Further to the Evening Standard’s report that Dominic Cummings was urged to “fall on his sword” as Boris Johnson faces outrage from his own side, the continuing publicity that the press aide attracts reminds me of the time I joined the government information services in the late Sixties, when Harold Wilson was prime minister.
It was impressed upon me (as a mere government spokesman) that if I got in front of the press cameras and into the newspapers I would have to buy a round of drinks for everyone. How many drinks does Cummings owe us all I wonder?
Angela Croft
Editor's reply
Dear Angela
I too began my career in the government information service in 1997 as a civil servant press officer for many years before I became a special adviser. You’re right.
A key maxim for both roles was that you should never be the story, and the tradition of getting the drinks in if you got “in shot” carried on until my time. But perhaps the most important piece of advice I got on my first day at the Ministry of Agriculture press office was: never ever deliberately lie or mislead the press, and if you ever make a mistake – fess up asap!
Ayesha Hazarika, Editor, The Londoner
William grasps a crowning role
For a while Prince William seemed to be overshadowed by his younger brother. Now, however — and not just because Harry has decamped to the USA — William has shot up to the top of the tree.
In particular, the work that the Prince of Wales has undertaken to promote awareness of mental health has been first class.
We can rest assured that the British monarchy is safe, not just for the Charles and Camilla generation, but for the next generation too.
Reverend Andrew McLuskey
