Londoner's Diary: Naomi Campbell claims Harvey Weinstein owes charity money

In today's Diary: Naomi Campbell says Harvey Weinstein promised her charity money / Scott's closed by water problems / International Women's Day parties over town / Richard Dennen bans dogs in Tatler office
Claim: Naomi Campbell
FilmMagic
12 March 2018

Last year, a group of brave women came forward to claim that Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein had assaulted and harassed them. Since then, actresses including Salma Hayek and Uma Thurman have added their voices to the throng, and the #MeToo campaign has gained momentum while Weinstein continues his stint in rehab. But Naomi Campbell, supermodel and charity campaigner, has another issue to add: she says Weinstein owes her money.

Campbell is on the cover of this month’s GQ magazine, which hit newsstands yesterday, in which she is interviewed with her new boyfriend Skepta, the Grime artist. The interview covers several topics including her bond with Nelson Mandela, as well as issues like sexual assault. Campbell said “If anyone does not want to be touched and you force yourself on them, then it’s assault. There’s nothing to define”.

Did the claims against Weinstein affect her? “Well, it affected my charity,” she says. “[Weinstein] hasn’t honoured any of the pledges he made last year, which is disgusting. Syrian and refugee children have lost out because he didn’t give the money.”

Campbell has raised millions for good causes, and runs her own charity, Fashion For Relief. Last May, she hosted a gala for Save The Children’s Syria Crisis Appeal, attended by Leonardo DiCaprio, Antonio Banderas and Queen Rania of Jordan.

“I stand with all women and with every woman who has been violated by that man,” she adds. “I wasn’t surprised at all. He’s who he is. It’s awful.”

UPDATE: A representative of Weinstein tells The Londoner that the issue is now resolved. “Since October, 2017, Mr. Weinstein has not had access to any corporate emails or previous items he had while at the company and was unaware of this issue with the pledges,” their statement reads. “As soon as he read this news, he personally paid Ms. Campbell today and he send Ms. Campbell his apologies.”

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A must-see workshop coming up on Sunday titled “How To Win Friends and Influence People: The Fine Art of Political Conversation On The Doorstep.” The session has aspiring Labour General Secretary Jon Lansman and Momentum’s Christine Shawcroft on the roster. That’s the same Shawcroft who this week said Labour should sever links with the big trade unions. Is it too late to change the event name?

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Independent woman: Liz Truss (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Last night Chief Secretary to Treasury Liz Truss threw an International Women’s Day bash at No. 11 Downing Street, with Theresa May, asset manager Helena Morrissey and Karren Brady among guests. Truss made a surprise revelation: she is a fan of Beyoncé-led girl group Destiny’s Child, and their song Independent Women. Her best line? “All the honeys, making money.” Truss for Chancellor?

Quote of the day

Denial: Jacob Rees-Mogg (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)
Getty Images

‘I’ve never been offered, so I’ve never had to consider this possibility’

Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg tells Politico that he has no ambitions to be a government minister because he’s never been asked.

Here come the girls, down Mayfair way

Ladies who lunch: Gemma Arterton and Anna Jones (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Dave Benett/Getty Images

A busy day for London’s most influential women yesterday as actresses, campaigners and designers toasted International’s Women’s Day at a series of parties. 34, the Mayfair restaurant, threw a hearty lunch with help from Harper’s Bazaar and Chanel, with actress Gemma Arterton and artist Maggi Hambling among the guests commemorating the centenary of women’s suffrage. Later on, singers Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh marked the occasion at the Hospital Club for a Bardou Foundation dinner, while fashion designer Samantha Cameron was at The Marylebone Hotel for the launch of cosmetic brand Bobbi Brown’s new Pretty Powerful Campaign for Women.

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TO THE Union Club for literary agency Conville & Walsh’s 18th anniversary, with authors Matt Haig and Esther Freud, and Curtis Brown head honcho Jonny Geller among the well-wishers. A double celebration for Dolly Alderton whose bestselling book, Everything I Know About Love, is to be adapted for TV. “It’s potentially going to be a series along the lines of Breakfast at Tiffany’s meets Bridget Jones’s Diary. With prosecco. Though God knows who will play me,” she said.

Tatler bans poshest pets

Canned: Dogs (Photo by Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage)
WireImage

THE DOG days are over at Vogue House. We hear that Richard Dennen, newly appointed Tatler editor, has imposed a “no dogs in the office” policy since taking over from Kate Reardon last month. Reardon, an ardent dog lover, allowed animals to roam free, welcoming goats, kittens and even reindeer into her office.

Dennen, it seems, does not share her love for animals. With the exception of an elderly Welsh terrier, new rules prohibit pets from strolling over the Tatler threshold in Hanover Square. The move is just one of the changes executed by Dennen: Emma Freud, Tatler’s gadget columnist, is among those to be let go.

Perhaps it’s for the best: some may recall the late Alan TBH Plumptre, who belonged to a Tatler staffer. The miniature dachshund was, unfortunately, killed in a revolving door several years ago. If the new move saves another doggy death, we suppose we’re all for it.

Tweet of the day

As many men spent International Women’s Day asking “Why don’t men have an International Day”, comedian Richard Herring spent the whole day correcting them.

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Savvy decision of the day: actress Julie Gayet, Francois Hollande’s partner, tells Paris Match why she rejected the role of First Lady: “You don’t get a salary.” Fair.

A starring role for a great cause

ACTRESS Cressida Bonas — backstage at the Jermyn Street Theatre during her run of The Dog Beneath The Skin — last night sported the Beulah London scarf that’s being sold in aid of You Can Free Us, which rehabilitates women from sexual slavery.

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