Don't believe it - ''Cherie vets Queen's G8 menus''
Given her form, it was easy to believe the Independent when it claimed that Cherie Blair had interfered with the menu for the state banquet at the Gleneagles G8 summit, but the next day the paper issued a retraction of sorts. It reported that Buckingham Palace had denied that the PM's wife had asked for the menus to be changed and for lobster, which she hates, to be taken off.
Some commentators think that Cherie should be left alone by the media, and I'm sure she would be if she deserved it. One person who hasn't got much sympathy for her, and who will be glad that the G8 summit is in Scotland and not America, as it was when Labour took office in 1997, is Gordon Brown. He had to attend the Denver G8 summit, which was, in reality, just a giant photo-op for the Clintons and the Blairs. This took place a few days before Labour's first Budget in almost 20 years, but the Chancellor was consoled that, as Concorde had been hired for the trip, at least he would get back in time to prepare for his big day.
Mrs Blair, though, had other ideas. She was enjoying the Clintons' company so much that she decided to stay a little longer, meaning that Brown would miss his flight connection home. New flights were hastily booked for the Chancellor's party, which included a furious spin-doctor who has never forgiven Mrs Blair for her utter selfishness and is more than willing to tell all about Cherie's antics, of which there have been many.
Some of those antics involve money - but when people knock her for making a fortune from her speaking engagements I always point out that the First Bag Lady has a huge mortgage to pay.
Post this article to
We want to encourage people to comment on our content and to exchange views with other readers and hope this will be done on a courteous basis. However, if you encounter posts which are offensive please let us know by emailing comments@newstatesman.co.uk and we will take swift action where necessary.
