Chris Patten
Ken Clarke the pragmatist suspends his pugilism over EU
It’s said that Ken Clarke would cross a motorway to pick a fight with a political opponent. His aggression is one reason why he thrived (eventually) under Mrs Thatcher: ambulance… Continue reading
26 Comments
Tony Hall appointed Director General of the BBC
It seems that Lord Patten has been reading the Spectator: Lord Hall, the BBC’s former director of news and the man who revolutionised the Royal Opera House, has been appointed Director General… Continue reading
63 Comments
Oxford students: Chris Patten needs to devote time to being our Chancellor
As students at Oxford University, we are told repeatedly by tutors, proctors, and the Chancellor himself that we’re not allowed to do much outside our degree. We cannot do more… Continue reading
25 Comments
The BBC saga distracts from Abu Qatada deportation and bail decision
The decision to award George Entwistle a £1.3 million payoff appears, as my colleague Rod Liddle notes, to have misjudged the public mood (and indeed the mood of the majority… Continue reading
11 Comments
George Entwistle’s parting gift
Have to say, I wish I’d got a year’s salary plus pension when I made an, er, dignified resignation from the BBC. The outgoing DG, George Entwistle, will receive an… Continue reading
88 Comments
Chaos at the BBC
The BBC crisis continues to dominate the airwaves. George Entwistle’s £1.3 million payoff has set outraged tongues wagging. Tim Montgomerie has collected the furious comments made by several Tory MPs.… Continue reading
67 Comments
A crisis, yes. But let’s not all shoot the BBC.
I have just returned from two hours of broadcasting on the BBC World Service. It is an odd time to be inside the BBC, not least because reporters from the… Continue reading
126 Comments
Chris Patten claims he has a ‘grip’ on the BBC’s crisis
Chris Patten has just appeared on the Andrew Marr Show to discuss the resignation of George Entwistle and to evaluate its fallout. Patten conceded that the BBC is mired in… Continue reading
74 CommentsChris Patten: a big disappointment all round
Chris Patten has held almost every great and good job the great and the good can offer: Governor of Hong Kong, Companion of Honour, European Commissioner, Chancellor of the University… Continue reading
22 CommentsThe university funding debate continued
University funding is beginning to dominate op-ed pages. Yesterday, Matthew d’Ancona put the case for a graduate tax from the conservative perspective; and to which Douglas Carswell has responded. Today,… Continue reading
11 CommentsIs the real love affair between Fat Pang and Dave?
We know that Chris Patten is advising David Cameron over the Pope’s visit – the Spectator interviewed him in that capacity recently. But a number of events this week suggest… Continue reading
47 Comments