First, Carrie Johnson’s charity provoked an international incident over plans to ‘rewild’ a herd of elephants to Kenya.
Now, I can reveal the Prime Minister’s wife and her boss, Damian Aspinall, have been slapped down again over their ambitious and controversial animal projects.
Super-rich casino and wildlife park tycoon Damian, who runs the Aspinall Foundation, tells me he’s been banned from releasing gorillas into the wild.
The all-powerful European Association of Zoos and Aquaria has withdrawn a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ [MoU]This gave its approval for reintroductions.
Now, I can reveal the Prime Minister’s wife and her boss, Damian Aspinall, (pictured together) have been slapped down again over their ambitious and controversial animal projects
This will be a huge blow to the king of ‘rewilding’, who frequently sends gorillas from his Kent wildlife park to Africa. His late father, John Aspinall (society and gambling figure) was credited with the reintroductions of primates to Gabon.
Damian tells me: ‘The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria [EAZA] have cancelled the understanding with the Aspinall Foundation that allows the release of gorillas into the wild.’
He claims: ‘They’ve done this because of my own personal views on zoos. So, because they don’t like what I say about zoos, because I point out a few home truths that they don’t want to hear, they’ve now cancelled an MoU that allows gorillas to be released into the wild.’
A spokesman for the association confirms it’s cancelled this agreement after discovering that Aspinall lobbied Boris Johnson to close down zoos. ‘Through its representations to Government, the Aspinall Foundation has undermined EAZA’s trust in its motivations and made it impossible for us to continue the relationship on the basis of mutual respect,’ the spokesman tells me.
Victoria Fisher (L) and Damian Aspinall, (L), attend a VIP Dinner to celebrate The Animal Ball 2016.
Damian’s daughter Freya, 18, whose mother is actress Donna Air, is likely to be disappointed, as she decided to spend the next year working on conservation, largely with gorillas, instead of going off to university.
After Carrie’s charity announced plans to send 13 elephants to Africa earlier this year, the Kenyan Wildlife Service claimed it had not given permission. However, both parties later claimed that it was a misunderstanding and that the relocation would take place.
After inquiries by this newspaper raised questions about the use and misuse of its funds, the Charity Commission also launched an investigation into Aspinall Foundation.
Aspinall has made a vow to fight the EAZA, and he doesn’t mince his words about fellow zookeepers. He tells me: ‘I find these people disgusting.’
Jumpin’ Jack splash! Jagger girl’s lippy lilo
Sir Mick Jagger is in Los Angeles this week on tour with the Rolling Stones. His cheeky girlfriend Melanie Hamrick hopes to make a splash as well.
While Sir Mick Jagger is on tour in Los Angeles this week with the Rolling Stones, his cheeky girlfriend, Melanie Hamrick, also hopes to make a splash.
The 34-year-old ballerina — and mother of the singer’s four-year-old son, Deveraux — is accompanying Jagger, 78, on the band’s No Filter Tour.
As well as cheering him on at many of the Stones’ shows, Mel’s support for the indefatigable rock star extends even to the swimming pool. The American-born brunette has shared a picture of herself luxuriating in her hotel pool on a £50 Hot Lips logo float that was created in collaboration with the Stones.
Happy to support father-of-eight Mick with his busy work schedule, Mel gushes he’s ‘the most wonderful man in the world’.
As well as cheering him on at many of the Stones’ shows, Mel’s support for the indefatigable rock star extends even to the swimming pool
Rolling Stones logo
Earl’s family feud hits rock bottom
Writer Lady Lucinda Lambton is on a mission to quash rumours that she’s made up with her brother, Ned, after an explosive row broke out after their father’s death in 2006.
Ned inherited the family’s £35 million estate as well as the Earl of Durham title, bypassing his sisters as the sole heir under English male primogeniture rights. Lady Lucinda and her two sisters claimed that they were entitled to an equal share of the estate under Italian law because Tony Lambton, their Tory minister, had lived there. A reconciliation was later reported, with Ned giving each sister £1.5million.
But Lady Lucinda — whose late husband was newspaper editor Sir Peregrine Worsthorne — tells me at a party: ‘He is a s***.’ She adds: ‘You can quote me on that. He is a s***, s***, s***.’
Cheers! Spencer pays back furlough money
I learn that Spencer Matthews, 33, (pictured with wife Vogue Williams) who’s the brother of Pippa’s financier husband, James Matthews, has just paid back the money his company received from taxpayers via the Government’s furlough scheme
The Duchess of Cambridge’s sister, Pippa, will be pleased that her brother-in-law, the former Made In Chelsea lothario Spencer Matthews, can avoid further bad publicity.
I learn that Spencer, 33, who’s the brother of Pippa’s financier husband, James Matthews, has just paid back the money his company received from taxpayers via the Government’s furlough scheme.
Spencer was criticised in March after it was disclosed that his non-alcoholic drinks business, The Clean Liquor Co, had been taking up to £10,000 per month. He’s said to have a fortune of about £3 million and his business had only recently secured £7 million from new investors.
The Queen appointed him an MBE eight years ago, but Gavin & Stacey star Rob Brydon has loftier ambitions.
56-year-old comedian likes to think of himself as a knight in the realm. ‘I think on my headed notepaper it would say: “Sir Robert”,’ he declares.
‘I’d go with Robert because I think that sounds better than “Sir Rob”.’
Brydon insists he would remain humble on set — ‘just call me Rob’ — but admits, ‘I would love a little bit of reverence just in the way people interact with me. They don’t have to use the “Sir”.
And you know those director’s chairs with the names on? If I arrived and “Sir” wasn’t on my chair, I would kick off.’
Hero Strictly star’s dad accuses Afghan ‘betrayal.
J.J. Chalmers, an ex-royal Marine Commando, was injured in an IED explosion in Afghanistan.
J.J. Chalmers, an ex-royal Marine Commando, was inflicted with life-altering injuries in an IED explosion in Afghanistan.
Now, his father, a chaplain to the Queen, has spoken out against Britain and America’s pull-out from the country.
The Very Rev Dr John Chalmers says he finds it ‘difficult to disagree with those who feel that we have abandoned and even betrayed the Afghan people’. Referring to his son, who’s now a BBC presenter, he says he’s had ‘some up-close and personal experience of how the war has impacted individuals and families across the world’.
He adds: ‘So much was sacrificed, so much was promised, so many dreams have been dashed and I feel ashamed when I hear people blame the current situation on the Afghans.’
Cleese theatre’s woke warnings
Is this a ‘woke’ record? Bosses at a Cambridge theatre that launched the career of John Cleese have slapped 16 ‘trigger warnings’ on a single play just in case ‘snowflake’ students might be offended by the dialogue.
The ADC Theatre, which is run by Cambridge University, has decided to warn punters about ‘upsetting’ language in Top Girls by Caryl Churchill, despite the play having beeen staged on numerous occasions since it was written in 1982.
The plot focuses on a job agency worker’s rise to prominence in Margaret Thatcher’s Britain.
Top Girls’ previous productions without trigger warnings featured Suranne Jones (Gentleman Jack) and Lesley Manville (The Crown).
Confession of a Week
Essentials is a different concept for Anouska Hempel (pictured), former actress and hotelier, who is also the wife of Sir Mark Weinberg (pictured).
What is the one item you would never leave home without? Your favourite umbrella? An inflatable travel pillow?
Anouska Hempel, the wife of Sir Mark Weinberg, is an actress and hotelier. Essentials is something very different for her. Asked what she never travels without, Lady Weinberg replies: ‘Two butlers, Andrew Dixon and Rick Boutilier.’
Who says the super wealthy live in a different universe?
Spider-man star Tom Holland clearly believes he has the superpowers to make money. I hear the 25-year-old British actor now has companies worth almost £10million.
Newly released figures disclose that his three companies, which all list Tom and his comedian father, Dominic, as officers, have amassed a combined total of £9.3million. Holland’s latest film is the forthcoming Spider-Man: No Way Home. This should be another money-spinner…
Modern ways are very common
With a joining fee of £2,900 — plus a monthly payment of £152 — and past members including Princess Diana, the Chelsea Harbour Club expects to attract the creme de la creme of society. Unfortunately, it seems to be a haven for petty thieves.
I hear the club’s running out of the high-end Anyah toiletries in its changing rooms — including £120 hair conditioner and £100 body lotion — amid rumours they’re being pinched.
‘There are usually around 20, but this week there was just one halfempty moisturiser pump,’ wails one member. What’s more, the club is unable to get a delivery in time to top up supplies. Security cameras are only available in the changing rooms. Let’s hope strip searches are not introduced.
Kwasi Kwarteng is the Business Secretary. He has ruled out another lockdown for this week but can expect to spend more indoors. I heard that Harriet Edwards (City solicitor) has just given birth. ‘She’s had a baby girl,’ one of their friends tells me. ‘They’re delighted.’
Eton-educated Kwarteng, 46, who’s seen as a potential future prime minister, married the alumna of Cheltenham Ladies’ College in December 2019. He had a brief romance with Amber Rudd, the former Home Secretary..