) R Beckett 9-12(6ex) H Bentley 12 ran. Sh hd, 1Ol. N Tinkler. Quadpot: £20.10. 7.30 (1m 7f 218yd) 1, Trouble Shooter
5.20 (5f) 1, Dark Shadow (A Kirby, 20-1); 4.20 (2m 4f ch) 1, Beni Light (Mr B R Jones,
2 (1) 21422 WITHOUTDESTINATION 40 (B) M Botti 9-4 S Cherchi (7) 2.50 (5f 193yd) 1, Autumn Flight (P J 2, Line Of Reason (8-1); 3, Manshood (25-1); 11-4); 2, Midnight Maestro (3-1); 3, Elkstone (Josephine Gordon, 7-1); 2, Great Bear
3 (3) 25242 AUSTRALIS 26 (B) R Varian 9-2
4-6 Brasca, 9-4 Australis, 11-2 Withoutdestination.
David Egan McDonald, 4-1); 2, Avenue Of Stars (8-1);
3, Kenny The Captain (13-2). 12 ran. 1Kl, 1Nl.
Doncaster 4, Roundhay Park (3-1 fav). 18 ran. NR:
Hawaam, Whataguy. 1Nl, 1l. C Cox.
(15-2). 6 ran. 1Kl, 17l. D Rees. (3-1); 3, Young Merlin (7-2). 5 ran.
NR: Withoutdestination. 1l, 4Kl. S L
4.55 (2m hdle) 1, Tingo In The Tale (Edward
T Easterby. Going: good to firm Austin, 16-1); 2, Just Marvin (3-1); Keightley.
Placepot: £1,549.30.
8.20 Handicap (£5,111: 1m 5f) (6) 3.25 (5f 193yd) 1, I Know How (Kevin Stott, 1.50 (6f 2yd) 1, Lazuli (W Buick, 4-11 fav); 3, Jetstream (25-1). 12 ran. NR: Hurricane 8.00 (1m 2f 219yd) 1, Topology (Charles
15-2); 2, Suitcase ‘N’ Taxi (12-1); 3, Round 2, Misty Grey (7-2); 3, Brad The Brief (8-1). Quadpot: £460.00. Rita. 2Nl, hd. T Forbes. Bishop, 16-1); 2, By Rail (33-1); 3, Settle Petal
1 (5) 53045 SAUCHIEHALL STREET 56 (P) Noel Williams 4-9-11
C Shepherd The Island (4-1 fav). 10 ran. NR: Bugler Bob, NR: Lampang. Ns, 2Nl. C Appleby. Placepot: £186.90. Quadpot: £54.80. (16-1). 14 ran. Kl, 1N. J Tuite.
Kolossus. 1Ol, nk. Miss J Camacho.
2 (2) 40012 MOONMEISTER 35 (T) A J Martin (Ire) 8-9-10 Doubtful
3.55 (7f 173yd) 1, Strawman (Connor
2.25 (7f 6yd) 1, Bravo Faisal (P Hanagan,
Uttoxeter 8.30 (1m) 1, Purgatory (P Cosgrave, 5-2 fav);
3 (1) -0040 CONKERING HERO 22 (B,C) J Tuite 5-9-7
4 (6) 64334 BRITTANIC 18 D M Simcock 5-9-6
C Bishop
D E Hogan (5) Beasley, 5-2); 2, Bentley Wood (22-1); 3, Stag
10-1); 2, Hariboux (100-30 fav); 3, Iffraaz
(9-2). 9 ran. NR: Embolden. Kl, 1Nl. Going: good (good to firm in places)
Kempton Park 2, Mitigator (12-1); 3, Letsbe Avenue (9-2).
12 ran. NR: Itmakesyouthink, The Warrior. ns,
5 (3) 15450 SIR GNET 44 (H) E Dunlop 5-9-0 D Muscutt Horn (6-4 fav). 14 ran. NR: Ruby Shield. R Fahey. Going: standard / slow 2N. C F Wall.
6 (4) 40460 CARVELAS 14 (C) J R Jenkins 10-8-10 N Mackay 1Kl, 6l. Adrian Nicholls. 3.00 (5f 3yd) 1, Equilateral (R L Moore, 9-4); 2.05 (2m 7f 70yd hdle ) 1, Sinakar (Richard 5.30 (6f) 1, Dream Catching (William Carver, Placepot: £209.40.
2-1 Brittanic, 5-2 Sauchiehall Street, 3-1 Sir Gnet, 7-2 Conkering Hero, 8-1 4.30 (7f 173yd) 1, Alotabottle (S P Davis, 2, Queens Gift (8-1); 3, Duke Of Firenze Patrick, 5-1); 2, Farmer Boy (6-1); 3, Jonjoela 11-8 fav); 2, Swiss Pride (11-4); 3, Kwela
Carvelas. 4-1); 2, Harvey Dent (7-2 fav); 3, Global Gift (40-1). 7 ran. Hd, 1Nl. C Hills. (66-1). 15 ran. 8l, 2l. Kerry Lee. (11-2). 6 ran. Sh hd, Ol. A M Balding. Quadpot: £127.80.
56
Sport
Sport
City legal battle may take all season
Football
Martyn Ziegler Chief Sports Reporter
Uefa’s financial fair play case against
Manchester City may not be resolved
until the end of the season, it can be
revealed.
Sources with knowledge of the case
say that the complex legal wrangle —
which could end up with a Champions
League ban for City — may drag on for
many more months.
City launched a pre-emptive strike
against Uefa in June, going to the Court
of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in
Lausanne to challenge the legitimacy
of its investigation. The European
governing body launched the inquiry in
March after internal emails, part of the
Football Leaks cache and published by
the German magazine Der Spiegel,
appeared to show that the club inflated
sponsorship agreements.
The CAS has yet to make a ruling on
that challenge and Uefa’s case contin-
ues. The most likely course of events is
that the court will make a decision and
if it is in Uefa’s favour then the adjudica-
tory chamber of its Club Financial
Control Body (CFCB) will hold a hear-
ing to decide whether City should be
sanctioned. The CFCB investigator
Yves Leterme is reported to have
recommended a ban for City from the
Champions League for providing
misleading financial information.
If the CFCB does then impose a sanc-
tion, City can go back to the CAS to
challenge that verdict in what would be
a completely different appeal process.
Any such further appeal to the CAS is
likely to take several months.
In May, the club strongly denied any
wrongdoing, saying: “The accusation of
Sergio Agüero beats Jamie Carragher in last night’s testimonal for Kompany, inset. City legends drew 2-2 with the All-Stars
financial irregularities remains entirely
false and the CFCB [investigatory
chamber] referral ignores a compre-
hensive body of irrefutable evidence
provided by Manchester City.”
The leaked emails appeared to show
City being paid directly by the owners
instead of the Etihad airline for a
sponsorship deal, and allegedly also
backdated sponsorship deals with
partners from Abu Dhabi — Etihad,
Aabar and the tourism authority.
City were fined £48 million in 2014
for spending more than the FFP rules
CARL RECINE/ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS
permitted, although £32 million of that
was suspended so the club only ended
up paying £16 million.
John Stones is set to ease City’s injury
crisis by returning to the starting line-
up for Saturday’s match against
Norwich City having missed three
matches with a thigh injury. Pep
Guardiola, the City manager, has two
centre backs to choose from until Janu-
ary at the earliest after Aymeric La-
porte was ruled out for at least four
months with a knee injury last week.
Stones is set to be partnered by Nico-
FGM
lás Otamendi, 31, who returned early
from international duty with Argentina.
It is understood that he is not injured.
Guardiola must decide whether to
stick with Oleksandr Zinchenko at left
back or give Benjamin Mendy his first
start since April. Mendy, 25, missed pre-
season and the majority of last season
with knee and metatarsal injuries.
Vincent Kompany, whose City career
was hampered by injury, last night
missed his testimonial of City legends
against a Premier League All-Stars side
— with a hamstring problem.
Thursday September 12 2019 | the times
Coleman: my
reputation has
been smeared
Athletics
Rick Broadbent
Christian Coleman, the fastest man in
the world, is demanding a public
apology from the US Anti-Doping
Agency after claiming that he was the
victim of a smear campaign.
Usada had accused the American
sprinter of three whereabouts failures,
which could have landed him a two-
year ban, but was forced to drop the
case on a technicality. Although
Coleman did miss three tests within a
year, the World Anti-Doping Agency
said two were deemed “filing failures”
and should be backdated to the start of
the quarter, meaning that they did not
happen within a 12-month period.
Most might consider that a lucky
escape but Coleman, 23, said: “They
expect athletes to follow their rules but
they can’t follow their own. I can afford
a lawyer and to miss races but a lower
name might just get run over by Usada.
Their organisation is designed to
protect athletes. I felt like the victim.”
Coleman, now free to run at the
World Championships in Doha this
month, said Usada were after “a big
fish” and that he was a “scapegoat”.
He claimed Travis Tygart, the chief
executive of Usada, had called him to
apologise. The Times understands
Tygart called to see if there was a way to
make the system easier. An apology will
not be issued. Coleman added: “You
can’t put a price on the smear on my
reputation. I deserve a public apology
from them — I’m a victim.”
the times | Thursday September 12 2019
‘Parents see academy kids as pension’ Wenger: United
too immature
Per Mertesacker tells
Henry Winter of the
pressure put on young
players and his hopes
of nurturing them
Per Mertesacker, Arsenal’s academy
manager and former captain, wants to
rebuild the “connection” between club
and support after the tensions that
scarred the final years of Arsène Weng-
er’s reign. Mertesacker believes a strong
bond between players and fans will be a
significant step on the road to making
Arsenal “world class” again.
Mertesacker is a huge admirer of
Wenger, who stood down in May 2018,
but acknowledges how difficult it was
for the team to play given the backdrop
of dissent towards the Frenchman from
fans frustrated at the team under-
achieving. “We needed to compete for
Premier League titles, not for FA Cups,”
Mertesacker said.
With a new era at Arsenal, involving
a new head coach in Unai Emery, and
technical director in their former mid-
fielder Edu, as well as himself supplying
prospects from the academy, Merte-
sacker hopes for a period of peace and
prosperity. “You want to build the best
connection between players and fans,
so that everyone feels that this is the
best club, a real culture that everyone
trusts each other that we can be world
class again,” Mertesacker said.
“I want to make a world-class aca-
FGM
demy, that everyone feels gets the best
talent towards the first team. The
manager wants to bring us back to the
Champions League and the technical
director wants to deliver the best re-
cruitment, which the club has not seen
for a long time. We want to have trust
from the fans that the people in charge
can deliver. That got lost definitely.
“There’s a more positive
energy right now than there
ever has been. That’s been
part of having a
massive change in
the club. To be world
class again means
consistency and that
means not losing
eight games a season
— that’s unaccept-
able.”
Two exciting
homegrown players,
Joe Willock, the
midfielder, and Reiss
Nelson, the forward,
have been trusted
with first-team roles
by Emery, which
strengthens the con-
nection with fans. “I
agree totally, you can
sense that there is a
trust in the academy,”
Mertesacker said. “I want
to provide the best talent.
Seeing Joe playing is mas-
sive but he needs to take
Mertesacker won three
FA Cups in four years
that chance, Reiss as well.” Sitting in a
hotel near Arsenal’s training ground,
Mertesacker is in reflective mood,
having just written his memoir Big
Friendly German with the London-
based journalist Raphael Honigstein.
The book is particularly good on
Mertesacker’s formative years, growing
up in Germany, and when settling in to
a new country on joining Arsenal in
2011. The World Cup winner went on to
make 221 appearances and score
10 goals for Arsenal from centre
back.
“We had four good seasons,
winning three FA Cups, but
we couldn’t compete for the
league,” he said. “The level
of intensity that
Liverpool and
Man City are play-
ing, we’re not there.
“Leicester City [the title in
2016] was probably our best
chance to win the league.
Have I missed something
not winning the Premier
League? We were not good
enough to earn the right.”
He appreciates Weng-
er’s legacy, the training
ground, the stadium and
the memory of the Invinci-
bles in 2003-04. “I just
want to thank him for what
he did for myself, for the
club and give it a real go
towards the titles we ex-
pect. To be world class
again, that’s where I’m
looking at it.”
The 34-year-old has responsibility
for 180 players in the academy, and
wants to develop them as good people
as well as good players. Many have the
hunger to succeed, others lack the drive
that he always had. “I think back to
people saying to me, ‘You’re not good
enough.’ I think back to my dad negoti-
ating my contract and saying, ‘No, no
this is too much.’ He refused to take that
money. I was really angry with him but
he was sending me messages which
were really important moving forward.
“Some parents think about their son
as [somebody] who can pay for their
pension. That’s the new genera-
tion . . . take, take, take. No, no, no! We
can never get rid of the shoe [boot] deals
they get at 13 or 14 which put them in a
frame of, ‘I’ve never sold a ticket but I
deserve that contract or shoe deal.’
What you’ve achieved in the world of
football is little to none. I want to see
standards from early on: respect, disci-
pline and humility.”
Mertesacker was keen to place on
record his support for his compatriot
Mesut Özil, who has become an enigma
at Arsenal. “First of all he loves playing
football,” Mertesacker said. “It doesn’t
come across so often. He’s a genius in
what he can produce with the ball, and
you can see that in every single training
session. Once he gets the ball, he thinks
he plays in the park, he can deliver that
ball that no one else can. He delivers
magic moments for us and also
moments where you thought he can go
to another level here. Ultimately it has
to come from him if he wants to go to
the next level.”
57
Sport
to win the title
Arsène Wenger has given a damning
assessment of Manchester United’s
prospects this season, writing off their
chances of winning the Premier
League.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have
won only one of their opening four
games, drawing twice and losing once,
and are seven points adrift of the
leaders, Liverpool.
Wenger, the former Arsenal
manager, says that United lack the
maturity to challenge for titles and does
not believe that they will emulate the
success the club enjoyed with Sir Alex
Ferguson and the Class of ’92.
“When you see Man United they are
one of the examples where there is
potential there,” Wenger told beIN
Sports. “They have not found a collec-
tive way, maybe because these players
are not mature enough to carry the
team-play of a team like Man United all
together.
“You feel there is something coming
out but it’s not ready. That’s why I say
when you watch them play they
are not candidates to fight for the
championship.
“Will they emulate what [Ryan]
Giggs, [Paul] Scholes, [David] Beckham
did over a number of years? Personally
I am not convinced.”
United return to Premier League
action on Saturday when they take on
third-placed Leicester City at Old
Trafford. Brendan Rodgers’s side are
unbeaten in their four matches.
58
Sport Football
Greedy. Selfish. Toxic. So how do
Alyson Rudd goes inside
the minds of football’s
alpha males to
find out what
makes them tick
S
elf-centred, selfish, greedy,
difficult, and lacking in
self-awareness. These are the
characteristics of the alpha
male in every dressing room,
and the top dog in every dressing
room is a striker who does not care
about his team-mates’ feelings. He
cares only about scoring goals.
This is why it will be fascinating to
watch Mohamed Salah and Sadio
Mané back in action for Liverpool on
Saturday. The previous time they
played together, before the
international break, Mané was visibly
stroppy after being substituted against
Burnley. He could have been cross
about any number of things but Alan
Smith, a co-commentator for Sky
Sports, knew immediately what the
cause was. Mané had been in space,
he could have scored, but Salah had
not passed to him.
“Salah wasn’t in a good position to
score,” Smith explains. “He tried a
silly drag-back with about three
defenders around him. It was greedy
of him and you can understand Mané
being really upset with that because it
was a simple square pass. There does
seem to be quite a lot of competition
for top scorer between that pair.
“I’m in a good position to discuss
striking partnerships because I played
with two of the best goalscorers of
their generation in Gary Lineker and
Ian Wright. They were selfish and
that’s what made them so good.
When they could see the white posts
they were rarely going to pass.”
This made life tricky for Smith who
revealed in Heads Up, his recent
autobiography, that the arrival of
Wright at Arsenal in 1991 undermined
his confidence with his devil-may-
care brilliance. There was not room
for two top strikers. Wright arrived
and stole the mantle.
“He was extrovert,” Smith tells The
Times, “and I was a bit intimidated,
which was mad really as I’d won two
Smith said that Wright’s arrival at
Arsenal made him a worse goalscorer
Golden Boots. It got worse and worse.
The chances I did get, I didn’t take as
many as I would have, so it was a
miserable time.”
Michael Owen reveals in his
autobiography, published last week,
that the emergence of Wayne Rooney
during the 2004 European
Championship shattered his status as
the alpha male in the England team.
The former Liverpool striker simply
could not cope with Rooney scoring
the goals even if it was Owen who
provided the assists, a crisis
of confidence that does
not surprise Dr Mark
Nesti, reader in
psychology in sport at
Liverpool John Moores
University.
Nesti has spent 25
years working with
Premier League clubs
and has amassed 250
in-depth player profiles.
Strikers, he says, were
the hardest to deal with.
“They are individual
performers who
happen to be playing a
team sport,” Nesti
says. “But you need
Sturridge, right, and
Suárez hit 52 goals in
total in one season
FGM Thursday September 12 2019 | the times
to have people like this. They might
have got farther than they should
Mané, left,
made clear his
have done given their technical
deficiencies. They might not be great
frustration at
Salah’s failure
footballers, but they probably think to pass to him
they are, and they can destroy
otherwise superb players with ugly
against Burnley
when he was
banter if they are out of form.
“They need to be handled very
taken off later
in the game
carefully, they can be toxic.”
The fallout from the Mané tantrum
“could be nothing or, in three weeks’
time, we could see a complete
fracture,” Nesti says.
“Strikers have control over the most
important thing: scoring. Everything
has to revolve around them. The
justification for that is, without that
trait, if they miss two or three
chances they will go and hide. They
were the least self-aware. They don’t
want to think about the rest of the
team. Their strike partner needs to
know that won’t change. If you get
two of them that are the same, then
the team is in big trouble.
“Coaches, if they are good, are good
psychologists and will know that if
you have got two of that personality
type it’s impossible for them to play
side by side. There is always the No 1;
the other forward has to complement
him. The lead striker is the least
flexible member of the team.”
It is remarkable, then, that so many
strike partnerships do flourish. One of
the most productive and aesthetically
pleasing was that between Luis Suárez
and Daniel Sturridge at Liverpool in
the 2013-14 season, in which
the Uruguayan scored 31 goals
and the former Chelsea striker
got 21. The duo worked
beautifully, but arguably the
“
most vital factor behind their
success was that when am going to pass you the ball and if
Sturridge arrived he did not I’m free, I expect the same from you.
try to swipe the alpha-male “I would consider myself an
mantle. unselfish striker. I see the other striker
“Luis spoke and pass to whoever is in a better
English quite well,” position. This was one of the things Sturridge and Suárez
Sturridge says, “and
he knew he was the main man. I
we agreed upon in the beginning.”
The partnership sometimes
clicked immediately at
just wanted to go out there and perplexed the pundits. It appeared as Liverpool — they spoke
help. I had my own aspirations though once Suárez had scored a
and I knew he would help me and couple of goals thanks to Sturridge to each other in Spanish
ensure I got space on the pitch. I
wouldn’t say I went out of my way
then he would go out of his way to set
up his partner — and vice versa.
on the pitch to keep
to make him feel I was almost less Sturridge confirms it. opposition defenders in
than him but I made him feel I was “I felt we wanted the other to be
there to help him. If you’re free, I successful, we were playing for the the dark
the times | Thursday September 12 2019 FGM 59

Sport

strikers form lethal partnerships? PAUL CURRIE/BPI/REX

It’s all about No 1 if goals are your game

selfish and worked
Tony relentlessly on his
Cascarino finishing to the point that
managers were afraid to
Comment drop him. Even if he did
not touch the ball for half
season and want to outdo
the other this time
around, and that is good
for the team. It creates
competition in your own
camp, it makes players
given the pass. Mané was
angry about Salah’s
selfishness against
Burnley but strikers, even
if they apologise, will not
really mean it. You can be

I n my first game for

Marseilles I grabbed
the ball when a
penalty was awarded even
though I had not been
put on penalty duty. I
scored. I needed to score.
I was vulnerable and
unknown in my new
dressing room and felt I
had to be selfish, to
immediately make my
mark, no matter what my
team-mates might have
thought about it.
It took me a long time
to realise just how
selfishly I had to behave
to be an effective striker.
Before I left for France it
seemed like I had been
undermined at club and
country, with John
Aldridge scoring for fun
with Ireland and Clive
Allen doing the same for
Chelsea. Wherever I
looked, in training or in
the games, I was being
outshone by strikers who
were more selfish than me.
Allen was unbelievably
an hour he could
somehow pop up to grab
a winner.
Aldridge could be the
worst player in a game,
whether it was five-a-side
or 11-a-side, but he’d still
score three goals. It was
what he lived for. David
Connolly, the former
Ireland forward, is now
an analyst for this paper
and, honestly, we have a
closer partnership than
we had on the field.
Connolly would never
pass if he could score but
it’s a trait you have to
have and it makes the
team better.
The meaningful rivalry
is in the dressing room,
not a fabricated
competitiveness such as
the one between Lionel
Messi and Cristiano
Ronaldo. Sadio Mané and
Mohamed Salah each
scored 22 goals last
Sheringham was ruthless but
got the best out of Cole, right
train harder if they feel
the need to be top dog.
Mané has become more
selfish since joining
Liverpool from
Southampton three years
ago and Jürgen Klopp
will love that.
It will be water off a
duck’s back to the selfish
striker if their fellow
forwards start throwing
their shirt at them, or
kicking a water bottle in
frustration at the fact that
they could have scored if
sure that they will avoid
the pass again soon.
Teddy Sheringham is
four years younger than
me but he made me a
better striker when we
were at Millwall. He
would make snide
remarks, ask me if I was
going to score today. He
was selfish but managed
to get the best out of his
strike partner. He played
alongside Les Ferdinand,
Alan Shearer, Dwight
Yorke and Andy Cole and
he was the main reason
they were successful. At
Spurs, Jürgen Klinsmann
loved Sheringham’s
ruthless competitiveness.
It is no coincidence
that Wayne Rooney
played his best
football alongside
Ronaldo at
Manchester United, and
when would Ronaldo ever
pass when he could
shoot? The best
partnerships are where
selfishness is rife.

greater good,” he says. It must have
helped, too, that theirs was not a
partnership that required much fine-
tuning. “There wasn’t much work for
us to do,” Sturridge says. “It just kind
of happened. From the first training
session we were doing overs, letting
the ball run between your legs, and
we started to speak about how we
could do this in Spanish to keep the
opposition in the dark.
“He tended to go to the left and I
tended to go to the right so in essence
we would end up going towards the
goal and one of us would be free for
cut-backs. It just clicked.”
The other famous SAS partnership
was one that took Blackburn Rovers
to title glory in 1995. Alan Shearer
was leading scorer, ably assisted by
Chris Sutton, who has admitted that
while he wanted to be the top striker,
he could cope with being the
understudy but doubted Shearer
could have handled that role.
Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham
were an effective partnership for
Manchester United and yet disliked
each other intensely, with Cole having
admitted to “a lingering animosity”
after he thought Sheringham snubbed
him when he made his England debut
in 1995, coming on for Sheringham
against Uruguay. “You have two
strikers there who didn’t like each
other on a social level but on a task
level have a common purpose,” Dr
Andrew Evans, lecturer in sports
psychology at Salford University, says.
Evans argues that clubs can only
absorb the presence of a selfish ego if
his team-mates accept his usefulness
“or it drains the team cohesion”.
The most high-profile strikers tend
to have contracts that give them a
bonus not just for goals but for their
assist rate too. It is as though clubs
are trying to dampen the intensity of
selfishness, aware that goal-only
bonuses can lead to indignation
among the squad. Salah, for example,
last season earned an extra
£2.5 million for reaching his combined
goal and assist bonus according to
Der Spiegel’s Football Leaks.
A Premier League manager told
Nesti that he wanted a dressing room
of players on between £100,000 to
£150,000 a week, whose salaries were
so exorbitant that money was barely a
motivating factor, for whom creating
and scoring goals was the key driver.
The alpha striker will never care
about his assist rate.
For Sturridge, now at Trabzonspor,
it would be naive to expect strike
partners to be close pals.
“We’d be living in a fairytale if we
believed that everyone gets along”, he
says. “Not everyone in a law firm or
whatever business will have a great
relationship but if you make magic
happen doing your job, that’s all that
matters.”
the ego of a striker
Part of talkSPORT’s GameDay from 11am
on Saturday with Michael Owen, Clinton
Morrison, Les Ferdinand and Tony Cottee
60 FGM Thursday September 12 2019 | the times

Sport Football

Messi has long occupied summit –

but Sterling is driven to replace him
be better with the mentality of the players or the
Henry Winter way that we’ve set the week out, he’ll
thoughtfully put ideas across; he doesn’t just sit
and complain.
“I noticed, over the last 24 hours especially,
he spent a lot of time with Jadon. That was
Chief Football Writer probably quite a comfort [for Sancho]. I can
speak as the coach, but there’ll be more depth to
that if your fellow winger, who’s been at the

S
earching for a more influential figure
than Raheem Sterling across the
broad acres of English sport right
now is a task bordering on the
impossible. Few can rival the
forward’s combined impact on and off the
field: winning titles with Manchester City;
proving the catalyst who stirs England into
exciting life; mentoring young players;
campaigning powerfully on racism,
education and employment opportunities,
giving hope to the disadvantaged and
disenfranchised.
“We’re lucky to have him,” Gareth
Southgate said. England’s manager was
reflecting on the 24-year-old’s talismanic effect
on his side after he delivered one of his most
accomplished international performances in
the 5-3 defeat of Kosovo at St Mary’s on
Tuesday, certainly matching his stellar two-
goal display against Spain in Seville last year.
Always alive to his players’ societal sway,
Southgate could also have been talking
about how lucky the country is to have
Sterling. It was even put to Southgate, sitting
in the Southampton boardroom with its
wonderful framed Mick Channon shirt
from the 1976 FA Cup final, that Sterling
was a “national treasure”. He was also
asked whether Sterling could reach the
pinnacle so long occupied by Lionel Messi,
and even replace him.
Let us not get carried away. Messi is a
name for the ages, for the world. Sterling is a
fabulous talent, a man and footballer for the
country to be proud of, but he is still on the
rise, and we should just sit back and admire
his ascent.
It is only Kosovo, only a qualifier, but his
journey inspires such esteem. He fought
through hardship in his formative years, the loss
of his father and the uncertainty of often not
knowing where his family were staying that
night, and then as a professional in the public
eye dealing with deeply personal criticism, and
coping with the fallout of his ill-handled exit
from Liverpool.
At Euro 2016, he described himself as the
“hated one”. At the 2018 World Cup, Sterling’s
place in the England team was questioned by
some fans. Now they cry out for his shirt, boots
and autograph.
They respect somebody who has been
through a storm, who must have felt the world
was against him at times, yet emerged stronger,
betraying no bitterness, just humility, and a
desire to carry on rising. They appreciate his
skill and the strength he showed riding Kosovan
tackles. They love his attitude of going again
and again, whatever the scoreline.
Southgate argued that players can always
“look outstanding” when leading comfortably. A
How hotshots compare
Sterling Since Aug 2018 Messi
65 Games 58
39 Goals 54
19 Assists 20
138 Min/goal 86
282 Min/assist 232
150 Total shots 284
80 On target 137
Shooting
53.3 48.2
accuracy (%)
All competitions for club and country
truer test of character comes when the scoreline Cup — there’s no hiding from that. He didn’t
makes grimmer reading. deserve to feel that way, so it’s lovely to see the
“At 0-0 against Bulgaria, at 1-0 down against recognition he’s getting and how much extra
Kosovo, he’s grabbed the game by the scruff of that’s bringing out of him. He got the goals in
the neck. When there was no space at Wembley, Spain. It was such a huge weight lifted.”
he was the one to open things up,” Southgate Sterling’s superb form has been shaped by
said. When Kosovo took an early lead at St feeling settled at City, learning from Pep
Mary’s, Sterling organised the response. Guardiola, enjoying fatherhood and a natural
The fans — reconnected with the team after desire to help the many tyros thrusting through
a painful period of froideur in the wake of the from academies and junior England age-groups,
Iceland disaster at Euro 2016 — particularly such as Jadon Sancho. The realisation in Seville
warm to Sterling’s embodiment of what they, that he really did belong at the highest level
and Southgate, crave most from England: no accelerated the maturing process. Captaining
fear, no easing up. England’s mood music has England for the first time, against Holland in the
changed from jeers to cheers. Nations League semi-final in Guimarães in
“It’s lovely to see the shift in the public June, reflected his standing, and accentuated it.
opinion of him,” Southgate said. “We’ve always “He’s just a player that’s playing full of
picked him. There have been times where he’s confidence, wants to be involved in everything,
not played well and we’ve taken him off and showing real maturity around the camp,”
that’s been the right thing, but he’s always been Southgate said. “When I have the leadership
integral to the way we want to play. group in, he’s very clear but thoughtful in his
“He did come home a bit sad after the World opinions. If there are things that he thinks can
same club as you and has been through what
you’re going to go through [dealing with fame],
can talk to you. That’s far more powerful. It will
have helped him settle into the game.”
Many of the players look up to Sterling’s
willingness to speak out, including calling the
media out. “He was very forthright in his
social media posts that raised
everybody’s awareness and made us
all think, which was very mature
and impressive,” Southgate said.
“That’s still a brave thing to
decide that, ‘Right, I’m going to
own that space and I’m going to put my own
views across.’ But those views represent many as
well, so he’s aware of the power of his voice,
but he also doesn’t waste it. He’s used it at the
right times in a really impressive way. And, at
the same time, he rose to the challenge with
his club, with new signings [like Bernardo
Silva, Leroy Sané and Riyad Mahrez]
coming in.”
And as to the possibility of rising to the
level of Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?
Southgate could see the headline forming
like a hurricane but didn’t duck too far out
of the way. “Well, in terms of, ‘Can he
fulfil it?’ it’s a bit like I talked about
Harry Kane the other day [chasing
Wayne Rooney’s scoring record of 53
goals], he’ll give himself every chance
of doing that.
“There are obviously some
outstanding players around, the [Eden]
Hazards, the [Kevin] De Bruynes, the
two you’ve mentioned. But he will give
himself every chance because he’s
got the drive, the professionalism,
the ability and he’s physically and
mentally strong for such a small
statured lad. It was hysterical
the other day, him and 6ft 2in
Joe Gomez had a shoulder-to-shoulder moment.
And of course, they were bantering about it for
the rest of the week.
“He is physically strong, so he is so hard to
knock off the ball. A couple of the turns where
his awareness of where the [Kosovo] defender
was and then be flying at the opposition . . .”
Southgate tailed off, almost lost in admiration.
“If you look at the reaction of the crowd when
he gets the ball and the excitement young and
old have, watching him play . . .” Southgate said.
“He’s now a two-time Premier League winner,
so the honours are starting to stack up. And all
that’s done is give him the hunger to go on
further. I never sensed with either title win —
when he came in to the camp at the end of the
season — that he felt his season was done. He
was on to the next thing. The rest of the players
see that mentality and it has a big impression on
them. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Walk-off debate resumes as England fear Bulgarian racism

Paul Joyce
England’s players are to discuss the
option of walking off the pitch should
they be subjected to racist abuse in the
Euro 2020 qualifier with Bulgaria.
Gareth Southgate will hold talks with
his squad before the October 14 trip to
Sofia’s Vasil Levski national stadium, a
section of which will be closed after
Uefa found home supporters guilty of
racist behaviour in matches against the
Czech Republic and Kosovo in June.
“We’re not confident that we’ll go
there and nothing will happen,” South-
gate said.
It emerged yesterday that a Bulgaria
supporter was ejected from Wembley
on Saturday for allegedly racially
abusing Raheem Sterling during the
home side’s 4-0 victory.
Sterling, who did not hear the abuse,
and Southgate were informed after-
wards that a steward had heard a man
using racist language. He was later
released without charge by the police.
In the event of experiencing further
bigotry, Southgate wants England’s
stance to be united and, previously, his
players have felt that walking off the
pitch would be counterproductive,
preferring to allow Uefa to tackle the
issue.
Sterling responded to abuse directed
at him in the 5-1 win in Montenegro in
March by putting his hands to his ears
after scoring and later said, “if you walk
off, they win”.
Montenegro were subsequently
ordered by Uefa to play a game behind
closed doors, and fined €20,000
(£18,000). “It is a concern,” Southgate
said. “We’ve planned what our schedule
looks like and we’re going to discuss it
with the players before we go, because
we’re aware that there is history there
and we want to make sure that we’re all
prepared for what may happen and
how we want to respond.
“So, we are going to address that
when we all get back together. We
didn’t think it was right to do it this
month because it’s too far away from
the games, but we have to hope . . .”
In the event of racism being reported
in a game, Uefa protocol is for a stadium
announcement to be made. If such
behaviour continues, the referee has
the option of stopping and then
abandoning the game.
Ashley Young, Theo Walcott and
Ashley Cole were subjected to monkey
chants when England last played in the
Bulgarian capital in September 2011.
The Bulgarian FA was fined €40,000.
Uefa’s latest investigation means a
section of 5,000 seats will be closed in
the 46,340 capacity arena. A banner
with the wording #EqualGame will be
placed there instead.
the times | Thursday September 12 2019
Bitter taste for
Zaha from the
dream transfer
that never was
Matt Lawton looks at
how the breakdown in
relationship between
the Palace star and
his agent unfolded
It was one of the transfer sagas of
the summer, causing understandable
alarm among Crystal Palace supporters
Wilfried Zaha, who joined the club
aged 12 and has done more than any
other player to keep the club in English
football’s top division for the longest
spell in their history, was determined to
force a transfer to one of the Premier
League’s “big six”.
The same fans had already seen
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Palace’s other
outstanding recent youth graduate,
join Manchester United for £50 million.
Now they feared Zaha, a winger so gift-
ed that Graeme Souness has said he
should be playing for Real Madrid
or Barcelona,
would inevitably
be heading to
Arsenal or even,
as the saga un-
folded, Everton.
At 26, Zaha
appears to be in
his prime and he
began the sum-
mer as Arsenal
head coach Unai
Emery’s main
transfer target.
Guiding Zaha’s
career, but firmly in the background,
has been a 38-year-old former golf club
professional who has taken the world of
football agents by storm. Will Salt-
house has become a prominent figure
in the English game, with his agency
Unique Sports Management (USM)
representing some of the biggest names
in the Premier League; among them
England captain Harry Kane.
And part of the success Salthouse has
enjoyed has been built on the strong re-
lationship not only with his clients but
with senior executives at football clubs.
continued from back
England door still open for Vardy
26 England appearances, turns 33 in
January and does not fit that youthful
brief but Southgate refused to rule him
out of his plans.
“With Tammy, he’s a young player
that we’ve always liked, we know he’ll
score goals,” the England manager said.
“We felt it was a bit early this time but
we can see that he can offer us some-
thing moving forward. We need to
make certain that he feels the opportu-
nity is going to be there. I’m pretty sure
he does.
“With Jamie, it’s obvious how well
he’s still playing and the discussion we
had at the time with him was always,
‘Look, neither of us close the door.’
There’s no point in him travelling if he
wasn’t going to be starting at his age,
and I can understand that. The door
isn’t closed because he’s still a top player
FGM
He has a strong bond with West Ham
United’s co-chairman David Sullivan,
their relationship enhanced by USM’s
generous shirt sponsorship of the
women’s team at West Ham that is run
by Sullivan’s son, Jack.
Good relations also exist with Cardiff
City, helped no doubt by the fact that
James Warnock — the son of Cardiff
manager Neil — is an agent with USM.
But perhaps Salthouse’s most impor-
tant contact is Steve Parish, the Palace
chairman and someone whom he has
encountered in various transfer deals in
and out of Selhurst Park.
According to Companies House
documents, the two have been share-
holders in a business called Dirty Bird
Restaurants along with a number of
current and former players.
The relationships between Salt-
house, Parish and Zaha were at the
heart of the summer saga, especially as
Zaha felt Parish should acknowledge it
was time for him to be allowed to move
on, given his contribution to the club’s
recent history. To
add another di-
mension, Zaha’s
brother Serge has
worked for USM.
In the eyes of Pal-
ace supporters,
Parish’s success
in keeping a
player who
agreed a new
£130,0000-a-
week contract in
2018 is a chair-
man doing a fine
job for his club.
Ultimately, both Parish and Salt-
house would no doubt argue that the
reason for the collapse of the deal was
the failure by Arsenal and Everton to
make acceptable offers.
It was in April that Zaha gave an in-
terview to the Daily Mail in which he
said he wanted to play for a club in the
Champions League. And one imagines
confirmation by the end of June that
Wan-Bissaka would be joining United
in a deal brokered by USM only con-
vinced Zaha that he too needed a move.
Arsenal appeared the only top-six
and still scoring important goals. He’s
a character we’ve liked having around
as well.”
Southgate reiterated that playing
regularly at club level is key to starting
for England. Joe Gomez caught the eye
in the Nations League against Switzer-
land in June but has not appeared for
Liverpool since the Super Cup win over
Chelsea last month. Joël Matip has
been partnering Virgil van Dijk in
central defence and Gomez’s lack of
playing time allowed Everton’s Michael
Keane to start the Euro 2020 qualifiers
against Bulgaria and Kosovo.
Keane’s mistake in gifting Kosovo a
goal after 34 seconds of Tuesday’s game
left him under renewed scrutiny, yet
unless Gomez forces his way into the
Liverpool line-up, or John Stones
proves he is back to his best after injury
at Manchester City, England’s options
in central defence will be limited.
15
Wilfried Zaha has been
involved in 15 Premier
League goals since the
start of last season (10
goals, 5 assists) — more
than any Crystal
Palace player
Zaha had been an Arsenal target after tormenting them in April, above, but after negotiations involving Salthouse, below
right, he stayed at Palace. Far left, Zaha is seen enjoying time with Parish on his yacht after agreeing a new deal last year
club seriously interested in Zaha as
the summer unfolded, but they re-
portedly wanted to pay in instal-
ments over a number of years in a
deal similar to the one they struck
with Lille to sign Nicholas Pépé for a
club record £72 million.
It left Everton as the only
serious option. Not exactly a
Champions League club but
still, in Zaha’s eyes at least, a step
up. So much so that he finally
put in a formal transfer request,
only for the bid from Goodison
Park — believed to be in the
region of £50 million — to be
turned down.
When the new season
started Roy Hodgson ex-
pressed his delight that Zaha
remained part of his squad,
even if he did then reveal that
London house raided as agent is arrested
Martyn Ziegler Chief Sports Reporter
Transfers involving players who moved
to two Premier League clubs are part of
a corruption investigation in Belgium,
as part of which a football agent has
been arrested and a London property
searched.
The investigation involves transfers
of players from Anderlecht, including
Romelu Lukaku’s move to Chelsea in
2011 and Leander Dendoncker’s signing
by Wolverhampton Wanderers last
season. The sale of Youri Tielemans to
Monaco in 2017 — he is now at Leices-
ter City — is also under investigation.
Belgian media have reported that
prosecutors are investigating allega-
tions that sweeteners were paid to an
Anderlecht official as a “thank you” for
facilitating the deals. There is no
suggestion that the English clubs were
involved in any wrongdoing.
The agent Christophe Henrotay was
arrested in Monaco, with his assistant
arrested in Liège. Henrotay has
previously denied any wrongdoing.
Henrotay has a business in London,
World Image & Scouting Services, with
its registered address in the City. The
firm involved refused to comment
when asked if its premises had been
searched. House searches have taken
place over the past two days, with four
properties raided in Monaco, two in the
Liège region and the one in London.
“The facts involve, notably, money-
laundering operations and private cor-
61
Sport
EDDIE KEOGH/REUTERS
“his beef is with the chairman and
owners of the club because he’s wanted
to leave and they haven’t received the
offer that they think is sufficient to
allow him to leave”.
Parish, meanwhile, told the Daily
Mail that he would be only too
happy to see a player he has
watched excel for Palace for the
best part of ten years achieve
his dream. He said that he
hoped he would get the “happy
ending” he desires.
But the situation seems far from
happy right now. Zaha has moved
to terminate his relationship with
Salthouse, with the FA informed
that there is now a dispute
between an agent and one of his
stellar clients, and clearly remains
most unhappy that he is still at
Selhurst Park.
ruption in the context of football player
transfers,” the Belgium prosecutor’s
office said in a statement.
Henrotay has been detained for
questioning by local police in Monaco.
but in the presence of a Belgian investi-
gating judge. In April, the Belgian FA
headquarters was searched as part
of an investigation into suspected
money-laundering related to transfers
including Anderlecht’s sale of the
Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrovic to
Newcastle United in 2015.
The inquiry is separate from Belgi-
um’s “footballgate” scandal, which has
resulted in 20 suspects being charged
since October 2018, including agents,
referees and club officials, in relation to
fraud and match-fixing.
62 FGM Thursday September 12 2019 | the times

Sport
Sport The Ashes

Clear thinking needed – a win

Mike Atherton Teams for the fifth Test at the Kia Oval
England Age Caps Runs Avg 100s Wkts Ave
Two under
Chief Cricket
Correspondent
R Burns Surrey
J Denly Kent
J Root Yorkshire, capt
29
33
28
11
7
85
635
349
6,965
28.86
24.92
1
0
48.03 16
—
—
—
—
21 51.52
pressure
As we enter the season of mists and
B Stokes Durham
J Bairstow Yorkshire, wkt
J Buttler Lancashire
28
29
29
56
68
35
3,506
3,984
1,852
35.41
35.57
33.07
8
6
1
135 32.71
—
—
—
—
– and one
mellow fruitfulness, there is a slightly
deflated feel at the Kia Oval. The
ground had been gearing up for an epic
S Curran Surrey
C Woakes Warwickshire
J Archer Sussex
21
30
24
10
30
3
509
1,137
36
31.81
29.15
7.20
0
1
0
18 30.05
87 30.85
16 19.87
dropped
finale to the summer, a match to add S Broad Nottinghamshire 33 131 3,137 19.01 1 463 28.68
lustre to the rich history here that has J Leach Somerset 28 8 172 19.11 0 28 27.39
seen England captains such as Len
Australia
Hutton and Michael Vaughan regain
D Warner New South Wales 32 78 6,442 46.01 21 4 67.25
the Ashes to great and joyous acclaim.
M Harris Victoria 27 8 373 26.64 0 — —
It was not to be. Joe Root will not be
M Labuschagne Queensland 25 8 501 38.53 0 10 26.90
joining his illustrious Yorkshire
S Smith NSW 30 67 6,870 64.81 26 17 55.76
predecessors. There will be no climax to
M Wade Tasmania 31 26 1,087 27.87 3 — —
match last year, when Alastair Cook bid
M Marsh Western Australia 27 31 1,219 25.39 2 35 43.91
a grand farewell.
P Cummins NSW 26 24 590 19.03 0 118 21.08
Nor is there the feel of Ashes past,
T Paine Tasmania, wkt, capt 34 25 1,142 32.62 0 — —
though, when Australia had already
P Siddle Victoria 34 66 1,133 14.52 0 219 30.42
won series convincingly, leading to
M Starc NSW 29 52 1,434 22.76 0 215 28.26
England victories on this ground in
J Hazlewood NSW 28 47 396 12.77 0 182 26.13
1993 and 1997, for example, which,
N Lyon NSW 31 90 977 12.21 0 359 32.44
while rousing, were also hollow. The
Ashes are done, but the series remains Bairstow: Underperforming
alive: Tim Paine is desperate to become Umpires
the first captain for 18 years to lead Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka) and Marais Erasmus (SA). In 2016, Bairstow scored the most
Australia to victory here, while TV Ruchira Palliyaguruge (Sri Lanka). Match referee Javagal Srinath (India). runs (1,470) in a calendar year by a
England’s players want to send their wicketkeeper-batsman. In the three
coach Trevor Bayliss on his way with Series details seasons since, he has struggled,
his unbeaten series record at home First Test (Edgbaston): Australia won by 251 runs. Second Test (Lord’s): Draw. scoring 1,549 runs
intact. There is a lot to play for. Third Test (Headingley): England won by one wicket. 1,500 60
Not least because it feels like a water- Fourth Test (Old Trafford): Australia won by 185 runs Average
shed moment. Next summer, English (right scale)
1,200 50
cricket will have a different feel, with
a city-based short-form competition this week about wanting to crack it at Craig Overton, which makes sense to
vying for our attention and a new coach Test level. Words and actions are two me. Overton batted with great 900 40
in attendance, to begin another four- different things, though. How badly character in the second innings at Old
year cycle, with Twenty20 and 50-over does he want to knuckle down and Trafford but lacks quality as a Test 600 30
World Cups and a World Test scrap for runs? Is he capable of so bowler, being neither quick enough, Runs
Championship at stake. Candidates will doing? Sadly, for him, we won’t find out accurate enough nor skilful enough. (left scale)
20
be looking on, watching, wondering more this week on his home ground, For Woakes, there are questions about 300
about this curious, curate’s egg of a Test because Stokes’s shoulder injury leaves his workload across formats, the effects
team, which remains in flux and open to him as a specialist batsman, meaning a of that on a longstanding knee issue, 0 10
challenge and debate. deserved return for Chris Woakes and a and how effective he is abroad. 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
It has been hard to discern any real rest for Roy. As a result, the Surrey Curran? After a highly encouraging
improvement in it during Bayliss’s batsman’s place is vulnerable for the start in Test cricket last year, he has
tenure and the new coach, whoever
that is, may decide upon a completely
different direction. How many players,
for example, can claim to be certain
tour to New Zealand in the autumn and
it is unclear how much first-class
cricket he will be able to play in the
crowded schedule to improve.
slipped from view somewhat. From
opening the bowling in the Bridgetown
Test in January, he has yet to appear
this summer. Do England see him as a
32
Times he has been
picks across formats? Probably three: Also back is Sam Curran, in place of bowler who bats, or the other way bowled in Test cricket in
Root, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer. around? Curran is not the only player 119 innings. The most of
How many can claim to be automatic who fancies a place in the batting order any active player
Test selections? Add Stuart Broad and Lucy between Nos 6 and 8.
James Anderson, when fit, to that num- Verasamy Then those two wicketkeepers,
ber. Beyond the settled one-day team, it Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler, who
leaves a lot of uncertainty elsewhere. remain something of an enigma.
The openers, Rory Burns and Joe Bairstow, so powerful as an opener in
Denly, have done enough to lay claim to @LucyWeather one-day cricket, is a reluctant specialist
an extended stay. At the moment, batsman in Tests. In the past two years
Burns looks as close to establishing he has averaged below 30 in five-day
himself as any who have been tried in Summer is set to return for the most cricket, which is not good enough for a
the past few years. Denly, too, has had pleasant weather of the series. wicketkeeper-batsman, never mind a
his moments but remains vulnerable Expect a notable but manageable specialist top-order player. He will be at
to a new coach coming in with a desire breeze today. It will feel increasingly No 5 this Test, with more scrutiny on a
to start afresh. After all, how many warm with muggy air. Beautiful blue technique that has led to him being
skies and sunshine continue into the
batsmen improve after the age of 33,
and with a first-class average in the
mid-30s and a Test average in the
mid-20s? Zak Crawley, of Kent, and
weekend and temperatures rise way
above average for the time of year
with 25-26C on Sunday.
bowled more frequently than a
batsman should be.
And Buttler? No 5 at the start of the
series, No 7 at Old Trafford and now at
Root tells axed Roy: Go
Warwickshire’s Dominic Sibley will be No 6, slithering up ladders and down Elizabeth Ammon “Jason has had an opportunity to
watching him with interest this week. snakes. After ten years and 99 first-class come in and play Test cricket and get a
Root himself must be running on Five-day forecast matches he has, going into this game, Joe Root has advised Jason Roy to work feel for it, and it has not gone quite how
empty, having had no break. How will one Test hundred and five first-class hard on improving his batting in red- he would have liked,” Root said. “I am
the next year or two unwind for him? 22C Today centuries. Ollie Pope and Ben Foakes, ball cricket if he wants to make a return sure he will go away and work extreme-
There seems no desire from Ashley Fine with some cloud the Surrey pair, are others who will to the England Test team. ly hard and come again. He is very
Giles, the director of cricket, to find a have half an eye on the Oval this week. Roy has been left out of the team to aware of where he is at and what he
new captain, but Root’s form and ability 21C Tomorrow If this gives a sense of a Test team in face Australia at the Kia Oval because needs to do to get himself in the best
to inspire remain under scrutiny. Will Fine with some cloud crisis, that would be an exaggeration. Ben Stokes will play as a specialist bats- place to perform in Test cricket.”
he continue to seek challenges in An Ashes defeat always brings ques- man, moving up the order to No 4. It Root, who has overseen two succes-
franchised leagues, further adding to 23C Saturday tions bubbling to the surface, though, leaves Roy’s Test future in doubt at the sive Ashes failures but is expected to be
his workload? Will England deem him Sunny for the captain and players uncertain of end of a series, his first in the longest retained as Test captain, hinted at
surplus to requirements for their T20 their place, of whom there are too many format, in which he averaged only 13.75. changes to the England team for the
World Cup campaign, allowing him 26C Sunday in this team. That is the biggest motiva- The 29-year-old Surrey batsman was winter tours to New Zealand, South
time to refresh and refocus? England’s Sunny tor of all, as the international summer picked for the Ashes as a result of his Africa and Sri Lanka, the latter two of
best batsman has been overshadowed winds down: a drawn series will damp- form at the World Cup, but Root said which will count towards the new
this summer and could do with a 22C Monday en speculation and allow an easier that it had become clear there were World Test Championship standings.
barnstorming finish. Sunny transition to the winter tours; a heavy areas in which Roy needed to improve Root said he had a “clear vision” for how
Jason Roy made encouraging noises defeat will only add to the uncertainty. if he wants to regain his Test place. he wanted to revive the team’s fortunes.
the times | Thursday September 12 2019
this week won’t mask failings
Roy: Axed
13.75
Batting average
in the series (110 runs).
runs) In
the World Cup, he scored
443 runs at 63.28
229
Balls faced in
eight Ashes innings
and work on your red-ball batting
Could this be only the sixth drawn series in Ashes history?
England, 1938...............1-1
Australia retain Ashes
With Australia leading
1-0, Len Hutton hit 364
in a first-innings total of
903 for seven. England
won by an innings.
Australia, 1962-63.......1-1
Australia retain Ashes
England ran out of time
chasing 356 in the
fourth Test, while Bill
Lawry helped Australia
to a draw in the fifth.
FGM
Australia, 1965-66......1-1
Australia retain Ashes
Geoffrey Boycott, Bob
Barber and John Edrich
piled on 372 runs in the
third Test to set up an
innings victory, only for
Australia to do likewise
in the fourth.
England, 1968..............1-1
Australia retain Ashes
Trailing 1-0 after a loss
and three successive
draws, England won by
Buttler: Unproven in Tests
226 runs thanks to first-
innings centuries by
John Edrich and Basil
D’Oliveira and seven
second-innings wickets
from Derek Underwood.
England, 1972..............2-2
England retain Ashes
Despite the urn already
being in English hands,
Ian Chappell and his
brother Greg hit
centuries in the fifth
Test to earn victory.
England v
Australia
Kia Oval, today 11am
TV: Sky Sports
Main Event, 10am
Highlights: Channel 5, 7pm
Radio: BBC 5 Live
Sports Extra
16.25
His average
in this series
53
innings in the top seven
for one century. Only
Temba Bavuma (one in 59)
has batted as many times
in the top seven since
Buttler’s debut in 2014
for as few
centuries
“In terms of my own captaincy, I
know the direction I want to take this
team and it is about starting now and
not after this series,” he said. “It is
important we win this game and have a
really strong winter. In terms of person-
nel, things might change, as they have
done for a while but we have to focus on
the core group of players that can lead
this team forward then build from that.
We have to use the next two years to
focus on putting in a winning tour to
Australia.
“Its bitterly disappointing not to have
got the Ashes back, but we haven’t lost
anything yet. We’ve got to make sure
we square the series up. And there’s the
Test championship points to play for,
which could make a huge difference”.
Half Australia side
fighting for careers
Gideon Haigh
O
n the eve of the fifth Test
at the Oval in 1972, Ian
Chappell put a
proposition to his
Australia team-mates.
The side had played good
cricket, won the Lord’s Test
convincingly, but, after
coming up against Derek
Underwood on a pitch
mysteriously tailored to his skills, had
left the Ashes behind.
What did they think? Didn’t tying
the series up 2-2 sound a bloody sight
better than losing 3-1? Murmurs of
assent convinced Chappell that the
message had been absorbed, and
Australia duly surged. Ian and brother
Greg made hundreds, Dennis Lillee
took ten wickets, and the Test match,
the first from England ever broadcast
live in Australia, kept their
countrymen captivated.
The Ian Chappell speech is now Joe
Root’s to make before an Oval Test.
Margins do matter, for reasons
generally of morale, but also now the
World Test Championship, the ICC’s
feeble squib of a competition — an
active discouragement of any series
longer than two Tests, a window
dressing on ICC members’ ambitions
to make the world safe for domestic
Twenty20.
Anyway, England have slumped to
fifth in this worthless table, led by
India, who have twice as many points
as anyone else on the basis of winning
two Tests. A win at the Oval would
restore them to equal fourth. It also
does not seem terribly likely. They
have stuck by the same brittle squad,
the same basic formula, a captain
running on fumes and a coach eyeing
his superannuation. Also only five of
70 Ashes series have ever been drawn.
For whatever reason, perhaps the
five-Test duration, Australia v
England tends towards emphatic
margins, decided ascendancies.
That leaves Australia with the
initiative, and what shapes as five
reasonable days’ weather in which to
assert it. This is far from a “dead Test”
as far as Tim Paine’s team is
concerned. For roughly half the side,
it may be among the more important
of their careers.
Nathan Lyon has had a curious
time since his match-winning burst at
Edgbaston, paying more than 60 runs
a wicket, wearing out his callouses
with the effort. For a slow bowler with
such a splendid record, Lyon still
experiences phases of tense
ineffectuality, where he grows
hurrying and mechanical.
None of Travis Head, Matthew
Wade, Marcus Harris, Cameron
Bancroft or even Usman Khawaja has
made a case that they were better
top-order selections than Joe Burns
or Kurtis Patterson, who missed out
at the last muster. At times, Australia’s
batting has looked to be composed of
Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne
63
Sport
Sport
and four crash-test dummies. Mitchell
Marsh gets his chance here at Head’s
expense. In their defence, the balance
of the order have battled away
willingly, in a way that, for example,
the 2015 Australians frequently did
not. In significantly adverse
conditions at Lord’s and Headingley,
the line-up endured sufficiently long
to make the best of things. Footwork
is decidedly lacking in this top six;
fortitude is not. But even Ashes-
winning sides don’t necessarily go
forward together. Just ask George
Bailey, dumped from the team that
whitewashed England in 2013-14,
never to return.
Then there is David Warner, the
hunter become the hunted, in some
ways as fascinating a figure this
summer as Smith in his eclipse by
Stuart Broad. Twice he has
succumbed to last-instant decisions to
let the ball go; thrice he has been
beaten on the inside edge. A map of
his series would resemble an accident
black spot. The paucity of his runs
has been one thing; a further
difficulty has been the brevity of his
innings. A dictum of his old partner
Chris Rogers was that an opener
could do a job with a score of between
ten and 20 if they happened to see
out an opening spell, protected the
middle order from premature
exposure. Save at Headingley, Warner
has failed to do even that.
The Australians look set to stick
with him, rightly. “[He] hasn’t got the
runs he wants at present but, jeez, I’m
looking forward to seeing it when he
does — and there’s no better place to
bat than the Oval,” averred his coach,
Justin Langer, on Monday.
Indeed, it was at the Oval four
years ago that Warner played one of
his best and least-remembered Test
innings: 85 in nearly three and a half
hours, keeping Broad wicketless in a
period of ominous conditions.
This remains his best score in a
dozen Tests in England in which he
has averaged 27.6. The contrast
between his away record (five
hundreds in 38 Tests at an average of
33.9) and his home/neutral record (16
hundreds in 40 Tests at an average of
60) is likewise a key artefact of
Australia’s miserable record on the
road these past six years. The home
summer, however, now beckons, and
series against Pakistan and New
Zealand, opponents on whom Warner
has feasted before.
What seems lacking most of all in
his cricket has been a regular partner,
which he has struggled to find since
Rogers’ retirement at that
aforementioned Oval Test. Bancroft’s
passivity and Harris’s flakiness have
not resolved the issue; there is a case
for experiment with Khawaja. Langer,
who played Asterix to Matthew
Hayden’s Obelix for years, knows how
a stable partnership can enrich an
opener’s effectiveness.
Ironically, it will be this set of issues
in the Australian camp that is their
greatest bulwark against
complacency, any sense of the job
being done. There is lots to gain, lots
to prove, and the scoreline of 3-1 will
exercise a powerful allure.
6 Gideon Haigh is a columnist for The
Australian
 FGM Thursday September 12 2019 | the times

Sport Anatomy of a strike partnership

Inside the psychology of
football’s alpha males
Pages 58-59

PHILIP BROWN/POPPERFOTO/GETTY IMAGES

Zaha dumps England door

open for Vardy

agent over
Paul Joyce
Jamie Vardy’s form will be monitored
by England, with Gareth Southgate
saying the door remains open on a
potential international return for the
striker.

failed move summer would have been devastating

exclusive
Matt Lawton Chief Sports Correspondent
Wilfried Zaha has told his agent that he
wants to terminate their contract after
failing to secure a move away from
Crystal Palace in the summer, citing
the agent’s relationship with the club’s
chairman, Steve Parish.
The Times understands that Will
Salthouse, whose agency USM was
involved in some of the biggest transfer
deals of the last window, has been
informed in writing of Zaha’s desire to
end their relationship.
According to sources, the FA has
been informed of a “dispute” between
the forward and his representative.
Contracts between players and agents
are lodged with the governing body.
Zaha, 26, made no secret of his desire
to leave, revealing as much in an inter-
view with the Daily Mail in April. “For
me to be better, to achieve what I know
I am capable of, I have to aim to play at
the very highest level, to win trophies,”
he said. “I’m blessed to have come this
far in my playing career. But I feel like
there is so much more I have to offer.
“I have to experience the Champions
League. I just need the opportunity.”
During the summer window there
was interest in Zaha from Arsenal and
Everton and he made a transfer request
in a bid to secure a move to Everton. But
while USM was involved in the deal
that took his now former team-mate,
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, to Manchester
United for £50 million, Zaha remained
in south-east London.
To lose Zaha and Wan-Bissaka in the
for Palace, possibly even jeopardising
their chances of remaining in the
Premier League this season.
Last month Parish said that Zaha,
who had an unsuccessful spell at
United in 2013, could leave Selhurst
Park with his blessing if the right offer
was made.
“I’ve watched him every week for ten
years so there’s even a bit of me that
wants to see what he can do at a top
club,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to be the
person who stopped that.
“He deserves to get there. I hope it
happens and sometimes it mystifies me
he’s not up there already. We’re lucky to
have him. But if that top club comes
along and the money’s right, he’s an
extraordinary talent and it’s going to be
very difficult for us. It was just at that
moment we weren’t aligned. Aaron
Wan-Bissaka went to United, so if top
clubs come in for our players with the
right money, then it’s a timing issue.”
Roy Hodgson, the Palace manager,
said that Zaha had a “beef” with Parish
but that the Ivory Coast international
had been excellent for his club this
season.
The development of Zaha wanting
to terminate his contract with
Salthouse would suggest that he has no
desire to remain at Selhurst Park.
There are strong connections
between Salthouse and Parish. The
agent and USM have done a number of
deals with Palace over the years, while
Salthouse and Parish have been known
to invest in the same businesses. Parish
declined to comment last night.
Dream transfer that never was, page 61
The Leicester City forward, 32, has
offered a reminder of his scoring
prowess with three goals in the first four
Premier League games. He retired from
England duty after the 2018 World Cup
in Russia but said he would make him-
self available for selection if needed.
Southgate is pursuing a youthful
blueprint with Chelsea’s Tammy
Abraham, who was capped twice in
friendlies in November 2017, in his
thoughts, especially with Nigeria, for
whom he is eligible through his pater-
nal lineage, still trying to persuade the
21-year-old forward to play for them.
Vardy, who scored seven goals in his
Continued on page 61
Hartley: scrap
plastic pitches
John Westerby
Dylan Hartley has said that artificial
pitches should be abolished in the
professional game having suffered a
knee injury on a synthetic surface that
cost him the chance to lead England in
the World Cup, almost certainly ending
his Test career.
Hartley, the hooker who captained
England to Six Nations titles in 2016
and 2017, has yet to return to full fitness
nine months after injuring his left knee
playing for Northampton Saints away
to Worcester Warriors on December 21
at Sixways on an artificial surface.
“I don’t agree with artificial pitches,”
Hartley, 33, said. “If there’s a platform to
Roy dropped for final Test show my support for getting rid of arti-
ficial pitches, it’s here. You don’t need
them. You’ve got pitch covers, indoor
Struggling batsman and Craig Overton replaced by all-rounders Sam Curran stadiums, employ more groundsmen.”
and Chris Woakes with Ben Stokes unable to bowl through injury, pages 62-63 Full Hartley interview, page 54

Times Crossword 27,454 across down Yesterday’s solution 27,453

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 A poignant novel about a South 1 Is solicitor’s power something 25 H OM AG E M I GR A N T

O O A F O R G O
American (10) deflects? (5) P A R E D I RON E DOU T
9 6 Go to the Highlands for a party (4) 2 Magazine article one reads for S A F L S A N A
10 Calendar produced by charity hours (9) C A V A L C A D E T R I A L

10 11 — short collection about to follow 3 Versatile soldier and sailor O

T OA
I
D
Y M
D E
A
C AMPME N
S
T
(7) breaking contract (7-7) C G N C E H
11 Smaller region of Australia recalled 4 German who scored Bayern’s last H O M I L E T I C S H E A R
when crossing plain (7) two clutching fizzy drink (7) F R
I
A UD
A
F
U M L
A S C I N A T
E
E
12 Impressive sticker backing large 5 One has matter in hand? Shilling A S S E I R T S
12 13 theatre university inserted in on tax (7) CO MMO T I ON RH I N O
petition (9) 7 Hearing warning of attack, left (5) E
D I
A M
S S E
N
N T
G O O
GR A NG
M
E
13 Girl staying in until daybreak (5) 8 Flight of Greek girl affected Troy
Check today’s answers by ringing 0906
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14 15 16 stirring Laurel on vacation (1-4) 9 Outstanding leader deserting ute plus your telephone company’s network
15 By that time, opening a ridiculously Labour: one to sink the Tories access charge. SP: Spoke 0333 202 3390.
cheap furniture business! (4,5) (1,3,2,3,5)
17 Masses of religious lessons to be 14 I got in three tangos and Rose
17 18 19 20 taken from Plato’s work (3,6) pranced (9)
20 Brit abroad disregarding British, 16 Official party had launched 2001
goodness me! (5) Oscars (9)
21 In intelligence matters, not 18 Rock fragments thrown from stage
reaching Q? (2,3) indisposed one (7)
21 22 23 24 23 Leaves factory’s daily grind (5,4) 19 The world of the busy composer (7)
25 Special forces, mostly veteran, 22 Rattle, blanket or sling (5)
supplying fair-weather protection 24 Let out of jail, finally relax (5)
(7)
25 26 26 Major venue, part of summer
activity in the West End (7)
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27 28
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Turkey TL 25