Londoners Diary: Julian Assange stays put (to plan a fashion bash)

 
Leaving do: Julian Assange may host guests such as Amal Clooney next spring
29 October 2014

In August, Julian Assange gave a press conference announcing that he would depart from his luxury prison of the Ecuadorian Embassy “soon”. More than two months later we were beginning to wonder if we’d missed the leaving do. Now, it emerges, Assange has no intention of seeking pastures new until spring 2015 at the earliest.

The Londoner hears that Assange, the WikiLeaks co-founder who fled to the Knightsbridge outpost after allegations of rape and sexual assault, has plans to be housebound until February, when he will host an exclusive VIP bash from the comfort of his current abode. The event was originally slated to occur last month, a fashion show in collaboration with Vivienne Westwood’s designer son Ben. Assange’s ill health led to a delay in proceedings but now the party will go ahead as planned, with some minor changes.

Ecuadorian Ambassador Juan Falconí Puig is said to be working on two separate parties, with one London Fashion Week celebration taking place at a larger local venue while Assange holds court in the embassy with a glittering guest list of a limited size — the residence is a little small for a ball but one of his lawyers, Amal Clooney, and supporter Pamela Anderson will surely be on the A-list. He is then expected, we hear, to appear at the separate party via video link, somewhat like the Wizard of Oz speaking from behind a curtain.

The confirmation that he has no immediate intention to leave “soon” means a third Christmas spent in captivity for Assange, who moved in on June 12, 2012. We do hope the staff know how to roast a turkey with all the trimmings.

Don’t talk to the far Right about being ‘swamped’ ...

Who’d have thought that just one word could crush a movement? Former Tory politician Matthew Parris recalls in today’s Times that, while working for the Iron Lady, “we had been averaging 500-700 letters a week when, discussing immigration in a TV interview, Mrs Thatcher used the word ‘swamped,’,” writes Parris.

“In the following week she received about 5,000 letters … We were swamped indeed: swamped by racist bilge. It’s the things people confide in you when they think you’re one of them that can be so revealing.”

According to Spectator editor Fraser Nelson, however, Mrs T’s choice of words actually led to the demise of the far Right in the 1979 election. “The experts sat dumbfounded as the results came in,” Nelson writes. “She killed the National Front that night, as voters who were concerned about immigration believed they had, in her, someone who understood them.” All that on no sleep? Brava.

Buff boys know how to float one’s boat

Sir Ian McKellen clearly enjoyed being held aloft in the impossibly buff arms of the Warwick Rowers at the May Fair Hotel last night, where the sporting boys celebrated the launch of their sixth naked calendar.

The veteran actor first came across the project when he was given the calendar on a chat show, alongside fellow guest Kylie Minogue.

When it was revealed that he had a framed picture of one the rowers in his house, McKellen quipped: “Yes, but so does Kylie in her dressing room” — surely any young man’s dream come true.

Ever the entertainer, during one pause McKellen asked the crowd: “What’s that little guy called who sits in the front of the boat again?”

“The cox,” came the cry.

Daisy’s doing the double

What's better than one Daisy Lowe? Well, two of her, it seems. Double Daisy was at Harvey Nichols yesterday to celebrate the announcement that she is a new ambassador for beauty brand Rodial.

Cheerful: Daisy Lowe at Harvey Nichols in London for Rodial's press day (Picture: Dave Benett)
Dave Benett

The model has been busy recently — only last week she donned a PVC nurse outfit in a sketch for Channel 4’s Feeling Nuts campaign, which aims to raise awareness for testicular cancer. Whether she is promoting make-up or encouraging men to feel themselves up, it’s nice to see Daisy do it with a smile.

Hats off to the Old Vic

“Dahling, it’s been simply ages!” was the hammy refrain echoing through the Old Vic last night, as thesps including Sir Trevor Nunn and playwright Michael Frayn gathered for the launch of Terry Coleman’s new history of the theatre. Stories of past dramatic disasters abounded.

Frayn grimaced as he recalled the first night of 1969 play The National Health, when director Michael Blakemore sprayed ether into the audience to simulate a hospital. Meanwhile, Nunn recalled his fiery Coriolanus in 1973, which involved burning torches. Halfway through a senator’s speech, a voice piped up in the stalls: “Hello! I say, hello! I say, your hat’s on fire!” Did they stop the performance? Nunn looked affronted. “Of course not, don’t you know that the show must go on?”

Hackney gets a little weirder

Good news for devotees of the strange and mysterious — two-headed kittens, dodo bones, human remains and shrunken heads will all soon be on view in Hackney. The Last Tuesday Society’s quest to establish London’s only Museum of Curiosities is almost complete and the founders are promising a wunderkabinett of goodies.

Tomorrow is the last day of its Kickstarter fundraising page — for the small donation of £16 you will be rewarded with a “golden pig’s snout” while for a mere £27 you’ll receive a “19th-century hummingbird skin”. Bargain.

Wild and sexy for charity

West London yummy mummies may have more to blush about than usual. The 20th annual Sexual Freedom Awards will be held at Bush Hall in Shepherd’s Bush next month, with awards including best erotic performer and best campaigner.

The event counts comedian Barry Humphries among its supporters but has been opposed by religious groups. It’s not all whips and chains, though: ticket sales raise money for The Outsiders Trust charity. The easily shocked should, perhaps, stay at home with the curtains closed — and a copy of Fifty Shades of Grey.

The Austentatious guide to dating

It is a truth universally acknowledged that nearly all dating guides are best avoided — but witty advice from one of our favourite novelists is an exception The Londoner was happy to make. Which is why we were at Waterstones Piccadilly last night to listen to Sinéad Murphy, author of The Jane Austen Rules: A Classic Guide to Modern Love, a new book that tears apart the myths created by toxic dating guides such as Nineties hit The Rules.

“On a first date, The Rules’ rule is to be seen but not heard, so that your Mr Right will ‘think you’re interesting and mysterious’,” Murphy said with laughing scorn. “The Austen rule is to be seen and heard, so your Mr Right will know you’re interesting and mysterious, bewitching and overpowering, all because of — not in spite of — what you say!”

Couldn’t agree more.

No reading time for Valentino

The beautifully dressed jet-set flocked to Maison Assouline last night for the launch of Piccadilly’s glamorous new bookshop. Italian designer Valentino held court while signing copies of his book Valentino: At the Emperor’s Table. Asked what he was currently reading, the 82-year-old replied: “Nothing! I have no time! Because every day I have interviews and the signings for my book.” Oh, the irony.

Juno gives cheeky advice

Many child stars struggle to adjust to adult roles but luckily for Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe his co-star in Horns worked her magic during the film’s more revealing scenes.

Awkward scenes: Juno Temple (Picture: Getty)

Juno Temple appears with Radcliffe in the new horror thriller, during which the pair share a passionate frisson. “It was just awkward, doing sex scenes,” Temple giggled to IndieWire. “Me and Dan had this funny moment that was, I believe, his first male-female sex scene and he was like, ‘How is it? How does it go?’

“I told Dan, ‘I guarantee you that a few moments after we start shooting you will be asked to put your hands on my bum cheeks’.” We do hope he warmed them first.

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