Tag Archives: debate

At times of grief, it is our close family we turn to for comfort and consolation. One can only imagine the wretchedness Prince Harry must have felt receiving that dreaded phone call telling him the terrible news that his grandfather had died. So helpless. So far away. So isolated from …

Truth, we are told, is central to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Indeed, it was supposedly the desire for truth that drove them to give that explosive interview to Oprah Winfrey, broadcast just over two weeks ago. ‘How do you feel about the Palace hearing you speak your truth …

Before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex married, a professional creative, well used to the intricacies and diplomacy involved in working with Royal households, was interviewed for a role by Meghan.  A mutual friend ran into the candidate immediately after the interview and asked excitedly how the experience had been.  …

For the first time in nearly 50 years, the Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey, attended by the Queen, the Prime Minister and faith leaders, has been cancelled. But I’m told Her Majesty is delighted that the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, is flying the flag for the Commonwealth, which she …

Last week, the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust proudly announced that, as part of a new policy designed to address ‘health inequalities’ for ‘marginalised and disadvantaged groups’, use of the word ‘mother’ is to be replaced by more ‘inclusive’ terminology. Thus its maternity services will henceforth be known …

Some weeks ago I thought it might be helpful to paint a picture in these pages of what this country could look like in a few years’ time. Think Back To The Future if you like.  My imaginary hero was not a mad professor creating a time-travelling DeLorean car, but …

When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were photographed enjoying an impromptu get-together with Edward and Sophie at the weekend, naturally eyebrows were raised.  As a group of nine they were, or appeared to be, breaking the Rule of Six outdoors in Tier 2.  Some felt it was a bad …

Netflix’s latest season of The Crown opens with a warning of ‘scenes of an eating disorder which some viewers may find troubling’. There is no mention of a truth disorder. Did the Royal Family humiliate Mrs Thatcher at Balmoral? No. Did Charles phone Camilla every day after marrying Diana. No. …

When I read about the appalling catalogue of lies that Martin Bashir told in order to secure his Panorama interview with Princess Diana, my first reaction was disbelief. Earl Spencer, the late princess’s brother, revealed to the Mail this week the comprehensive notes he had taken during his meetings with …

Lockdown is a blunt, indiscriminate policy that forces the poorest and most vulnerable people to bear the brunt of the fight against coronavirus. As an infectious diseases epidemiologist, I believe there has to be a better way.  That is why, earlier this month, with two other international scientists, I co-authored …