Tristram Hunt
(Picture: Dave Benett)THE row between curators and management at the V&A over plans to merge certain libraries continues to fester. Staff incensed by the plans to combine the existing curatorial libraries are now voicing fears precious archive material may be lost, as happened in 2012, in the latest sign of a continuing breakdown in relations.
“What will be thrown away in the rush?” despaired one source to The Londoner. Just under a decade ago the V&A admitted to getting rid of archive material using “a secure data disposal service”. The museum has consistently defended its plans. They will “allow for improved access in one dedicated space,” the V&A said recently. This morning they added: “There is no risk of material being disposed of in a rush— we are allowing time before and after the move to sort through material properly.”
But staff do not appear to be happy. The plans were “all very hush, hush” and were “initially disclosed only to Keepers [senior curators], by which time the decisions had all been taken,” one source claimed. The plans are said to be the brainchild of director of collections Antonia Bostrom and Phillippa Simpson, another senior member of staff. Director Tristram Hunt, pictured, is said to be supportive. The museum, we understand, is not considering changing course. Are we heading for a blow-up?
Now Neil demands cash from Arcuri
ANDREW NEIL is not backing down. After the former GB News man said on Monday he was suing Jennifer Arcuri for falsely linking him to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, last night he demanded a “substantial six-figure” sum in compensation. Businesswoman Arcuri, who claimed she had an affair with Boris Johnson while he was mayor of London, has since deleted her tweet. “For the avoidance of doubt,” Neil said online, “apologising and admitting you lied is not enough.” He added that his lawyers were preparing papers and that “much” of any compensation would “go to child abuse charities”.
Hark! The festive torture begins...
MARIELLA FROSTRUP isn’t singing from the festive hymn sheet. “In my house we know we’re close to the 25th when all other music is banished and my husband’s festive playlist goes on permanent rotation,” the broadcaster, pictured, says. Although she loves Fairytale of New York and Last Christmas, she has her limits. When they’re on permanent rotation, “they might be classified as a form of torture”. Still, beats waterboarding.
Fame? It’s just our natural state
JIMMY CARR doesn’t understand celebrities who complain about their fame. The comedian argues being famous is actually “the natural state” for humans as they used to live in small villages and would rarely encounter strangers. “Now we’re walking past strangers all day in the street and it’s hard,” Carr tells Out to Lunch with Jay Rayner. “Being famous is a bit like living in a lovely friendly village but you’ve got Alzheimer’s because you don’t know anyone, but they all know you.” Naturally famous, darling.
Shulman out to celebrate all-clear
ALEXANDRA SHULMAN is partying again following the happy news that she is cancer free. Last night the former Vogue editor was at the Berkeley hotel for the Women of the City New Face Awards alongside journalist Joice Etutu and actors Vanessa Vanderpuye and Laura Pradelska. At Covent Garden’s Playhouse Theatre Dakota Johnson watched pal Jessie Buckley in Cabaret, while Noomi Rapace was in Brixton for new horror film Lamb.
SW1A
A JOURNALIST called Ed Oldfield has been defending himself online after Twitter users mistook him for the adviser with the same name who joked with Allegra Stratton about a No 10 Christmas party. As he denied he was the man, one user teased: “That’s exactly what a Downing Street special adviser would say.”
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KEEP your eyes on Georgia Gould, Labour’s local government star and daughter of late Blair pollster Philip Gould. The Camden councillor has just bagged a “council leader of the year award” at the local government “Oscars”, reports the Camden New Journal. If she makes a Westminster move, big beast status awaits.
