BORIS IS A BLONDE BOMBSHELL IN BELGIUM
LONDON’S flaxen-haired mayor just can’t help making waves wherever he goes.
Boris Johnson was in Brussels yesterday, lobbying the European Union over its draft directive on the alternative investment management industry, in defence of the UK’s numerous hedge funds.
But though he happily deployed his usual self-deprecatory sense of humour to good effect throughout the day – “I’m afraid I might fall asleep on the train and then there’d be an awful shot of me dribbling…” he quipped as he boarded the Eurostar – it didn’t stop him being received with a certain degree of hysteria.
“One of my colleagues is so excited to meet him,” whispered one awe-struck chap at the European Parliament. “She’s desperate to snip off a bit of his hair and keep it as a souvenir.”
In a gilded locket, we can only presume, which seems a tad creepy.
Boris himself, however, is unfazed by the idea. “I’d be honoured,” he chuckled.
And it looks like the Mayor is going to have to get used to his blonde locks causing a stir wherever he goes, as yesterday also saw the launch of his new modelling career.
The front cover of a glossy magazine is probably not the first place you would expect to find our Mayor beaming out at you, but apparently he is in hot demand – with Tatler, Vogue and Hello all clamouring for the new cover boy “du jour”.
So far, he has passed these offers up, but he has agreed to grace the front cover of Elle magazine this month, to mark the 25th anniversary of London Fashion Week.
What with his new modelling career, and his upcoming cameo appearance in Eastenders, one might ask where he will find the time to groom himself for the Tory leadership, as many believe he eventually will.
Anyway, it’s good to hear that all this fame and attention is not going to his head. Boris travelled to Brussels in cattle class yesterday, along with Morning Wire’s Victoria Bates and the other journalists covering his meetings.
All of the other journalists, that is, except the BBC’s John Sweeney and his Panorama crew, who were in first class, spending our money.
MEAN STREETS
As we optimistically discuss recovery and upturns – and which letter of the alphabet they most resemble – spare a thought for those who are still suffering the brutal reality of the financial crisis.
Take, for example, the cocaine dealers of New York, who have apparently been reduced to touting their wares from – shock, horror – the street.
When times were good (and Wall Street bankers had more money than sense) purveyors of cocaine were in a position to be choosy about their clientele, opting to do business in only the finest areas of the city.
But, according to New York Magazine, these same dealers can now be found cold calling to push their wares on reluctant clients, who claim that the financial crisis has caused them to “grow up overnight”
My heart bleeds.
SIX IN THE CITY
The Capitalist is pleased to hear that a more wholesome pastime is still in full swing: the annual “Six in the City” cricket competition finals, taking part next Wednesday at the Honourable Artillery Company.
The finest cricketers from the square mile – including teams from Linklaters, PwC and Barclay’s Capital – will be stepping up to the crease in aid of The Cricket Foundation’s Chance to Shine charity appeal, which is backed by none other than Bank of England governor Mervyn King. If the Ashes are anything to go by, it could be a tense day out.
POWER DRAIN
A word of warning to any Porsche owners as you prepare to tuck up your pride and joy for the winter months, expecting it to start first time upon your return.
Typically, the battery problems start as soon as the sun comes out.
One RAC mechanic told The Capitalist that the firm’s Porsche Assist – yes there is a separate service for Porsche owners – got so fed up with repeat callouts it now insists cars are driven 500 miles between battery rescues.
Perhaps a good excuse to get behind the wheel this winter.