elcome back to the Londoner’s Diary. First up we learn that the Cabinet has not met in person all year (and that’s despite Freedom Day). Later we hear a Birkbeck University lecturer has resigned over a senior academic’s views and we learn about the drugs on offer for health and safety conscious Londoners in Ibiza. Also Cherie Blair recalls being pipped to the post for a job as a young lawyer just because she was a woman and a well timed play on Afghanistan prepares to debut at the Camden People’s Theatre. In SW1A Cara Delevingne urges people to vote for Green party co-leader hopefuls Amelia Womack and Tamsin Omond.
Live updates
Why is Cabinet still a virtual affair?
The Cabinet has not met in person for the whole of this year despite Freedom Day — July 19 — the fall of Afghanistan and the rowing back of Covid regulations. The recall of Parliament appears not to have been enough to bring ministers to the table in person. Government is in recess, a Downing Street source stresses, pointing out they have met virtually. Boris Johnson is currently on a working break in the West Country. Though they are expected to meet in person next week, while many Brits have returned to work in-person, it seems it’s one rule for the country, another for the Cabinet.
Kirby’s film deal is a crowning glory
Vanessa Kirby is moving on up. The Crown and Mission: Impossible star has just struck a deal with Netflix for her production company Aluna Entertainment to create a series of feature films. Kirby has joined the boom of actors moving into production, such as Keeley Hawes and Felicity Jones. She says she is delighted as “it has been a dream of mine to produce”, and plans to “explore stories that relate to the uncharted female experience”. The new path for career progression.
Drug dealers on Ibiza play it safe
Londoners escaping for late summer sun in Ibiza are encountering a new kind of conscientious drug dealer. One partygoer passed The Londoner an email doing the rounds of wealthy holidaymakers with an eye-popping menu of hard and soft drugs. What really raised our eyebrows was the insistence on Covid safety measures. The circular ends: “Only one person in the car and please bring your mask.” Health and safety — what dealers are known for.