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FREE LONDON WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 24/7 ONLINE NEWS STANDARD.CO.UK I’m overjoyed to represent this city: THE REVELLER our new food critic Jimi Famurewa PAGES 15-16 PLUS NICK FERRARI: IT’S MY JOB TO MAKE THE GOVERNMENT SQUIRM PAGES 10 & 11 LONDON VACCINE SOS: DON’T FAIL US, BORIS PM ANNOUNCES MASS INOCULATION Biden on the POINT AT EXCEL brink of taking CENTRE IN LONDON Senate after Joe Murphy and Nicholas Cecil poll nailbiter

BORIS JOHNSON was under huge pressure to Martin Bentham deliver a successful vaccine roll-out today as he promised MPs a “means of escape” from lockdown. JOE BIDEN was within a hair’s The Prime Minister announced that London’s breadth of seizing control of Con- ExCeL exhibition centre will host one of seven gress today as runoff contests for new mega-vaccination venues launched in stadia two outstanding Senate seats and halls next week. appeared to be heading the Demo- The current NHS Nightingale at the Docklands crats’ way. centre will be split, turning half into a vaccine hub US TV networks said that the capable of giving the jabs to tens of thousands of Reverend Raphael Warnock, a Bap- people each week. tist pastor standing for the Demo- Addressing MPs who have warned that the vac- crats, has won one of the contests cine effort must be got right first time, Mr Johnson to unseat his Republican rival Kelly said the roll-out “will finally free us from this Loeffler, making him the first black senator in Georgia. LONDON GRIPPED BY The call was made with around 98 CORONAVIRUS CRISIS per cent of the votes in that ballot PAGES 2-6 counted, leaving Rev Warnock almost over the finish line despite wretched virus”. MPs were expected to vote to his slender lead. approve the new lockdown regulations, despite Counting in the other of the two anger among Right-wing Tories that the end date contests, which have been to the lockdown is written into law at March 31 required after no candidate — some five or six weeks later than first suggested topped 50 per cent in the original in the PM’s address to the nation on Monday. November polls, was further from Mr Johnson told them: “There is a fundamental KIM ‘HIRES completion and remained too difference between the regulations before the close to call. House today, and the position we have faced at TOP LAWYER But although Mr Biden’s ally Jon any previous stage, because now we have the vac- Ossoff and the Republican incum- cines that are the means of our escape.” OVER SPLIT bent David Perdue were still tied as Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said earlier the result continued to be calculated that the effort to give jabs to more than 13 million WITH KANYE’ there, pundits also anticipated vic- people by mid-February will be speeded up. “We tory for Mr Ossoff. need to get on with this,” he admitted. In other The prediction was made on the On the rocks: Kim Kardashian and husband Kanye West are said to be leading separate lives, with one source Continued on Page 2 claiming that their divorce is imminent after six years of marriage and four children together FULL STORY: Page 9 Continued on Page 7 Williamson must be axed over school shambles, Tories urge PM Joe Murphy and Anna Davis entire department appeared “dysfunctional” and undermined trust. The pressure on Mr Williamson MPs say Mr Johnson looked “tired” and “a little bit that he should go in the next reshuffle. comes at a time of agitation among Tory tetchy” last night during a conference call with TORY backbenchers are pressing for the sacking Another Conservative MP said this week’s U-turn Right-wingers dismayed to learn that the new the 1922 Committee, which represents Conserv- of Education Secretary Gavin Williamson after his on schools, when parents were told to send their lockdown regulations, putting the national close- ative backbenchers, when some MPs questioned role in the school closure fiasco. children in on Monday morning, only for nation- down into law, are not down to expire until March the lockdown timetable. “A lot of people are A senior backbencher said Mr Williamson had wide closures to be announced by the Prime Min- 31 — five or six weeks later than was implied when “lacked the clout” to keep schools open and his ister hours later, was a “shambles” that had Mr Johnson said rules might be eased in February. Continued on Page 4 2 WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 EVENING STANDARD News | Coronavirus

ALL THE WAYS YOU CAN STAY My friend Larry: We need to Health Secretary AHEAD OF THE NEWS 24-7 Matt Hancock bends down to Newsletters, talk shows, podcasts and give the No 10 cat a stroke as he opinion — from our team of journalists get on with arrives for a this, admits meeting today vaccines

Goals, transfers and manager minister news in our great new talk show The Nutmeg on YouTube Continued from Page 1 and Facebook PLUS sign up to BE INFORMED our essential daily newsletter developments today: FOLLOW OUR LIVE West End Final ⬤ Dr Kevin Fong, national clinical BLOG FOR UPDATES adviser to NHS England’s emergency WEST END FINAL preparedness resilience and response Scan QR code or use link below standard.co.uk/westendfinal team for Covid-19, warned the country standard.co.uk/coronavirus was now entering the “most dangerous SOUNDING OFF four to six weeks of the whole pan- demic” as many hospitals struggle to cracy, while the Dutch government has From Bridgerton to Brexit our deal with a surge in admissions and only just only began administering jabs, agenda-setting podcast The Leader with cases continuing to rise. although the rollout is speeding up in takes on the biggest issues, and ⬤ Official figures showed that 87,610 a number of EU countries including don’t miss our Tech & Science Daily Covid-19 cases were confirmed in the Germany and Denmark. week after Boxing Day in London, with However, a report this week showed the disease continuing to spread in Israel was vaccinating 10 times faster nearly all parts of the capital. The sev- than the UK, already reaching 11 per en-day Covid rate has spiralled above cent of the population. 1,000 new cases per 100,000 people in Outlining the NHS vaccination plan, 12 boroughs, hitting 1,496.4 in Barking Mr Johnson told the Commons that and Dagenham in the week to Decem- almost 1,000 vaccination centres were ber 31, the highest rate in the country, up and running, including 595 GP-led and 971.3 for London as a whole. sites, with 180 opening later this week, ⬤ Nicola Sturgeon’s health minister and also at 107 hospitals. The seven big faced questions after dozens of NHS centres will be sited in major cities and staff queued for up to two and a half will roll out thousands of jabs a day. hours in near-freezing weather outside Mr Zahawi told BBC Radio 4’s Today then we complement that with the a Glasgow hospital in a vaccinations programme: “We launched with hospi- community pharmacy networks.” mix-up. One staff member was quoted tal hubs and then rolled out into pri- More than 1.3 million have already OUR DIGITAL EDITION OF on GlasgowLive saying: “The queue was mary care networks, five or six GP received the Covid jabs, including a THE NEWSPAPER CAN BE a mile long … There were any number surgeries coming together, one will lead quarter of the over-80s. However, to of surgeons in the queue.” the others support, and they are very achieve more than 13 million shots by ACCESSED BY USING THE The UK has been leading the way on effective at vaccinating their commu- mid-February, for the over-70s, frontline QR CODE HERE OR VISITING: vaccinations in Europe — with 1.1 mil- nities and of course going into the care health and social care workers, as well lion jabs administered in England. home sector as well. as other individuals vulnerable to standard.co.uk/digitaledition The French government is under fire “Then we move on to, in a few days’ Covid, would require a huge step-up in after vaccinating fewer than 600 people time, national vaccination centres, these delivery of vaccinations. in its first seven days due to bureau- are big sports halls, stadia and so on. And Mr Zahawi admitted that the target AND YOU CAN STAY UP TO DATE ALL DAY EVERY DAY ONLINE AT standard.co.uk Khan wants to increase his IN BRIEF share of your council tax again WE’LL FINE YOU FOR FLOUTING The Londoner 14 Puzzles 18 LOCKDOWN, WARNS MET Stars 16 Business 19-21 Ross Lydall City Hall Editor signalled his wish to impose a £3.50 a LONDONERS who flout lockdown Television 17 Sport 22-24 day “boundary charge” within two years restrictions by gathering in groups and SADIQ Khan came under fire today on motorists entering Greater London, refusing to wear a mask “can expect to be after revealing plans to press ahead with to raise £500 million a year for TfL. fined” in a new crackdown, Scotland Yard London’s weather a hike in council tax to fund free travel But he admitted that it may be illegal warned today. It said officers will be “more concessions. to maintain the central London conges- inquisitive” when people are spotted The Mayor indicated that he may tion charge at £15 to fund the travel travelling and in public, and have been increase his share of bills by more than concessions as the primary purpose of “issued refreshed instructions… to issue five per cent to help cover the £125 mil- the levy must be to tackle congestion, fines more quickly to anyone committing lion annual cost of maintaining free not to generate revenue. obvious, wilful and serious breaches”. travel for under-18s and Londoners Susan Hall, leader of the GLA Con- Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist aged 60-65. servatives, told the Standard today: “It’s said: “Our first duty… is to preserve life.” This is despite his admission that the simply astounding that the Mayor is council tax is “regressive” by dispropor- only considering hugely damaging ways tionately affecting people on lower to pay for these travel concessions. LONDON ZOO BEGINS ANNUAL incomes — and amid concerns that the “It would jeopardise central London’s STOCKTAKE AS IT CLOSES AGAIN boroughs are also planning a five per recovery, and may be legally dubious.” ZOOKEEPERS have begun counting the cent rise in their share of bills. Mr Khan is meeting TfL finance chiefs animals at London Zoo during its The average London Band D house- today in preparation for delivering its annual stocktake. hold pays £332.07 a year to City Hall, long-term funding plan to the Govern- Tallying up every mammal, bird, reptile but this could be set to rise above £350 ment. He told the London Assembly and invertebrate is a legal requirement as OUR STANDARDS We take seriously our responsibility to maintain high editorial standards. Under deadline pressure, errors can occasionally occur. If you spot a mistake or wish to complain about from April. Total average council tax that he was not prepared to ditch free part of its licence. the Standard’s editorial please use the complaints form at standard.co.uk/codeofconduct, or write to: bills range from £780 in Westminster travel for children or to axe the 60-plus It comes despite the national lockdown Managing Editor, Evening Standard, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5EE to £1,944 in Kingston. Mr Khan also free travelcard. forcing the zoo to close once again. EVENING STANDARD WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 3 Coronavirus | News 10-hour waits for London ambulances as crisis hits 999 response

Ross Lydall Health Editor

MORE than 1,500 patients were stuck in ambulances outside Lon- don hospitals for up to an hour or more over Christmas, figures revealed today. The London Ambulance Service says it is suffering a second succes- sive week of unprecedented demand, amid reports of people waiting up to 10 hours for a crew public to help us, we’re out there to help after calling 999. you. We need you to help us.” At peak times, there can be up to Meanwhile, the Government has been 600 incidents to which there are no accused of ignoring an “army” of small ambulances available to be dis- pharmacies in the delivery of the coro- patched. LAS chief operating officer navirus vaccine. Khadir Meer said: “Last week was Royal Pharmaceutical Society presi- the busiest in our history. This week dent Sandra Gidley said there were appears to be no quieter. Please only thousands of high street pharmacies call 999 in an emergency.” who were “ready, willing and able” to The service had prepared for up assist in the rollout of the programme. to 6,000 calls a day but has been Ms Gidley said that under the Govern- deluged with 7,500 to 8,000 calls for ment plans some larger pharmacies help. Many crews were stuck outside were involved, but they had to be able A&Es unable to unload patients due to guarantee they could deliver at least to hospitals being overstretched — 950 doses per day. leaving them unable to respond to While that was necessary for the Pfizer other emergencies. vaccine — which is more complicated Between December 21 and 27, a to handle — she said the arrival of the total of 1,093 patients waited Oxford-AstraZeneca jab meant it could between 30-60 minutes to be trans- be administered by much smaller units. ferred from an ambulance to A&E “We are already used to delivering the and a further 500 waited in excess flu vaccine. You have got an army of of an hour, according to NHS Eng- trained vaccinators who are ready, will- land data. ing and able to play and part,” she told Some “handover” delays were the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. was “stretching” but voiced “confi- stretching target. But I’m confident that “With the AstraZeneca vaccine there dence” that it would be achieved. with this plan that the NHS have put is no reason why that could not be deliv- Military logistics chiefs are involved together we will deliver this.” ered through community pharmacies. in the NHS roll-out of the vaccine. The Daily figures will be published from “There are over 11,000 pharmacies. If Last week was the busiest minister told Sky News: “It’s a big target, Monday on how many people have been each of those does 20-a-day that is 1.3 ever. This week appears to and I think the Prime Minister is right vaccinated. million-a-week extra vaccines that can to set challenging targets. After the start of the third national be provided, very often to those who be no quieter. Only call “We need to get on with this and do it lockdown, Dr Fong told BBC Radio 4’s are hardest to reach. Why would any 999 in an emergency as quickly but as safely as possible, Today programme that alert level five government not want to do that?” London Ambulance Service chief which is why I commend the NHS for “by definition means that there is a risk Mr Zahawi insisted that independent, the plan that they put in place.” in the next 21 days of NHS services being as well as larger pharmacists, would be “It is a stretching target no doubt, very overwhelmed”. He added: “We need the involved in the vaccination programme. reportedly as long as six hours, according to The Independent. The target is 15 minutes. LAS says it is receiving 50 per cent Health chief issues stay-at-home plea as one in 30 fights Covid more 999 calls than normal at this time of year, and its crews are in capital — but signs are spread of disease may be slowing attending more face-to-face inci- dents than ever. Nicholas Cecil Deputy Political Editor Alert level Covid admissions to the city’s hospitals It comes as figures show one in critical: is surging, with 5,667 in the eight days four deaths in England and Wales MORE than 87,600 Covid-19 cases were paramedics at the to January 2. registered in the week leading up to confirmed in London in the week up to Royal London A further 14,700 positive cases were Christmas involved coronavirus. Saturday, official figures reveal today. Hospital as the announced for the capital yesterday, There were 11,520 deaths regis- They show the disease continuing to east of the city with 87,610 in the week to January 2, tered in the week ending December spread in nearly all parts of the capital. suffers worst in compared to 73,225 in the previous 25, the Office for National Statistics The seven-day Covid rate has spiralled the pandemic week during which some people may (ONS) said. Of these, 2,912 (25.3 per above 1,000 new cases per 100,000 peo- have delayed getting tested because of cent mentioned “novel coronavirus” ple in 12 boroughs. the Christmas break. on the death certificate. It rose to 1,496.4 in Barking and On Christmas Day just 4,325 people The number of registered corona- Dagenham, the highest rate in the had tests which were later confirmed virus deaths and deaths from all country, 1,398.3 in Redbridge and and Newham 30 per cent. The rises are and dominant across London, so it is as positive. The real number of people causes both fell compared with the 1,275.2 in Newham as the epidemic not as steep as earlier in December and critical we must all stay at home. with Covid is estimated to be signifi- previous week. continues to hit the east of the city par- there are tentative signs that the fast “This has never been more important cantly higher than the confirmed cases The ONS said the figures for the ticularly hard. spread of the disease may be slowing while the NHS continues to deliver the total. most recent week should be inter- The rate reached 971.3 for London as down slightly. vaccine to those who need it most.” An estimated 1.1 million people in preted with caution as they had a whole. Twenty-nine borough areas However, Professor Kevin Fenton, Some hospitals including St George’s private households in England, the been affected by Christmas Day. The continued to see a weekly increase in London director for Public Health Eng- in Tooting, the Royal Free in Camden, equivalent of around two per cent of number of deaths traditionally falls confirmed coronavirus cases, with the land, stressed: “London’s Covid-19 Barts Health which runs several hospi- the population, or one in 50 people, had between these weeks, it added. biggest jump in Hounslow at 37.7 per infection rates are the highest we’ve tals in east London, and Barking, Haver- Covid-19 between December 27 and Despite the falls, the number of cent, followed by Brent on 36.4 per cent, seen anywhere in the country. ing and Redbridge trust, have already January 2, according to the Office for deaths was 44.8 per cent (3,566 Barking and Dagenham 35.3 per cent, “The new variant of the virus which been forced to postpone operations due National Statistics (ONS), and around deaths) higher than the average for Sutton 31.4 per cent, Ealing 31.1 per cent transmits more rapidly is widespread to Covid pressures. The number of one in 30 in London. this week over the past five years. 4 ★ WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 EVENING STANDARD News | Coronavirus

Tory MPs brand school Grammys date put closures U-turn ‘badly back until handled and appalling’ March THE Grammy awards have been delayed as Continued from Page 1 a result of the surge PUPILS WITHOUT INTERNET PARENTS who in cases in Los unhappy about the school closures,” IN ‘TERRIBLE SITUATION’ struggle with mobile Angeles. said one MP on the call. phone bills while The biggest night “Clearly it was appalling and badly SOME children cannot take part laptops are classed as their children are in music had been handled. Gavin Williamson’s only sav- in online lessons because their “vulnerable” and therefore can learning from home due to take place ing grace is that he wanted schools to parents have not been able to go to school, according to new are being encouraged on January 31, stay open but he was crushed by the pay electricity bills, the head of guidance from the Department to request free but has a new Health Department and the Cabinet London’s biggest academy for Education. It is believed this mobile data. date of March Office. If he had more clout he could chain warned today. applies to more than one Councils, trusts and 14. The have told Health to f*** off.” Sir Dan Moynihan, chief million young people. schools can claim at Recording One source said that the MPs’ executive of the Harris Schools are currently closed to least 20GB of data for Academy said WhatsApp group was deluged with Federation, said even when all but children of key workers a pupil if parents do the raging “lines to take” from Mr Williamson at schools provide high quality and vulnerable children for at not have home pandemic in the weekend stressing that schools remote learning, the poorest least six weeks. broadband or cannot southern were safe for pupils and teachers. “It is pupils are still at a disadvantage. Up to 1.8 million children in afford it. London California undermining of MPs and the Govern- He said: “This week we have the UK do not have access to a schools began meant delay ment when you spend a weekend say- had children come to us for laptop, desktop or tablet at contacting parents was “the right ing schools will be safe and available to help because their wi-fi won’t home, according to Ofcom. this week about the thing to do”. parents, then have the rug pulled away work, as their parents haven’t More than 880,000 of them live scheme as teachers Beyonce leads the after one day of lessons.” been able to pay their in a household with only a get pupils ready for nominations on nine, Today’s Commons vote on lockdown electricity bills. mobile internet connection. online learning until with Dua Lipa, is expected to be won comfortably, with “There have also been A spokesman for the at least February half main, and no repeat of the large rebellion by 55 students who were relying on Department for Education said term. Students using Taylor Swift, Tory MPs who voted against the tiers mobile phones to access the Government provided EE, Three, Virgin left, on six. system in early December. remote learning, but who need 560,000 devices to schools and Mobile, Smarty, Tesco Billie MPs say new infection figures have laptops and dongles because local authorities last year to Mobile and Sky Eilish, “changed the politics”. The Covid Recov- their parents cannot afford the help young children access Mobile are eligible. below, won ery Group of MPs, which is sceptical data. It is a terrible situation for remote education. It has also More companies may last year. about lockdowns, has switched its focus these children to be in.” partnered with some mobile join, the Government to pressing for speedier vaccinations. Sir Dan’s comments come as network operators to provide said. Families not on Mr Williamson, pictured today, was it emerged that children free data for disadvantaged those networks can setting out plans for online learning who do not have access to families. apply for free 4G and schools in the Commons this wireless routers. afternoon. MPs were hoping he would say how pupils will be graded age group, as happened the first grades to ensure they are fairly assessed, after the decision to cancel time round, and the final deci- as they were too important to “rely on summer A-level and sions will lay with Gov- an algorithm”. He also called for English GCSE exams. ernment.” and maths exams to go ahead as normal, Public Health Eng- Education Select Com- with pupils sitting written papers in land’s Susan Hopkins mittee chairman Robert exam halls with social distancing. said there was no Halfon told Sky the situ- More than half a million computer guarantee that ation regarding schools devices have been issued to children. schools would be was “a mess”. Mr Williamson is expected to announce able to return after “I think now we have more are to be distributed. Dr Tina the scheduled Feb- to move on and make Isaacs, honorary associate professor in ruary break. She sure we have an exam educational assessment at UCL’s Insti- told the BBC: “I system that is a level tute of Education, said the best we can think it will really playing field for stu- hope for is a “fair enough” system of depend on the epi- dents and fair to the grading GCSEs and A-levels. She demiology of the disadvantaged,” he said. said: “There is no absolutely fair way virus... we will have He called for retired of doing this.” to look at it by teachers to be hired to Editorial Comment JEREMY SELWYN JEREMY year, age group by check every pupil’s exam Page 12

Leading surgeon warns of ‘disastrous backlog’ for IN BRIEF GREGGS EXPECTS ANNUAL LOSS cancer and heart patients as Covid crisis hits NHS AS HIGH STREET SALES SLIDE HIGH street bakery chain Greggs has said it Ross Lydall Health Editor to the Standard due to a NHS England cancers require quicker intervention is set to slump to an annual loss and profits media crackdown, said many cancer — and which patients are more likely to will not recover until 2022 as the pandemic COVID pressures on the NHS need to patients faced worse outcomes if nor- do badly if forced to wait. Discussions hammers sales. It cut 820 jobs in 2020 and be reversed within six weeks or the Next week we are going to mal oncology services were not are under way with private hospitals to said Covid rules will keep profits under nation faces a disastrous backlog in have to do less work. I get restarted within six weeks. Many thea- allow NHS surgery to take place. pressure for at least another year. untreated cancer patients, a top sur- tre staff have been redeployed to inten- The suspension of planned cardiac geon warned today. more worried the sive care units, meaning cancer surgery surgery is likely to affect people await- Business Page 19 Hospitals across London are starting longer this goes on has been reduced. ing a bypass for coronary artery disease, to postpone cancer operations, adding Top London surgeon “Next week we are going to have to do those requiring the replacement of a to the backlog that resulted from a halt less work,” the surgeon said. “I get more heart valve, people with congenital NEW CAR SALES IN UK DOWN to elective procedures during the first worried the longer this goes on.” heart disease and those suffering com- BY ALMOST A THIRD IN 2020 lockdown. ing ahead with plans to reopen Lon- Cancer patients are being prioritised, plications from previous heart surgery, THE number of new cars sold in the UK last Planned heart surgery has also been don’s Nightingale hospital. with “dire emergencies” — such as peo- including heart transplants. year fell by almost a third amid the Covid paused across the capital, the Standard ⬤ Thousands of London NHS staff have ple suffering bleeds and other It could also limit access to proce- crisis and Brexit uncertainty, figures show. has been told, though urgent and received the Covid-19 vaccine. life-threatening problems — continuing dures such as stents to open blocked New car registrations fell to just over emergency cardiac surgery is contin- ⬤ Hospitals across London were taking to undergo surgery. But people with coronary arteries, ablation procedures 1.6 million, said the Society of Motor uing at St Bartholomew’s hospital. It decisions trust-by-trust on whether to “less urgent” cancers are already waiting to correct irregular heart rhythms, and Manufacturers and Traders. New car sales came as: postpone non-Covid treatments. longer than normal. However, doctors the fitting of pacemakers to treat irreg- fell by about 29 per cent on 2019, the ⬤ NHS England confirmed it was mov- The surgeon, speaking anonymously have a better understanding of which ular heart rhythms. biggest year-on-year decline since 1943. EVENING STANDARD WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 5 Coronavirus | News Close places of Teacher dies with Covid hours worship during lockdown, urge after 999 call on Christmas Day London councils Jonathan Prynn John Dunne “So caring”: Consumer Business Editor Jan Docker, THE family of a south London teacher centre, with her LONDON council leaders struggling who died with Covid-19 on Christmas niece Rachel to contain some of the highest rates Day today described her as “one in a O’Connell, right, of Covid-19 in Britain have called for million”. who said the churches and other places of wor- Jan Docker, 55, was a special educa- special needs ship to be closed during lockdown. tional needs co-ordinator at Stillness teacher had been The Government’s new “stay at Junior School in Lewisham. fit and active home” rules that came into effect She developed Covid symptoms on last night say “you can attend places December 12 and received a positive test of worship for a service” so long as on December 19. Despite thinking she social distancing rules are observed. was on the mend she developed severe But a letter signed by four town hall breathing problems and called an ambu- bosses in north-east London and lance at midday on Christmas Day. sent to faith leaders in the area calls She was admitted to Croydon Univer- for a temporary ban on “face-to-face sity Hospital where she died six hours meetings” for religious purposes. later, her family told the Standard. The letter, written by Darren Rod- Her niece Rachel O’Connell, 41, said well of Barking & Dagenham coun- Ms Docker had no significant underly- cil, Newham mayor Rokhsana Fiaz, ing health issues and had been fit and Redbridge’s Jas Athwal, Waltham working before she contracted Covid. Forest’s Clare Coghill and Hackney’s Ms O’Connell said: “We are utterly dev- Philip Granville, said the area was astated. She was one in a million. She at “a critical moment.” was so caring and special to all who It says all services should be knew her. She loved her job and was an moved online with the exception of excellent special educational needs that her aunt had plans to celebrate with said: “She was a fantastic teacher who Donal O’Donoghue, 64, fell ill in funerals. The call is backed by local teacher who helped so many children. friends but had to abandon them as she thought so much of the children and mid-December and was admitted to the faith leaders including the bishop “She had not been ill and had been was self-isolating at her south London really gave her all to ensure they critical care unit at Stepping Hill Hos- of Barking, the Al Madina Mosque working. She developed a cough and flat. This meant she was alone when her achieved their best.” pital in Stockport. He had three children in Barking and Sikh Gurdwaras in felt very tired. At first she didn’t have condition deteriorated. A leading kidney specialist working and four grandchildren. RCP President Redbridge. breathing problems and thought she Ms Docker was fundraising for home- for the Royal College of Physicians in Professor Andrew Goddard said: “He The letter adds: “None of us wants was on the mend but then she had to less charity Crisis before Christmas. London, died with Covid-19 on Sunday. was my friend, my wingman and my to see places of faith close but these call an ambulance.” Ms O’Connell said Headteacher at Stillness Mitzi Nichol Renal medicine specialist Professor confidant. I will miss him terribly.” are challenging times.” 6 WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 EVENING STANDARD News | Coronavirus

China criticised for blocking WHO probe Paltrow: Matt Watts tralian foreign affairs minister, Marise jing. The north-eastern Hebei province Pandemic Payne, condemned the delay today has entered a “wartime mode” after CHINA faced criticism today after saying she hoped “that the necessary reporting its first local infections in is tough blocking the entry of a World Health permissions for the WHO team’s travel more than six months. Organisation team investigating the to China can be issued without delay”. In the United States, Los Angeles for my son origins of the coronavirus pandemic. WHO chiefs have been working to health officials have told ambulance The 10-strong team had been due to send the team of international experts staff to stop bringing adult patients GWYNETH visit Wuhan, where the virus was first to China for months with the aim of who cannot be resuscitated to the PALTROW has said reported in late 2019, but WHO chief probing the animal origin of the pan- city’s hospitals for treatment, citing a her son Moses is Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said demic and how the virus first crossed shortage of beds and medical staff, as struggling with he was “very disappointed” that Bei- over to humans. the latest Covid-19 surge threatened restrictions imposed jing had not yet finalised the permis- It comes as Chinese authorities say to overwhelm its fragile healthcare as part of the sions for the team’s arrivals — with two they are stepping up efforts to curb systems. pandemic. members of the group having already the spread of the coronavirus, seeking Meanwhile, the Netherlands has The 48-year-old begun their journeys. to avoid another wave of the pandemic begun its Covid-19 vaccination pro- actress, pictured left The health body said the problem in the country amid a rise in locally gramme, nearly two weeks after most with her children was a lack of visa clearances. The Aus- transmitted Covid-19 cases near Bei- other European Union nations. Moses and Apple, told chat show host Jimmy Kimmel: “I think Moses, my 14-year-old son, is having the hardest time with it.” She added: “I think it’s very hard to be 14 and ... it’s tough on the ones that are still in kind of like the most intense developmental stages.” It comes following a surge in Covid-19 cases in Los Angeles. Lizzie Edmonds Lockdown will cost capital’s economy £4bn, businesses warn

Jonathan Prynn and Joanna Bourke close during the lockdown. Des Gunewardena, chief executive of fine THE latest lockdown will cost London’s dining group D&D London, which owns economy an extra £4 billion in lost out- Quaglino’s and Le Pont de la Tour, said put in the first three months of the year, hospitality had been “hung out to dry.” a City forecaster warned today. He added: “In our largest restaurant Simon French, chief economist at our rent bill alone during lockdown will brokers Panmure Gordon, said he be £450,000. It shows a complete lack expected GDP to fall by about five per of respect for restaurants, which have cent in the fourth quarter of the year. been a big contributor to the economic That will result in a loss of output of success of the UK and London.” £15 billion nationally and £4 billion in Jeremy King, chief executive of Corbin the capital, which has been pummelled & King restaurants, which includes the by a series of increasingly severe restric- tions on its huge hospitality and retail sectors since the autumn. London has seen dole queues lengthen faster than any other part of If we don’t get the right the country since the start of the pan- measures… the damage to demic as thousands of jobs have been shed from restaurants, shops and bars. this international shop Meanwhile the impact of the working window will be significant from home revolution was seen in Rachael Robathan, Westminster council research from agents Savills, which said in central London just 4.3 million square feet of office space was taken up last year, Wolseley and Brasserie Zedel, said the compared to 10.8 million sq ft in 2019. grant would “cover the rent at the Wolse- However, Josh Lamb, director in the ley for a couple of days”. City office agency team at Savills, said Rachael Robathan, leader of Westmin- there have been encouraging signs ster City Council, said: “We need urgent recently, with signs in December of clarification… the right formula is there growing levels of underlying demand. for businesses to survive the long haul. Leading restaurateurs today described The economy of Westminster and the as “an insult” the package of support West End matters to the UK and if we measures unveiled by Chancellor Rishi don’t get the right measures in place, Sunak yesterday. They included grants the damage to this international shop of up to £9,000 for businesses forced to window for Britain will be significant.” EVENING STANDARD WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 ★ 7 | News Trump’s fresh baseless fraud claim

Continued from Page 1 basis that enough of the outstanding votes, which include postal ballots and in-person early ballots, appeared likely to be in his favour. Mr Ossoff, a 33-year-old investigative journalist, said he was confident of victory. If both Democrat wins are confirmed it means that Mr Biden’s party and the Republicans will each have 50 Senate seats, allowing stalemates to be decided on the casting vote of the vice presi- dent-elect Kamala Harris. Control of the senate is hugely important to Mr Biden’s hopes of pushing through his agenda, including on key issues such as healthcare and environmental regulations — policy areas strongly contested by Republicans. Claiming victory, Rev Warnock, 51, hailed the contribution of his mother, Verlene, who as a teenager worked as a farm labourer. “The other day, because this is Amer- ica, the 82-year-old hands that used to pick somebody else’s cotton went to the polls and picked her youngest son to be a US senator,” he said. “We were told we couldn’t win this election, but tonight we proved that with hope, hard work and the people by our side, anything is possible.” Ms Loeffler refused to concede defeat, saying “Game of inches”: Democrat candidate Raphael Warnock declared victory over Republican Kelly Loeffler, We proved that with inset far left, following the hope, hard work and run-off in Georgia. Top, a woman is injured at a rally in people by our side, Washington for Donald anything is possible Trump, left Reverend Raphael Warnock that the contest was “a game Post, trying to pressure a contest the certification by Congress. Republicans are expected to try to seek of inches” and that she could senior Republican in the Images showed injured protesters. a delay to Congress’s endorsement of still retain her seat. state to “find” the extra DC police announced six protest-re- the results, but their efforts to block Mr Donald Trump repeated his votes he needs to overturn lated arrests with charges ranging from Biden’s ascent to the presidency are baseless claims of voter fraud as the result. All of Mr Trump’s carrying a pistol without a licence to judged unlikely to succeed. victory appeared to be slipping legal challenges have failed so assault of a police officer, according to The attempt to thwart the endorse- away from the Republicans, claim- far, however, and the presiden- a spokesman. ment is being led by senator Ted Cruz, ing in a tweet that his Democrat tial result is due to be con- Hundreds of Trump supporters had who is calling with some Republican rivals were “setting up a big ‘voter firmed today when Congress earlier assembled blocks from colleagues for a 10-day delay to check dump’” to defeat his party allies gathers in what normally would the White House, with the President the unverified claims of rigging. and were “waiting to see how be an uncontentious joint tweeting his support: “Washington is Mr Trump has also tried to pressure many votes they need”. session to confirm Mr Bid- being inundated with people who vice president Mike Pence, who is pre- Mr Trump has already alleged, en’s victory. don’t want to see an election victory siding over today’s session in his role again without evidence, that Protesters clashed with stolen by emboldened Radical Left as president of the Senate, to block his defeat in Georgia during police in Washington Democrats.” confirmation of the result, saying that November’s presidential poll last night as tensions Washington’s mayor has asked for the he “won’t like him as much” if he does was the result of rigging and flared on the eve of National Guard to be deployed in antic- not stop certification. has been caught on a tape, planned rallies by ipation of potential unrest as Trump obtained by the Washington Trump supporters to supporters protest again today. Some Editorial Comment Page 12 ‘He was a real inspiration’: pioneering chef Albert Roux dies at 85 Jonathan Prynn London’s culinary revolution with the tion to budding chefs, including me.” said he did not enjoy it: “It’s fiddly and Consumer Business Editor opening of Le Gavroche in 1967.” Food critic Jay Rayner paid tribute, there’s no money in it. It became the first restaurant in Brit- tweeting: “Albert Roux was an extraor- “You stand for 10 hours decorating THE pioneering restaurateur Albert ain to win a Michelin star as well as the dinary man, who left a massive mark a cake and you can never charge the Roux, who helped transform the once first to go on to gain two and three stars, on the food story of his adopted country. right amount of money for the time dire quality of eating out in Britain, has the highest accolade in gastronomy. “The roll call of chefs who went you spend. Patience is not one of my died at the age of 85. Roux trained a number of young chefs through the kitchens of Le Gavroche virtues.” In a statement his family said: “The who went on to become culinary stars alone is a significant slab of a part of At the age of 18 he came to Britain and Roux family has announced the sad in their own right, including Gordon modern UK restaurant culture. RIP.” started working for wealthy families passing of Albert Roux, OBE, KFO, who Ramsay, Marco Pierre White, Marcus Roux was born in 1935 in and in embassies, including as a com- had been unwell for a while, at the age Wareing and Pierre Koffmann. Semur-en-Brionnais, France and orig- mis de cuisine in Nancy Astor’s country 85 on January 4, 2021. Albert’s son Michel Roux Jr said: “He inally wanted to become a priest. home at Cliveden in Buckinghamshire. “Albert is credited, along with his late was a mentor for so many people in the Instead he started cooking at the early Family business: Albert Roux with his Michel Roux Sr died in March last year brother Michel Roux, with starting hospitality industry, and a real inspira- age of 14 as a patissier apprentice but son Michel and granddaughter Emily aged 78. 8 WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 EVENING STANDARD News |

Anthony France Crime Correspondent are really talented and they have impor- tant stories to tell through their art. But 700 EVACUATED DRILL rappers whose lyrics incite vio- Drill rappers targeted there are also highly inflammatory lyrics FROM BLOCK OF lence or taunt the families of murder inciting violence by goading rivals. FLATS AFTER victims are being targeted by a new “Quite often they are ridiculing young GAS LEAK police unit. people who have been murdered HUNDREDS of The Met’s violence intervention unit for inciting violence recently. As you can appreciate, for people were has applied for 100 criminal behaviour grieving families that prolongs their evacuated from their orders against offenders aged between trauma. homes after a gas 14 and 25. Sergeant Keeley Tye said it is “Very often things are posted in the leak caused what also monitoring 77 ex-prisoners who and taunting victims heat of the moment and there is a pres- police declared a have been released with restrictions. sure on the other side to respond. It “major incident”. Police now have powers to vet lyrics and promotes the carrying of weapons More than 700 videos before they are posted on social about rivals or specific attacks, although the programme. Digga D’s supporters which is a huge risk.” residents from a flat media platforms. he can refer to violence generally. Her- claim he is a victim of police censorship. She added: “Ultimately, this is about block in Crawley, A recent BBC documentary examined bert left prison in May last year after But Sgt Tye told the Standard: “It’s not saving lives. We can’t normalise a soci- West Sussex were the case of drill rapper Rhys Herbert, 20, being sentenced to two-and-a-half years the mainstream artists that we want to ety where we are empowering young put in temporary known as Digga D, who was the first for his role in a machete brawl in front curb. It’s the young people who are really people to ridicule gang members. These accommodation after musician to have an order controlling of shoppers in central London. But he glamorising violence and using it as a videos are graphically violent.” the leak at 12.21am. his output. He is banned from rapping was recalled to jail during the filming of means to settle scores. Some of these Drill rapper Joshua Erorh, 18, boasted West Sussex fire in a music video about stabbing a young and rescue service, man whose life was saved by open heart South East Coast surgery at the roadside. ambulance service, Erorh, who raps under the name Lil West Sussex county Outlawed: Dylan MDot, will be sentenced next month council, Crawley Callender O’Brien for attacking the 21-year-old outside a borough council and has been Southern Gas all subjected to a attended the scene. Met ban from Sussex police DC some areas of superintendent Steve north London We can’t normalise a society Rayland said: “This under a gang where we are empowering has caused huge injunction young people to ridicule disruption.” gang members POLICE APPEAL Sergeant Keeley Tye AFTER WOMAN INJURED AT fast-food restaurant in New Cross on DLR STATION March 14 last year. A WOMAN has been The Met’s is working with social media injured in a “serious firms to take down videos that can be incident” at a DLR viewed millions of times within hours. station in east The force uses borough officers, who London. work closely with young people, to Officers were called understand dialects rappers use and to King George V identify inciteful words. station in North Some gangs are known to visit rival Woolwich just before areas and film themselves making “dis- 8.40pm yesterday respectful” hand gestures in front of following reports of street signs. an injured person. In one case involving the Met, teenage Paramedics also gangster Dylan Callender O’Brien was attended and the banned from owning a balaclava or rid- woman was taken to ing a bicycle after a campaign of theft, hospital where she is robbery and violence. being treated. In December, police sought a 12-month British Transport gang injunction to limit the behaviour Police are appealing of Callender O’Brien, 18, who cannot for anyone who associate with 59 others, run away from witnessed the police when instructed to stop, possess incident, or the a knife, or enter Islington, as well as areas events leading up to of Camden and Hackney. it, to get in touch. Big Issue founder’s Bill to plan for future generations Arjun Neil Alim setting targets for public bodies and private companies. A CAMPAIGN to formally require min- The Bill is scheduled to have its sec- isters to consider how their policies will ond reading in the Commons on Janu- affect the economic, cultural, physical ary 29. A similar piece of legislation was and environmental wellbeing of future passed by the Welsh Assembly in 2015. generations will be heard in parliament. Ms Lucas and Lord Bird have urged the The Government would have to public to write to their local MPs to ask appoint a “future generations commis- them to support the Bill. sioner” to oversee policy with the power Ms Lucas said: “The decisions taken to censure public and private bodies today shape the future and it is time which did not meet their commitments that the wellbeing of future generations to long-term wellbeing. was hardwired into policy-making.” Britain’s only Green MP Caroline Lord Bird said: “The pandemic has Lucas and the founder of the Big Issue shown we need more long-term think- Lord Bird have joined forces to urge the ing and planning. If passed into law, the Government to consider future gener- Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill ations in policy-making. will help tackle the climate crisis, pov- The Wellbeing of Future Generations erty, pandemics and much more. Bill, introduced by Lord Bird and spon- “Our Today for Tomorrow campaign sored by Ms Lucas, aims to enshrine a seeks to embed long-termism, preven- commitment to the wellbeing of future tion and the interests of future gener- generations within legislation, appoint- ations at the heart of UK policy-making.” ing a dedicated commissioner and ⬤ todayfortomorrow.org.uk EVENING STANDARD WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 9 | News

Kanye and Kim, from romance ‘to rocks’

2012 Kardashian confirms romance with West 2013 Daughter North is born 2014 The couple marry in Italy 2015 Birth of first son, Saint 2016 Reports emerge of marriage difficulties, denied by Kardashian 2018 Daughter Chicago is born via surrogate. 2019 Couple renew wedding vows; son Psalm born via surrogate 2020 In July, West rambles on Twitter, claiming his wife was trying to have him locked up on medical grounds. The couple have crisis talks and Kardashian is seen crying at West’s ranch 2021 Sources say the couple will divorce following months of marriage therapy

Rocky relationship: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West with their children, at their wedding in 2014 with North, and on Instagram in November. Below, last February Kardashian ‘done with West as she re-hires previous divorce lawyer’

Lizzie Edmonds President last year, accused his wife of Celebrity Correspondent trying to “lock me up” in a series of Twitter posts. The rapper, who is bipolar, KIM KARDASHIAN is reportedly set to said he wanted to divorce Kardashian file for divorce from Kanye West after and accused her of cheating with rapper six years of marriage following a tumul- Meek Mill. He also called the star’s tuous year for the couple. mother Kris Jenner “Kris Jong-un”. Several sources have reportedly told Days earlier, during his first campaign US celebrity news site Page Six the rally in South Carolina, he told attend- reality television star, 40, is “done” with ees that Kardashian had considered 21-time Grammy winner West, 43. aborting their daughter North. The couple are said to have been liv- The Page Six source suggested Kar- ing “separate lives” in recent months. dashian “has grown up a lot” in recent Kardashian is reported to have hired years and has now “had enough” of celebrity divorce lawyer Laura Wasser, West’s sometimes erratic behaviour. who worked on her 2013 divorce from They added: “She is serious about NBA star Kris Humphries, taking the Bar exam and becom- as the couple attempt to ing a lawyer, she is serious about work out a settlement. her prison reform campaign. “Divorce is imminent. Meanwhile Kanye is talking about They are keeping it low- running for president and key but they are saying other crazy s**t, done,” an insider and she’s just had is quoted to enough of it.” have said. According to The couple another source, have four chil- West has also tired dren together, of the Kardashian North, seven, media circus. “[He] Saint, five, Chi- is completely over cago, two, and the entire family… Psalm, one. He wants nothing to In July, they do with them,” they were said to be said. Representatives having “crisis of the couple have talks” after West, been approached for who ran for US comment. 10 WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 EVENING STANDARD Deep Dive |

I THE WEDNESDAY INTERVIEW ‘We had to bolt Boris’s chair to the ground’ From U-turns on schools to Scotch eggs, Nick Ferrari keeps the Government on its toes. The LBC firebrand tells Susannah Butter about the PM and bonding with Keir Starmer

EAH, no, well...” Michael Gove sounded well and truly cornered as he tried to jus- tify the Government’s actions on Nick Ferrari’s LBCY breakfast show yesterday. All Ferrari did was ask a straightforward question: namely, why did the Government make a U-turn on the closure of schools this week? “Michael Gove is canny and good at defending difficult lines,” Ferrari tells me, buoyed up after coming off-air. “But it is my job to point out the absurdity of the U-turn. Parents were ironing their children’s uniforms because they’d been told schools were safe. Hours later, as we were finishing our evening Scotch eggs, schools closed. With home learning, there is a gulf opening up between the poor and the middle class kids and that upsets me. I don’t know how kids with- out resources will catch up.” Throughout the pandemic, Ferrari has doggedly pinned politicians down on the finer details of their policy, notably getting the Environment Secretary George Eustice to say that a Scotch egg counted as a substantial meal. His show goes out to more than 1.3 million listen- ers every weekday and is public service radio — serious points are packaged up with punchy tabloid style slogans and Ferrari relishes sparring with politicians. He claims he doesn’t do hours of prepa- ration other than reading the papers forensically. “I’m just sitting there, sober- ing up with a coffee.” He laughs before making a more serious point. “At the moment there is a contract between the Government and the people. They’ve asked us for what might be the toughest six weeks we have had. So we have to see that they are delivering on giving the vaccine and it is the media’s job to ask

The Government has asked us for a tough six weeks so it’s my job to ask if they are delivering on the vaccine

daily how many jabs have been done.” you can see it in his face that he hates He is busy doing sums to see if the Prime making [decisions to lock down], it goes Minister’s predictions of how many against his innermost feelings. He has people we can vaccinate are correct. fallen into the trap of promising too “Hopefully this week we will vaccinate much and delivering too little but there around 5,000 people. If that’s true, that’s was a different tone on Monday. He has more than the rest of Europe put tempered his talk of ‘sunny uplands’ with together. There are enormous chal- more ‘ifs’.” lenges but we need to temper that by Ferrari harks back to “the brilliant thinking about what we have done well selling job that Boris did with the Olym- too.” pics”. But surely Covid and Brexit are on Despite the Government’s U-turns, a different level to jokes about whiff Ferrari is “happy to say I am a Boris waff? “He came back too soon after he Johnson fan”. Johnson has been a regular had Covid. Like all chief execs he on Ferrari’s show since he was mayor thought he had to be back behind his and they text each other from time to desk. That informed some of his deci- time. “He is a liberal Conservative and sion making but he looks jauntier now. EVENING STANDARD WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 11 | Deep Dive

Straight talking: Nick Ferrari outside his LBC studio in Leicester

DANIEL HAMBURY DANIEL Square, main picture; Sir Keir Starmer at his regular phone-in on the show, centre; and Ferrari with girlfriend Clare Patterson DAVE BENETT DAVE

studio and says, ‘Ah, the headmaster’s roaring with anger at him. He wouldn’t study.’ He’d slide the chair over, try to get 30 minutes of bashing, that’s boring FERRARI’S FINEST rifle through my notes and look at the radio, and there are a lot of people in POLITICAL MOMENTS screen where we have questions from favour of his green policies, unbelieva- listeners who want to tell him he is a bly. I have no feelings of personal ani- November 2020 complete Herbert.” They Boris-proofed mosity to him. I sense he might have a Environment Secretary George Eustice the studio, bolting the chair to the little bit towards me.” said Scotch eggs “probably count” ground — “like they do in police inter- as a substantial meal. Cue a thousand rogation rooms” — so he couldn’t med- HAT would he ask memes. dle. Khan? “Are you Ferrari relishes telling these anec- convinced that road May 2020 dotes, in conspiratorial tones. It is his Wpolicy isn’t making Michael Gove said he had driven to voice that people recognise: “I can rarely the air worse? I think check his eyesight, but he was “not an go through Marks & Spencer without we are compressing the traffic into cer- authority on driving” as it had taken someone saying, ‘It’s you, isn’t it?’” he tain roads too much. How are you going him seven attempts to pass his test. says. “I usually say, ‘Well it might be to get London back on the front foot as unless I owe you money’.” He proudly the world’s greatest city? He should May 2017 adds that he dressed up for our photo- come on the show for the folk of London Diane Abbott, then shadow home shoot, in a lilac scarf “from Joan Collins’s — I will even take the risk of unbolting secretary, said she didn’t know how favourite shop in Saint Tropez”. It’s quite the chair for him and I will buy him one much Labour’s policy for 10,000 extra a Nineties look, like he’s borrowed one of those $28 coffees Meghan Markle is police officers would cost. At one point, of Bridget Jones’ pashminas. selling.” she claimed it would cost £300,000 However much Ferrari admires the Does Khan refusing to come on the — the equivalent of £30 per officer. Caption kicker: PM, he “immediately warmed to Keir show make Ferrari sympathise with the This is a swathe of Starmer”. “He is a good bloke — the first Today programme, now that ministers February 2015 dummy text that Labour leader since maybe Clement are reluctant to speak on it? “There is a The then Green party leader Natalie can be used to Attlee to send me a Christmas card.” sense of arrogance among some broad- Bennett forgot how much the 500,000 indicate how cast media that they click their fingers new homes she was pledging to build many words fit a and the PM immediately falls in line for would cost. particular space. them. It is a matter of choice whether The text contains politicians speak. But if they stay away December 2013 [25 words] a It is my new year’s for months on end that is plainly ludi- Boris Johnson failed to give any correct resolution to entice Sadiq crous. That applies to Sadiq.” answers to an IQ test and stumbled He is intrigued by the Government’s when asked how much a Tube fare Khan onto the show... new set-up, with Allegra Stratton work- from Angel to London Bridge would staying away is ludicrous ing as press secretary although her new cost. Hey, he’s a cyclist. job is “not something I would have liked to do”. “It will only work if she can weave Ferrari tried to bond with Starmer over herself into the fabric — it is only fair she anecdotes from that era. A favourite is how both of their parents had donkeys. knows the nuts and bolts of how deci- when The Sun’s editor Kelvin MacKenzie “I delivered a foal,” boasts Ferrari. “And sions she’s defending are made.” said he didn’t care what it took to get a I am the only breakfast presenter who One of Ferrari’s regular questions for Roger Moore interview so Ferrari flew can shear a sheep. I wanted to be a vet politicians is how much a pint of milk is. to India and nabbed a job as an extra on when I was young because ours had a They know to expect it and arrive at the Octopussy. “Roger Moore sat smoking a fantastic estate car.” (Ferrari now has a studio all briefed. So does he know the cigar, as kids thrust paper at him for Jaguar). But Starmer was alarmed at his answer? “95p,” he says. “Is that right? For autographs. One kid passed the paper story about how when he was younger the regular one. I don’t go organic.” Fer- back to him. With quizzical eyebrows he he ended up getting the donkey’s worm- rari likes food shopping. He has two said as he signed it again,” (Ferrari ing shot in his arm. sons, one runs fitness studios and the impersonates Bond’s baritone), “‘Two of The one politician who won’t come on other is in film. He and their mother, mine are worth one of Sean Connery’s’.” the show is the Mayor of London. Ferrari Sandra, are divorced and he lives with Ferrari started his LBC show in 2001. has delivered diatribes against Sadiq his girlfriend; “Clare without an i”, who “I didn’t think I would make it to 20 Khan’s “incompetence” on tack- is 15 years his junior. He mischievously years,” he says. “The radio industry didn’t ling knife crime and his green calls her “the young woman I go out either but we kept face.” The industry is policies but the Mayor has not with”. Clare Patterson also works in more equal than when he started out. been on the show to answer for radio, as a branded content producer. He is “old-fashioned” about being a gen- himself since 2016. It is Ferrari’s She objects to his morning routine. “I tleman. “I hold doors for women — Clare His background in newspa- new year’s resolution “to have three alarm clocks set within five didn’t know what I was doing when I first pers made him robust and he entice Sadiq on”. “I’d minutes of each other,” says Ferrari. started walking on the outside of her on is supremely competitive. love my listeners to be “Clare read an interview with Piers Mor- roads. She thought I was running away.” What we need from our able to put their gan where he said the reason his mar- He is pragmatic about equal pay. “It can’t leader is for them to be a points to the Mayor riage survived was that when his alarm be right if one person is getting three brilliant sales person, to be and I think it would goes, he dresses in the spare room and times as much as another for the same seen around the world to benefit Sadiq Khan she is enamoured by the idea that I job but I would sound a note of caution. engender enthusiasm, with the mayoral should do that but I won’t.” The media is a strange business.” confidence and a sense of election coming Editing a national newspaper was Fer- How does he plan to celebrate his 20 endearment. We are up,” says Ferrari. rari’s ambition growing up. His father, year anniversary on LBC? “I won’t. And potentially in a great place “The listeners are Lino, started the Ferrari Press agency. I don’t look at listening figures. Like with Boris.” not sitting there He remembers dinner parties where his football managers, I stick to the current Ferrari, 61, talks about father’s colleagues would recount stories result. I’m busy worrying about each day Johnson as if he is a naughty Leading men: too outrageous to print. Ferrari started and the next 20 years. Right now we have but nonetheless charming Ferrari with out as a reporter on the Sunday Mirror to present listeners with reality but pro- pupil. “Every time he’s on Boris Johnson and and then became the editor of The Sun’s vide hope as well. It is the darkest before the show, he comes into the Eamonn Holmes Bizarre page. He has a steady stream of dawn but we’ll get through.” 12 ★ WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 EVENING STANDARD Comment | Matthew d’Ancona Established 1827 The education mess puts the burden on parents — schools must adapt too

HAT is a school? A are given a sense of purpose between truth, it is a secondary issue. The edu- US democracy has place of learning, now and the end of the academic year. cational problems that the pandemic self-evidently; a Whether this involves school-set tests has floodlit are systemic, not personal. been severely tested venue for regular moderated by the regulator, or an exter- The Government’s pathological reluc- testing; a hub for nally-evaluated module of course work, tance to confront reality about this year’s IT APPEARS likely that the Democratic Party will hold the extra-curricularW activities; a civic insti- is less important than the need for clear public exams has reflected a very deep trifecta in Washington DC; control of the Presidency, tution where pupils can mature from structure. attachment to the educational struc- House of Representatives and now the Senate. children to citizens; and, at the most This particular fiasco could certainly tures that were introduced by Kenneth The party needed to win both races in yesterday’s Georgia basic level, a safe place where teachers have been avoided. The cohorts of Baker’s 1988 Education Reform Act: a run-off election to take control of the upper chamber by act in loco parentis to the young while pupils who were facing GCSEs and national curriculum, meaningful school the narrowest of margins. A 50-50 split allows Vice Presi- their parents work. A-levels this summer — Years 11 and 13 inspection, and rigorous testing. dent-elect Kamala Harris to break a tie in her party’s favour. In every respect, these functions have — and suffered more grievously than Three decades ago, such measures A Democratic majority, however slim, is a huge boost been tested to the limit by the pan- any other from the stop-go policy on were needed to break the grip of for Joe Biden. It will give him a freer hand on large swathes demic. Since Tuesday — only two days school closures and its geographical teacher unions and local education of domestic policy such as fiscal stimulus and enable him after Boris Johnson told the BBC’s variations under the system of tiered authorities — and were built upon sys- to get cabinet and judicial nominations confirmed, though Andrew Marr six times that “schools restrictions. Most have missed six tematically by New Labour to raise he will remain constrained. are safe” — their gates have been closed months of exam syllabus work that is standards in state schools. But what was It comes on the day that Congress meets to certify the to most pupils, as the third national usually covered in 18. Their concentra- necessary in 1988 is outdated in 2021. result of November’s presidential election. Despite the lockdown takes effect. In particular, teaching-to-the-test has lawsuits and downright lies, President Trump remains Even so, schools must continue to drained the life out of the classroom. set to leave office at midday on January 20. provide free meals to those who need Today’s teenagers are as bright as their A peaceful transfer of power, the cornerstone of liberal them, refuge to vulnerable children, and predecessors, if not brighter. But they democracy, is likely to continue. The system of checks a safe environment for those whose What matters is that the two are ill-served by the cognitive battery and balances, devised by a group of 18th-century men, parents are key workers. Across the land, groups of pupils in limbo farms that secondary schools have should endure. teachers are struggling to provide online become. Through absolutely no fault of But US democracy has been severely tested, and in the lessons — conscious that nine per cent over exams are given a sense their own, examinees have become, to process, dozens of norms — that losers concede, that of pupils have no access to wi-fi. of purpose this year quote the former Yale professor, Wil- presidents do not call up state election officials to demand For the third time, parents are trying liam Deresiewicz, “excellent sheep”. 11,780 votes — were violated. A rubicon has been crossed. to work out if the words “home school- This is not to say that standardised test- This matters to Britain and indeed the rest of the world ing” are more than a euphemism. To tion and classroom patterns have been ing does not have an important role. But because the US remains the most powerful nation on cap it all, GCSEs and A-levels have again relentlessly disrupted. the two-year suspension of normal earth. And a litany of crises, from coronavirus to climate been cancelled, less than a week after It has been obvious since the autumn, exams is an opportunity to think about change, require US leadership. The alternative is a lead- Gavin Williamson, the Education Sec- as infection rates began to spike once a system that places less emphasis upon erless world or worse, one led by a Chinese Communist retary, insisted that this year’s public more, that no equitable system of stand- regurgitation against the clock. Party accused of committing genocide in Xinjiang and examinations would “absolutely” go ardised examinations was going to be More generally, it is an incentive to arresting pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. ahead. In his televised statement on sensible, useful or fair this summer — make the schools system more adapt- Trump will be gone and Biden able to govern. We should Monday evening, the Prime Minister and it would have been both statesman- able and more resilient to future body celebrate that the system worked while recognising the said only that “alternative arrange- like and merciful to admit as much well blows —a resilience which will clearly soft bigotry of low expectations. ments” would be made — the details of before Christmas, leaving time for can- involve a hybridised approach, divided which will now be hammered out didates, teachers and universities (which between online teaching and classroom between the Government and the exam use grades for admissions) to prepare work. If the pandemic has an upside, it regulator, Ofqual. for an alternative system in 2021. is to force us to think about the future Williamson must go What matters, in particular, is that the The present focus upon Williamson’s that we need. Never let a crisis go to two groups of pupils presently in limbo political fate is predictable — but, in waste, Prime Minister. BEING a teacher is a tough job at the best of times. Nine months into a pandemic and at the start of Lockdown Part III is not the best of times. Every teacher has a responsibility to do their best in Bridgerton’s diverse casting is a game-changer difficult circumstances with limited resources. The same can be said of headteachers — yet it has become clear that Nancy Durrant Charlotte is the wonderful Golda some schools are fitting in far more live and interactive Rosheuvel, with plenty of lesser char- lessons than others. acters also portrayed by actors of colour. Then there is the regulator. Ofqual must ensure that THE thirst is real, if audience numbers Look, it’s not perfect, and it hasn’t systems are in place so that we do not see a repeat of last are anything to go by. This week Netflix “fixed telly”. Some commentators have year’s exams chaos. announced that by the end of its first noted that most of the leading characters Telecoms firms have a role too — they should all imme- four weeks on the streaming service, of colour are lighter-skinned; that fewer diately commit to providing free data to young people to the vapours-inducing Regency period of them have proper storylines; that bridge the digital divide which threatens to derail the life drama Bridgerton would have been though the question of race is explicitly chances of millions of students. watched by 63 million households. raised in this fantasy version of Regency Yet the ultimate responsibility lies with the Secretary of That’s even more than the number that London society (the show takes and runs State. In an era of Brexit division, Gavin Williamson has devour Lady Whistledown’s society with the theory that Queen Charlotte united the country in the view that he is simply not up to gossip sheet during the London season. was the first British royal with African the job. He had nine months to prepare for this moment, As soon as the show landed on Christ- lineage), it doesn’t really dig into it. No to get the contingencies in place over exams and equip- mas Day, social media lit up with Titillating: Regé-Jean Page and Phoebe doubt this is deliberate, but it does not ment to make online learning work. swooning posts, salivating over its lus- Dynevor star in this Regency drama please everyone, and fair enough. But The announcement that the BBC will produce educa- cious look, its raunchy romance and its can it be a coincidence? tional programming is, of course, welcome, but what outrageously hot leads, Phoebe Dyne- people having huge amounts of hot sex. It felt to me, before there wasn’t any would make far more difference is a fully-realised gov- vor as débutante Daphne Bridgerton But it’s not only me, and those aren’t theatre, that the people who put things ernment plan on e-learning, laptops for students and free and (especially) the ridiculously gor- the only reasons. Produced by Shonda on stage and screen were finally begin- data. It takes a village to raise a child, so goes the proverb. geous Regé-Jean Page as her sparring Rhimes’s Shondaland outfit as part of ning to realise that if you cast people This cannot wait for a reshuffle. Williamson needs to leave partner and love interest, Simon Basset, a mega-deal with Netflix, Bridgerton who look like people, people want to town now. Duke of Hastings. has been hailed as a game-changer for see your show. Bridgerton’s popularity Why, for heaven’s sake? I loved it, period drama due to its colour-inclusive is a shining, if imperfect, example of Listen and subscribe to The Leader podcast at: because I’m a sucker for a silly, frilly casting. Page is a black man; his friend, that. Let’s hope it changes the tradi- standard.co.uk/the leader romance with smart quips, Olym- Lady Danbury, is played by the black tional image of the “bankable star” for pic-standard eyebrow raises and hot British actress Adjoa Andoh; Queen good. EVENING STANDARD WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 13 | Comment

The Reader Your letters

Long-term plan needed to build back better WE welcome the Chancellor’s new £4.6 billion package to support struggling businesses amid the toughest Covid-19 restrictions since last spring. The Government has put an emphasis on tackling short-term issues but is yet to devise a long-term strategy to tackle challenges exacerbated by the pandemic, such as our faltering productivity and widening skills gap. This will prove detrimental for businesses and societies in the long term as we seek to recover. To build back better, we must deliver both short-term actions and long-term proposals to invest in people, stimulate innovation and shift to a greener economy. This includes ensuring that we retrain those on furlough so they can bring in new skills when their companies can operate again, and investing in green infrastructure ⬤ To order prints or signed copies call 0191 603 0178 or visit eveningstandard.newsprints.co.uk ⬤ Contact Adams at: [email protected] ⬤ Instagram: @adamstoon supporting a net-zero recovery and future business sustainability. Andrew Harding Chief executive, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants EDITOR’S REPLY Jim Armitage City Editor Hula-hooping, painting, burlesque — I’m trying Dear Andrew I don’t share your enthusiasm for yesterday’s aid deal. Grants are fine, but what those shuttered by everything to keep lockdown sadness at bay lockdowns need most is a pledge from the Government to extend relief on VAT and business rates NEARLY missed this commission 25 per cent had felt lonely — including their (misplaced) fury gives them pur- way beyond March 31. Only with because it landed in my inbox as Marie 34 per cent of those aged 25 to 34 — and pose. Instead, I spent days wishing the this certainty can they reassure my first ever online hula-hooping 18 per cent felt hopeless. Only around Government would call for another banks they are good for the money Iclass was about to start. It isn’t the half of young people said they were cop- lockdown then burst out crying when it they must borrow. You’re right on most obvious lockdown sport but Le Conte ing well or very well with the restrictions, did. At least I still have my social bubble green investment and training, beggars can’t be choosers. and a quarter of 18- to 24-year-olds had — here’s hoping it isn’t another thing but a tidalwave of unemployment Only two weeks earlier, I’d discovered experienced suicidal thoughts. they take away from us. awaits if Rishi Sunak doesn’t the wonders of heated outdoor pools The roller-coaster of regulations hasn’t relent on tax relief soon. — still open in Tier 4 — and purchased helped either; since October, we have THE oddest thing happened this Jim a swimsuit, a swimming cap and a club lived in a constant state of morning. I woke up, reached membership. It felt absurd to feel so anxiety, aware that whatever for my phone and there it grateful for the ability to get changed we have found to make life was: a piece of good news. Use schools as outside in the middle of winter, but at bearable may be taken from Democrats Raphael Warnock least I’d found something to keep the us at a moment’s notice. Do At least I still and Jon Ossoff looked set to vaccine centres madness at bay. I managed to go three you like meeting your friends have my win both seats in the Georgia times before it shut again. indoors? Too late, it’s now Senate run-off. Victory WITH schools shut, turn them Before swimming there was online forbidden. Seeing them on an social bubble means the party will have into vaccination centres. And use ballet; before that there was burlesque, outdoors terrace? No longer — here’s control of the Senate, but also the fact that all of us will be at drawing, clay, needle-punching, vogue- allowed, sorry. Hell, fancy hoping it much more than that. War- home, available night and day to ing, painting, learning Spanish, learning sitting on a park bench in nock, the son of a cotton receive vaccines. If we can get 30 ASL, Irish dancing and video games. I January and briefly catching isn’t another picker, will be the first ever million people into voting booths live alone and am as extroverted as one up with someone? Hah! thing they black senator to represent on one day for a general election, can be, and the past 10 months have Banned as well. Georgia, and only the second surely we can get 30 million been hell. Like a plant needs water to The anguish comes in many take from us to ever represent a Southern people into vaccine centres over a survive, I wilt when left with no social forms; sometimes it is sharp, state. Warnock and Ossoff’s few weeks to avoid catastrophe. contact; because solitude has often been as it was when the third lockdown was triumph would also be the crowning Giselle Green the only choice since March, I desper- announced on Monday. Most of the time achievement of Stacey Abrams, who ately try to keep myself busy enough to it is a mute, constant ache in the back- lost in the state’s 2018 gubernatorial forget how sad I am. ground, slowly growing inside you the election then vowed to fight against Have your say Of course, I am not the only one. In its longer you are stuck alone indoors. Still, voter suppression. Her efforts paid off. Email: [email protected] study conducted in late November, the the worst of it all is the knowledge that This run-off also marked the end of Twitter: @ESTheReader Mental Health Foundation found that this exhausting, nerve-wracking ordeal the grasp CNN’s Magic Wall had on my Online: standard.co.uk/thereader 45 per cent of the UK population had felt is the right thing to do. life. Farewell, Wolf Blitzer and John Please give daytime phone number. Letters anxious or worried in the past fortnight. In a way, I envy the deniers; at least King; see you at the midterms? withholding name and address will not be published. 14 WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 EVENING STANDARD

Fearne yearns Naomi’s hobby? Lockdown? That’s for radio silence Just browsing life, says Esther FEARNE COTTON says this NAOMI CAMPBELL may DAME Esther Rantzen is looking year her resolutions are not be a global supermodel, on the bright side of lockdown. about “loudly roaring” but are all but her hobby is rather modest: “I don’t feel nostalgic about my old about “calmly striding towards she loves visiting pharmacies. normal,” the TV presenter says, adding what feels good” and that “When you get me into a “I quite enjoy being a hermit, or I have includes turning off TalkRadio. pharmacy or a drug so far… My greatest decision is which “I will start small by telling the store I could be there for of my three woolly onesies to wear next taxi driver who is blaring hours. It could be from a today.” Instead lockdown has out TalkRadio that I would plastic empty bottle… “obliterated” all the choices she used prefer silence rather than could be a new razor,” @Londoners_Diary [email protected] to have to make. “No alarm needs to gritting my teeth for the whole she enthused to fans on be set, I’m going nowhere,” she journey home,” the presenter her Naomi YouTube writes in the Ham & High, “not even tells Grazia. After Talk Radio’s channel. Describing her for my second jab (as I’m 80 I had my YouTube channel was briefly obsession, she adds: Edited by Robbie Smith first Pfizer just before Christmas).” suspended yesterday, does “Don’t know, just love Instead she’s assisting The Silver Cotton have more power than drug stores. I’m always Line, her helpline for older people. we know? looking, browsing.” Fair cop. Winslet: Call me crazy, but London’s too lax on wearing face masks KATE WINSLET has claimed she’s “dreading” returning to London because of coronavirus. “I will wear a mask, I will wear a face shield and people will look at me like I’m crazy ’cause not everyone’s doing that, but they should be,” she said. The star, who has a multimillion- pound house in West Wittering in Sussex, reveals that she visited the capital only once last year, in August. Winslet also hit out at what she believes are lax British borders. “It’s still really bad because we never closed our borders,” she told The Australian, adding: “If we had we closed our borders, we would have been just fine, but no leader decided to do that.” The actress, who stars as fossil- hunter Mary Anning in new film Ammonite, has been enjoying the parts of of lockdown. Last autumn she admitted she was happy not to be “getting into those f***ing dressed and those f***ing shoes” for press junkets. Easy to say you dread the capital from the walls of your

south coast pile, we think… BENETT DAVE Paloma’s faith in pal Porter PALOMA FAITH can count her lucky stars. American musician Gregory Porter recalls how he was once walking through the New York subway with his wife “ready to karate chop anybody in the side of the head that comes too close to me and my lady, ready to uppercut, knee, roundhouse anybody or anything… cos I’m walking in New York City”. Then, he tells his podcast, “outta nowhere this small blonde figure leaps into the air and grabs me around my neck [shouting] ‘Gregory! Gregory!’ So my wife balls up her fists, and she’s like ‘do I need to hit this chick in the ribs?’” The exuberant British singer was saved from a pulping by Porter exclaiming “no, everything’s cool, this is my home girl”. A Paloma palaver.

⬤ JOHNNY MERCER’S effort to ⬤ LAURENCE FOX is offering support his constituents with an up some “potential opportunities” “ask me anything” Facebook Live for his most loyal supporters to event last night was valiant, but become even more engaged with not without its trolls. The Tory MP The Reclaim Party. The Lewis star gamely read out questions as they says people who are interested in came in, including “Do challenging “hopeless postmodern moustaches prevent Covid?” and ideologies” should keep an eye out SW1A “If you didn’t have thumbs and you on his political party’s website. The tried to eat jam sandwiches, Londoner understands that this would the bottoms fall off?”. He comes after a few of his employees confessed he didn’t know. had to be let go. EVENING STANDARD WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 15

DELI DELIGHTS! TAKE YOUR GROCERIES UP A LEVEL PAGE 17

Stepping up to the plate: after an award-winning stint as ES Magazine’s critic, Jimi takes over from Fay Maschler

WO restaurant critics walk all the noise around my appointment into a diner. Not, on this — beyond the people flooding my Twit- occasion, the set up for a joke ter mentions to cheerily detail the size with a self-mocking punch- of the task ahead of me, the Sasquatch- line but instead an accurate enormity of the shoes I’d be trying to Tdescription of what was to be both my fill — that there may be a logic and final dine-in meal of 2020 and — some- straightforwardness to me winning this what symbolically — my first ever plummest of plum gigs; that, after two meeting with Fay Maschler. Off I went, award-winning years writing about wheeling my bike through the pre-Tier restaurants for ES Magazine and 3 bedlam of Heddon Street’s packed becoming a face-cramming regular on outdoor terraces, until I found MasterChef, I might have earned it. Fay, waiting at a table inside the mod- Yes, there is daunting pressure, inten- ish fever dream of Mourad Mazouz’s sified by the slight snag of an active Mo Diner. pandemic and the crushing It was two days after it reality of yet more confine- had been announced ment (on which much more that, after her 48 peerless in a moment). But Fay’s years in the role, I would generous blessing on that day be taking over as chief res- gave encouragement to my taurant critic of the Evening Stand- strange sense of calm. And I think, ard. And while I do not think we had really, that feeling comes from the fact necessarily planned this long post- that, boiled down to its fundamentals, poned lunch (very much a business this is a job I’ve been preparing for meeting, for those keeping score as far almost all my life. as Covid protocols are concerned) as A lot of this flows from my British- some ceremonial, torch-passing occa- Nigerian upbringing. Mine was an sion, it felt sort of perfect. Following Eighties and Nineties childhood meas- five years of occasional email corre- ured out in impulsive post-church trips spondence and social near-misses, to Leicester Square for roasted chest- there we were, jointly exhaling after a nuts, Saturday yam-buying expeditions fairly overwhelming week and unani- ‘This is a job I’ve to the pungent crush of Woolwich Mar- mously deciding that, yes, this was ket, and paper plates of steaming jollof almost certainly an occasion that called rice, eaten at crowded family parties in for champagne. the deafening crossfire of uncles locked I won’t go into too much more detail in a good-natured quarrel. I am trying, about the meal (though, let it be known been preparing these days, to ration mentions of my that it was an extremely fun, two-hour mother in relation to my culinary biog- whirl of unprintable gossip, generously raphy. But she is the unavoidable Alpha dispensed wisdom and a shared portion and Omega of my relationship with of crispy potatoes, hit with a zinging food; a formidable, tireless little woman aerial bombardment of mojo verde and (picture, if you can, a West African Peggy saffron aioli) but I do want to publicly for my whole life’ Mitchell) who raised me and my two express gratitude for an early bit of older brothers completely on her own, nerve-steadying loveliness. “I’m glad is one of the most innately talented it’s you that got the job,” she said casu- RESTAURANTS cooks I know, and has such a mad ally, as I first arranged my legs beneath zeal for overfeeding everyone she the poky table. I mention it not as a comes into contact with that she may flagrant bit of humblebragging (or, at Our new chief restaurant critic Jimi Famurewa writes be single-handedly propping up the least, not only as that). But because it was a welcome reminder that beyond about his life in food — and bagging the best gig in town Continued on Page 16 NATASHA PSZENICKI NATASHA 16 WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 EVENING STANDARD The Reveller |

Continued from Page 15 and our restaurants are mortally imper- illed — indefinitely required to close for Tupperware industry. Meals growing all but takeaway and delivery thanks to up were a kind of freeform Anglo- the surging spread of coronavirus, dealt African fusion — fried plantain and another bodyblow by the new lockdown proper, thick-cut chips; brick-red beef — feels like the stuff of a fairytale curse. stews; spaghetti bolognese spiked with It has been hard, too, through the lurch- scotch bonnet — eaten on laps in the ing lockdown Hokey Cokey of the past relative chaos of a south-east London year to feel anything but demoralised home where the telly was always on and by both the intractable reality of the there was usually at least one additional pandemic and the persistent govern- “cousin” to feed. I think, especially as a ment bungling that has inflicted par- mopey teenager, I probably slightly ticular pain and uncertainty on those resented the noise and anarchy of our that work in hospitality. dinner times. But now I see howw Still, to my mind, one of the more lucky I was to grow up in an environ-n- heartening features of 2020 was that it ment where food represented some-e- made us truly cherish what we had — thing sacred, free and joyful: a timee and also encouraged creativity in both for generosity, cultural celebrationn restaurateurs and diners that bordered and dexterously seasoned magicc on compulsion. When I look back on coaxed from unpromising raww some of my happiest eating memories ingredients. of last year, I think of the giddy return Absent in all of this, you’ll notice, to newly Covid-secure restaurant tables is many actual restaurants. Myy Good taste: (from at Chuku’s and The French House, plus mother’s culinary gifts and general top, clockwise) the pandemic-prompted ingenuity of mistrust of paying someone else to Jimi with his something like The Tramshed Project cook meant there were no early mum circa 2010, or Forza Wine’s Italian mealkit feasts. excursions to local trattorie or and as a baby, But I also think of Four Legs burgers childhood twirls of a Chinatown enjoying a meal ravaged in the glow of an outdoor lazy Susan. But what this meant last year, lunching heater, Darjeeling Express chai on a was — as my boyhood proclivity for at the Towpath park bench, and al fresco sandwiches cooking programmes met the Big Cafe this summer, from Bright alongside the other bun- Bang of Jamie Oliver bish, bash, boshinghi and a 2009 meal dled, food-hype hobos in London Fields. his way into the consciousness — that at Soho stalwart This week’s vaccine rollout offers hope there was room for me to find my own Andrew Edmunds that it will be one last push (oh god, let way; to discover what I liked unencum- it be one last push) to a brighter spring. bered by any parental baggage And if you add in the intriguing restau- and become a self-taught restaurant rants that should open properly later obsessive. this year (a Notting Hill branch of New Initially, this translated to the unim- ignoreig the significance of taking up knowledgeable precision, curiosity, York-born bistro Buvette; Imad’s Syrian aginable sophistication and glamour of thist exalted space as a black man courage and sense of fun that always Kitchen in Kingly Court) then I think eating a Sloppy Giuseppe with a knife (particularly( after the long overdue, struck me as the defining characteris- there is cause to be tentatively hopeful and fork (!) at PizzaExpress, Cockney- BlackB Lives Matter-prompted soci- tics of Fay’s reviews; to continue to that things can swing back to positivity descended mates inducting me into the etale awakening of last year) would reflect the thrumming, surprising, truly just as abruptly as they swung to the arcane, vinegar-doused rituals of pie beb folly. But my heritage is just one grimly familiar narrative of closures, job and mash shops, and skint university elemente of what shapes my losses and despair. That by the end of days in windowless curry houses where responser to any given restaurant this year we will be looking back on a we all muttered a hopeful prayer as we (nuzzled( in beside the fact I’m a resurgent, somewhat democratised handed over our debit cards. pub pop-up in 2011. Then came Polpo’s state-educated dad of two, a lapsed 2020 made us cherish what culinary landscape that gave us new Later, after I landed back in London, dollhouse wine tumblers, glistening indie kid and a semi-reformed skate- we had — and encouraged cooking talent, hardier, more apprecia- it was older, urbane colleagues telling mattresses of St John Welsh rarebit and, boarder who used to spend teenage tive diners and as yet unknown pleas- me about The Gaylord, Andrew in 2018, my first proper restaurant weekends hurling himself down the an innovation and creativity ures at a restaurant table. Edmunds or the lahmacun-scented reviews and the sudden sense of a light steps at the Southbank). And the great in restaurateurs and diners I truly feel that I can practically taste utopia of Green Lanes; gateway recom- going on or a Tetris block falling into revelation of the past few years has it. And though I cannot say exactly when mendations that set me, over the next place; that this had been waiting for me been that the things that perhaps set things will decisively improve, I can decade, on a ravenous path to discov- all along. Restaurant writing is a game me apart as a critic are strengths not diverse dining city that I love and am promise you that my lifelong hunger ering everything from Ciao Bella’s of perspective, pleasure and cultural weaknesses; qualities that may open desperate to see back on its feet. for all that this city has to offer has never burnished rugby ball calzones to the excavation; an opportunity for some- this rarified, wine-sniffing world up Which, I’d say, just about brings us to been more pronounced. And that, each brusque, Sichuan genius of Silk Road one with a specific viewpoint to enter- somewhat to those that have always the rampantly infectious elephant in week, I will strive to bring it closer to and the exhilarating chaos and charred tainingly tell the evolving story of a city, wrongly assumed it is not for them. the room. To be handed this dream job you, every step — and every bite — of bovine fug of MeatLiquor’s New Cross and a country, through its food. To My hope, ultimately, is to emulate the at a time when Londoners are dying the way.

STARS SHELLEY VON STRUNCKEL IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY ...

Aries March 20 – April 18 Cancer June 21 – July 21 Libra September 22 – October 22 Capricorn December 21 – January 18 You may already sense, or even have Your ruler Mars’s move into one of the most practical Long ago you learnt there’s no point in arguing with One particular individual is a non-stop complainer, so Long ago you learnt that one of the best ways to win experienced, the amazing changes in both angles of your chart, and the down to earth Taurus, somebody who’s convinced they’re right. Yet you fear much you often ignore them. However they’ve found a over those who disagree or are just plain stubborn circumstances and your perspective indicated marks the beginning of a powerful new cycle. It’s also that if certain individuals continue with their plans, while new complaint and they’re trying to draw you in. about worthwhile changes is to listen to their concerns, by your birthday chart. Exciting as this is, it will about facing boring details. Still, get involved. 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But 0904 470 1141 (65p per minute)* 0904 470 1144 (65p per minute)* 0904 470 1147 (65p per minute)* 0904 470 1150 (65p per minute)* gradually you’ll realise those changes in Taurus April 19 – May 19 Leo July 22 – August 21 Scorpio October 23 – November 21 Aquarius January 19 – February 18 circumstances are as lasting as, ultimately, During recent months you’ve almost given up Being a fire sign, you think swiftly and as a result can The fact somebody hasn’t been entirely honest about While you really do enjoy hearing about what others are they’ll be beneficial. The biggest challenge is discussing new ideas. This was partly because of take action before you’ve explored and discussed all of matters is nothing new. While that didn’t matter then, with up to, especially new ideas or ventures, the idea of relaxing and enjoying it all. practical issues. But also you couldn’t help but worry your options. 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Soon Shelley’s Astrologers on tentative, if not a bit of an experiment. views of life are discussed and described. excitement for their present and future. those efforts will pay off, and handsomely. 0906 400 1008** 0904 470 1143 (65p per minute)* 0904 470 1146 (65p per minute)* 0904 470 1149 (65p per minute)* 0904 470 1152 (65p per minute)* (£1.50 per minute) DO YOU WANT A LIVE CONSULTATION WITH ONE OF SHELLEY’S TEAM OF PROFESSIONAL ASTROLOGERS? CALL 0906 400 1008** NOW *Astro line horoscopes are updated every Friday. Calls cost 65p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge and will last approximately five minutes. **0906 number costs £1.50 per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge. Maximum call duration for live services is 20 minutes. Service open daily from 8am-1am. You must be over 18 years old to use this service. Calls recorded and regulated by PhonePayPlus. For entertainment purposes only. Service provided by Spoke. Customer service: 0333 202 3392 EVENING STANDARD WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 17 | The Reveller Fill your fridge with food fit for a chef FOOD & DRINK ⬤ Portobello Dock, W10, joyatportobello.co.uk Restaurants are Westerns Laundry raiding their larders The Drayton Park favourite is opening each Friday through and reopening as Sunday with sandwiches, sour- dough and sausage rolls along- delis. Swap the side pastries, coffee and cakes supermarket basics (all from Jolene and the Big Jo bakery), alongside plenty of for local treats, fresh vegetables. Sweetly, it also has bunches of flowers to says David Ellis brighten things up with. ⬤ 34 Drayton Park, N5, THIRD lockdown might not westernslaundry.com be the “welcome to 2021!” we were hoping for but at Ombra least little has changed Just as they did back in food-wise: deliveries and March, Hackney Italian takeawaysA are still allowed — though Ombra is once again remod- takeaway booze is now out — while the elling itself as a pastificio and lockdown order means Londoners delicatessen for those chan- should stay local. With the rules likely nelling their inner nonna. to be in place until at least March, Fresh pasta is the big draw upping your shopping game is one way here and comes with an array to keep spirits up through this bleakest of takeaway sauces and is sold of midwinters; these are the restau- alongside everything Italian, rants-turned-delis offering to add a from truffles to tiramisu. little extra to your essentials. Stock up: The ⬤ 1 Vyner Street, E2, Melusine, main, is ombrabar.restaurant The Melusine known for its fish. The dockside seafood specialist has Top, Darby’s The Quality Chop House fresh fish arriving daily, with lemon hatch offers daily Highlights at The Chop House include sole, bream and brill regularly on the pastries, while fresh produce boxes (choose between list, alongside scallops, crab, octopus Shop Joy sells a “basic” and “peak” provisions), chut- and oysters (at just a quid a pop). bit of everything. neys, sauces, ferments, cakes, pasta, They also do dishes to finish Left, Ombra does plenty of those colourful Ortiz tins of at home. Details are on Italian dishes fish, jams and jellies. Pies and bits to the website but the finish at home are also offered — WhatsApp group is the Brindisa for their supplies; it sells through the website can also be col- including their famous confit potatoes, way to go: message meat, fish, fruit and veg, and var- lected, though they’re available for at £5 a pop for a pack of six. A worthy them on 0207 702 ious essentials including delivery too. The hatch opens every indulgence. 2976 to get involved. everything from milk and butter The Tuesday to Sunday, 10am–4pm. ⬤ 88-94 Farringdon Road, EC1, ⬤ St Katharine to pasta and oil, alongside meals Clarence ⬤ 3 Viaduct Gardens, SW11, dar- thequalitychophouse.com Docks, E1W, to heat up at home. can still be bys-london.com themelusine.co.uk ⬤ 102 Stoke Newington Church Farang Street, N16, clarencetavern.com your local Joy at Portobello Farang’s Thai larder has been one of the The Clarence — only, Stevie Parle and Tom Dixon’s Portobello few consistent things since Covid first Tavern Darby’s instead of Dock co-operative Joy has expanded its hit. It returns on January 13 with the The Clarence can still be Its excellent wine list might now grocery, Shop Joy. Now open seven days usual array of in-house marinated your local, only, instead of be out but the ever-popular popping in a week, it offers just about everything meats and fish, spices, snacks and Thai popping in for a pint, stock the hatch is back serving pastries for a pint, to keep the fridge, cupboards and larder recipe kits. Ready-to-heat meals are pantry. The pub is working with and coffee alongside fresh full: there’s a huge range of fruit and also available, as is hot food to go. names including Neals Yard Dairy, pasta, charcuterie, cheese stock the veg, cheese, ham, fresh fish, a fully ⬤ 72 Highbury Park, N5, Swaledale Foods, Spence Bakery and and bread. Meal kits ordered pantry operating butcher and a bakery to boot. faranglondon.co.uk

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The answer the letters within each circle can be arranged to diagonally in any direction. Insert the remaining to each question will suggest to you the name form words, names or terms on a common Indulge in a heavenly letters of the alphabet (except Z) in the grid so of a station at which you should stop to change theme. What are the three words, and the letter spa day for two with that all the listed words are spelt out in this way. to a new line or branch. represented by the question mark? this flexible experience voucher REGENT’S PARK BYE IIAD from Buyagift. You’ll G K N H C DUB Which London landmark was the subject of the L.S. enjoy full access to FLEX Lowry painting sold at auction for £5,641,250 in 2011? E spa facilities at your FLOW E V G R A P I S GAVEL chosen location, as GRAPHICS Which station sounds like a way of being and a US TV ? well a 25-minute JOIN F R Q V M O W MELT series starring Hugh Laurie? LH treatment per OPAQUE person. Relaxation is D U E L J SINK OUO high on the agenda at If A is encoded as E, which station appears here: KSWTIP SEO? one of a selection of B Y X T F SW

popular UK venues. solutions: standard.co.uk/gogenanswers For Voucher valid for 24 Which station is an anagram of SCOWL UNTIL NINE, JED? Don’t miss tomorrow’s paper for another chance to enter months. This week’s A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Need a little help getting started? Text or call theme is leaf shapes. our clueline for a keyword clue. Text ES 3 21 12 22 11 TO ENTER: Text CIRCLECLUE to 85100. Texts cost £1 plus your ES CODEWORD MARYLEBONE standard network charge*. Or call 0901 293 14 20 12 15 15 5 19 9 25 15 26 Play more puzzles: followed by your standard.co.uk/ 5270. Calls cost £1 plus your network access 18 25 9 26 2 20 4 15 answer to 85100 by Yesterday’s solution: KILBURN, Green Park, charge*. 23:59 tonight (eg: ES games Hammersmith, Cannon Street, Barbican, Yesterday’s solution: A. Antelope, giraffe, 20 9 4 9 16 23 26 20 CODEWORD BARKING buffalo, all ruminants. CORDATE). Texts cost 3269813 25 14 £1 plus your standard BATTLESHIPS SUDOKU 9 24 18 15 10 23 20 22 16 6 network charge. Or For solutions: standard.co.uk/sudokuanswers H A S call 0901 292 5008. 1 2345678910 Solutions Fill the grid 15 24 1 9 6 Calls cost £1 plus your can be   with the network access A 3 found online numbers 1 to 9 21 10 15 20 8 26 20 25 21 4 charge*. B 3 at: standard.   so that each co.uk/ row, column 15 3 15 26 14 9 25 C 1  Need a little help solutions   and 3x3 block 9 17 16 24 16 15 24 14 getting started? Text D 4     contains the or call our clueline for E 0 numbers 1 to 9. 16 7 24 7 32413 9 up to four extra clues.     Target: 30 min. Text ES WORDCLUE F 2 6 15 26 9 1 9 10 13 10 15 7 to 85100. Texts cost G 2     6 2 19 6 21 £1 plus your standard network charge. Or H 1    call 0905 652 6230. I 2 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Calls cost £1 plus your   J 2 network access 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 charge*. 1312141151   14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 For a chance to win £50 complete the Sudoku puzzle to discover the A S H THE FLEET 1 x Battleship 3 x Destroyer numbers in the three shaded squares. Text ES SUDOKU followed by 2 x Cruiser 4 x Submarine your answer (reading left to right) and name to 85100 e.g. ES SUDOKU 15 26 26 9 4 16 9 3 Yesterday’s codeword: Find where the fleet of ships is hidden in the grid. The numbers to the right of 123 John Smith. Texts cost £1 plus your standard network charge*. OBOVATE and below the grid show how many squares in that row are filled in with ships One prize of £50 is available each week. Answers and clues change each day at 23:59. Usual promotion rules apply; see www.standard.co.uk/rules.* Phone & Text Services Helpline: 0800 839 174. One prize or parts of ships. Some squares have been filled in to start you off, a coloured of A Spa Day Voucher. 18+. Restrictions may apply and vary depending on your chosen experience. Terms & Conditions will be sent with the voucher. One winner will The winner will be chosen from all correct entries received between Monday at 00:01 and Friday at 23:59. Texts after this be selected at random from all correct answers received from 4/1/2021 to 11/1/2021.. square denotes a clear space. Ships do not touch each other, even diagonally. time will not be entered but you may still be charged. Answers change each day at 23:59. Text helpline 0800 839 174.

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CRYPTIC ACROSS DOWN DOUBLE CROSSWORD 1 Athlete’s garment? (6) 1 Container causing a traffic problem EASY ACROSS DOWN 7 Does such a book give fitness advice? (8) and a shock (3,3) 2 1 8 Permit for a girl to go to South Africa? (4) Far from pleased when paid only 1 Population count (6) Prickly plant (6) 2 Dazed state (6) 10 Union man? (6) about a quarter (6) 7 Alienate (8) 3 Behind the right-hand auricle (4) 3 Badger’s burrow (4) 11 Character, I note, interrupting a game (6) 4 8 Blast (4) 4 14 Short film of a misdirected retrial (7) Referee (7) Something fishy that won’t hold 5 Historic title of the governor of 10 Kitchen item (6) 5 Breaks (5) water (3) Mainz? (5) 11 Clinging mollusc (6) 6 God (5) 16 The French start Monday with 6 Devilish Donald has got me wrong! (5) 14 Throw (3) 8 Festival (4) something juicy (5) 8 It bears fruit in a number of ways (4) 9 16 Irritable (5) Weep (3) 17 Was sorry to have sounded rude (4) 9 Ancient god of TV? (3) 12 Short for Melvin (3) 17 19 She has a broken heel, by the way (5) 12 Diminutive insurgent leader (3) Disfigurement (4) 13 Anaesthetic (5) 21 Hang around too much with a 13 Norma’s terrible Italian (5) 19 Wooden peg (5) 15 Now (5) 15 hothead (5) Figure to have done wrong outside 21 Drink (5) 18 Light boat (5) the area (5) 19 22 Something afoot that may wreck 18 22 Wanderer (5) Dark (3) If struggling in cracking a nut, one 20 Marry (3) boats (5) must be so weak! (5) 23 Rotate (4) 23 Federation’s abundant share (4) 21 Tree (7) 19 Where a goblin can keep warm (3) 26 Theme (5) 22 26 James Bond’s boss is royal, but a 20 Pinch (3) Suffer in terrible trouble (3) 28 Marsh (3) 23 cheapskate (5) 21 Worries due to some risk of a faulty Monotony (6) 29 24 28 Contractor’s confirmation? (3) share-out (7) Gun (6) Single entity (4) 25 Spry (6) 29 Popular cricketer, nicknamed, but he has 22 View from the bishop’s window (3) 30 Element (6) 23 26 Cloth (5) his irrational haters (6) Not happy with the beer (6) 31 Egress (4) 27 30 24 Operates buses that won’t start (4) Heathen (5) Find out by investigating Ted, etc. (6) 25 32 Assess (8) 28 Mammal (3) 31 Food of love for the Auxiliary Territorial Keep in date, possibly (6) 26 A country area to spoil, on the 33 Harm (6) 30 Pip (4) Service? (4) 32 quiet! (5) YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS ON PAGE 24 Observes what may be seen, you’ll 27 Are such shanks legs of mutton? (5) *If you call or text after competition closing dates you will not be entered, but you may still be agree (3,5) 28 Leaves on the clipper, perhaps? (3) charged. By using our competition text and phone services you are agreeing to receive occasional 33 Lecture given by moaners, who’ve 30 sms messages from Evening Standard Ltd informing you of promotions and events. You will not be Females are not soft-hearted charged for receiving these messages and you may opt out by texting STOP to the originating

somehow lost an article (6) dopes! (4) number at any time. 06/01/2021 EVENING STANDARD WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 19

FTSE 100 £1 buys £1 buys Stay up to date while you WFH 6,704.32 $1.3655 €1.1065 All the latest news and analysis from up 92.07 up 1.3657 cent down 0.16 cent our team  standard.co.uk/business

FTSE 250 1 Bitcoin buys €1 buys Our share tips for 2021 20,753.92 $34,307 $1.23 Evening Standard stock-pickers offer their up 36.55 up $542 up 0.42 cent bets for firms to back this year  Page 21

City Editor Jim Armitage Read by more City people than the Financial Times, standard.co.uk/business Daily Telegraph and The Times combined

Devil in the Brexit SERVICES SEE detail protecting SHRINKAGE BUT Bullish Greggs OPTIMISM HITS UK consumers SIX-YEAR HIGH plans to expand THE sustained Jim Covid-19 clampdown despite first loss is holding the brakes Armitage on the UK’s massive GREGGS has posted its first annual loss services sector, which since it floated in 1984, but the bakery shrank for the second chain is feeling confident to expand. month in a row in COMMENT The firm had a tough 2020. Total sales December according dropped to £811 million in the 52 weeks to a key survey today. IN THEIR wisdom, our ministers to January 2, from £1.2 billion a year The IHS Markit/ put fish in front of financial earlier, and fourth quarter sales fell to CIPS PMI Index services in the Brexit trade talks. £293 million from £344 million. posted a headline The City was left to regulators to Footfall is expected to remain low as figure of 49.4, up sort out among themselves. people are urged to stay at home in the from 47.6 in It’s early days, but they seem to latest lockdown. Greggs expects a November, but still have done a decent job, full-year pre-tax loss of up to £15 million, below the threshold protecting the stability of banking down from a £108.3 million profit. The value of 50 which and trading with temporary loss is less deep than expected. indicates growth. agreements. Boss Roger Whiteside pointed to However, business But when it comes to protection positives in the group’s net cash optimism for the next of UK consumers, perhaps less so. position of £37 million, high demand for 12 months hit its A little-noticed Financial home deliveries, and plans to open highest level for Conduct Authority statement on around 100 net new shops this year. almost six years, as New Year’s Eve suggests a system Joanna Bourke hopes rose of a that’s shaky at best. post-vaccine late Under a thing called the 2021 rebound. temporary permissions regime, European firms can now flog the British public investments OLYMPIC £230M without offering them a shred of WIN BRINGS protection from the Financial Clampdown on Bitcoin buying SHARE BOOST Services Compensation Scheme, FOR AGGREKO which pays if a firm goes belly up. AGGREKO shares Not only that, but the FCA rose today after the admits Brits investing in these ‘could raise danger to investors’ temporary power firms may not be covered by specialist said it had equivalent lifeboats in Europe. agreed a new Furthermore, you may be CRYPTOCURRENCY breeds of investor. Yesterday JP Morgan profile of their clients for these products. contract with the unable to appeal to the Financial Simon English said it could quadruple from here, say- Investors who want to gain access to this organisers of this Ombudsman Service if ing it is in competition with gold as a asset class are now left with less secure summer’s delayed something goes wrong. A CLAMPDOWN on how UK investors store of value, a serious nudge from the The FCA’s ways to invest in Bitcoin.” Tokyo Olympics. The You could try pursuing your can buy Bitcoin and other crypto cur- world’s biggest bank. decision Jason Brown at blockchain group work is expected to complaint in the firm’s home rencies comes into force today, with The FCA clampdown means means Komodo said: “When the ban was passed be worth about $315 country, but, the FCA shrugs, you leading industry players warning it will Bitcoin derivatives, a common invest- means by the UK government in October, there million (£231.6 might not have much luck. merely increase the risk to naïve punt- ment, can no longer be held in ISAs or UK-based was no co-ordination with officials in the million) in revenues, The FCA’s advice to those ers lured by their sudden surge in value. SIPPs and are not protected under retail US, EU, or any other regions around the better than the $250 worried if they’re protected reads Bitcoin has romped to fresh highs, compensation schemes. Nor can they world. What the blockchain industry million-plus forecast like another shrug: ask the firm, it putting a move by the Financial Con- be held alongside other shares in invest- investors needs the most is consistent regulations in the City. Analysts says. duct Authority first unveiled in October ment portfolios such as ETFs. could across jurisdictions.” at Jefferies said the Fine if the company is honest, into the spotlight. Bradley Duke, CEO of crypto firm ETC He added: “Cryptoassets like Bitcoin are update boosted but not all are. The watchdog is banning the sale of Group, said: “The FCA’s decision means increase their becoming increasingly popular with confidence that the Less still the advisers who do crypto products such as derivatives, UK-based retail investors who want risk of losing investors. They provide many benefits to Games can still go the selling. claiming they are “ill-suited”. It said: exposure to Bitcoin and other cryp- keys and investors from diversification to strong ahead in July — even Dame Gloster’s excoriating “This ban reflects how seriously we view toassets will have to manage their own potential for long-term growth. The FCA’s without spectators report into FCA bosses’ failure to the potential harm to retail investors.” storage, which could increase their risk becoming a decision makes it harder for retail inves- — and also put protect the public from horrors Since then, as fears about the stability of losing keys and becoming a victim of victim of tors to access this, and those that do may upward pressure on like London Capital & Finance of official “fiat” currencies such as the cyber-crime. It also removes the ‘safety cyber-crime be achieving this through channels and the firm’s earnings must still be ringing in their ears. pound and dollar grow, Bitcoin has net’ for retail investors provided by the products that are riskier and provide less forecasts. The FTSE Ah well, fingers crossed... soared. It is up this year from £6000 to suitability guidance of investment advi- Bradley Duke protection than those being banned.” 250 shares lifted 11p @ArmitageJim more than £25,000, attracting new sors assessing the risk appetite and ETC Group @SimonEngStand to 650.5p, a 2% gain. 20 WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 EVENING STANDARD Business |

HITS OF GOLD HIPGNOSIS SIGNS NEIL YOUNG Survey shows 60% Tribunal found slump in central London office overwhelmingly lettings last year PROPERTY against Deloitte Joanna Bourke THE working-from-home guidance for much of last year and Covid-19 disrup- tion, led to central London office let- over £15m fine tings slumping 60%, according to data. Take-up in 2020 in central London totalled just 4.3 million sq ft, compared ACCOUNTING punishments was made in September, with 10.8 million sq ft the prior year, Jim Armitage today was the first time its findings were preliminary research compiled by prop- fully published. erty agent Savills for the Evening Stand- THE tribunal which upheld the record They paint a picture of an auditor and ard shows. £15 million fine against Deloitte and senior partners beholden to a The firm pointed out there could be two of its senior partners found against big-spending firm and failing to hold it some last-minute deals late last year them on nearly all counts and scorned to account. Autonomy was Deloitte’s that are yet to be announced. their demands for clemency for “co-op- Cambridge office’s sole FTSE-100 client The market was hit last year by Covid eration,” it emerged today. As Knight wrote at the time: “At a per- disruption, with travel restrictions Deloitte and former partners Richard sonal level, the Autonomy relationship making viewings harder. Some bosses Knights and Nigel Mercer were fined is vital to the financial success of the held off on property decisions as they and severely reprimanded last year over office... We have set ourselves a target tried to ride out the virus crisis. their failures to act with “integrity and of increasing revenues to this FTSE Numerous office staff have worked objectivity” over the way Autonomy company by [more than] 20%” from home since March last year, and allegedly aggressively accounted for The tribunal cited evidence that some firms have looked at more remote sales in 2009 and 2010. Deloitte staff had repeatedly voiced and flexible working longer term. The software company founded by concerns internally about Autonomy’s Josh Lamb, director in the City office Mike Lynch was sold to Hewlett-Pack- accounting but that the firm had not agency team at Savills, said: “That the ard for £8.4 billion in 2011 in a deal that acted adequately on them. data shows that overall leasing was quickly soured, resulting in allegations At issue was the way that, in the third substantially down in 2020 compared of fraud from the US buyer. quarter of 2009, Autonomy began boost- with previous years will come as a shock The FRC subsequently alleged ing its revenues by selling low-margin, to no one, but there are positive signs Deloitte allowed the former tech star to even lossmaking, computer hardware that the worst may be over.” flatter its crucial revenue growth fig- as well as its traditional high margin INFLUENTIAL song-writer Neil Young and more than 20 live albums, of which Lamb said by early December Savills ures to the tune of tens of millions of software. Deloitte allowed it to blur the has become the latest artist to cash in 18 have been certified gold, seven are was seeing signs of growing levels of pounds, dramatically inflating profit two in order to come up with a single on his vast back catalogue. platinum and three are multi-platinum. underlying demand for space. He added: margins. revenue growth figure. It also allowed London-listed songs investment fund Founder Merck Mercuriadis said: “The successful roll-out of a vaccine over Deloitte and the two former partners it to expense some losses on the hard- Hipgnosis has bought 50% of the rights “This is a deal that changes Hipgnosis the coming months will support a return fought the case all the way to tribunal ware sales as marketing expenses, to Young’s 1,180 songs recorded during forever and it’s a dream to welcome to the office, so we’re generally optimis- and, while the tribunal’s ruling uphold- flattering profit margins. a 50-year career. Neil.” tic about 2021’s prospects.” ing the Financial Reporting Council @ArmitageJim It includes almost 50 studio albums Naomi Ackerman @es_jobourke AutoTrader warns of lockdown losses up to £14m Government puts extra £213m into MOTORING Road rage: car Figures released by industry trade Naomi Ackerman industry sales body, The Society of Motor Manufac- Covid and climate have seen worst turers and Traders, showed that new ONLINE car trading marketplace Auto- plunge since 1943 car sales in the UK fell by nearly 30% to change research Trader today warned it is to make up as buyers stay at £1.63 million last year. It was the first to £7 million in operating losses next home during time the number of new cars sold fell SCIENCE month. Covid crisis to below two million since the height Simon Freeman The latest lockdown has shuttered car of the financial crash in 2009, and the showrooms and the FTSE 100 firm said worst car sales year since 1992. ULTRA hi-res telescopes capable of it will offer free listings through Febru- SMMT chief executive, Mike Hawes, tracking the spread of disease, drones ary — as it did during other national said that “whatever happens this year, to monitor greenhouse gas emissions lockdowns — at a cost of £5-7 million it can’t be as bad as last year”. and a floating wind turbine are among per month to the business. The trade body also warned that to projects to benefit from a £213 million AutoTrader said that momentum had keep up with the switch to electric vehi- cash injection into UK research infra- remained strong through the third downs to hurt sales volumes in January the anticipated losses in this quarter. cles, the UK needs to attract far more structure. quarter — with site visits up 20% on the and February. It came as the UK car industry international investment into battery- The UK Research and Innovation prior year between October and In a trading update, the firm said its reported that 2020 saw the sector’s factories in the next decade. (UKRI) body said that the grants will December. But it now expected lock- balance sheet remains strong, despite worst annual sales drop since 1943. @nomiackerman help scientists and entrepreneurs tack- ling challenges such as Covid-19 research and meeting net zero carbon Topps Tiles warns of fresh sales emissions goals while maintaining the Clipper sees Christmas boost country’s position as a leader in inno- vation. as online drives logistics boom hit from renewal of lockdown It includes an offshore wind turbine facility at the University of Plymouth LOGISTICS Confident: Clipper BUILDING SUPPLIES trading margins are likely to come for renewable energy research, a blast Joanna Bourke boss Steve Parkin Graeme Evans under pressure due to additional deliv- and impact diagnostics research lab in hailed “the ery costs linked to higher levels of Sheffield to combat the use of explo- THE lockdown boom in online shop- strength of both TOPPS Tiles today warned that Eng- online business. sives in terrorist attacks and upgrades ping fuelled bumper sales growth for our underlying land’s latest lockdown will damage sales Chief executive Rob Parker said: to facilities conducting dementia and Clipper Logistics over the Christmas markets and our despite its stores still being able to trade “While the latest lockdown restrictions cancer research. period, figures showed today. new business under the exemption for building sup- will impact sales, at this stage it is very Science Minister Amanda Solloway The deliveries and returns business, activity” plies. difficult to estimate the level of impact said: “The response from UK scientists which works with supermarkets and The company, which has 343 outlets, or how long this may last.” and researchers to coronavirus has fashion brands, said in November and Executive chairman Steve Parkin said: has been advised to close its aisles to Trading before Christmas benefited been nothing short of phenomenal. We December, revenues in its logistics “The strength of both our underlying prevent browsing although customers from the pandemic trend for need to match this excellence by ensur- business were 50% up on a year earlier. markets and our new business activity can still transact at the trade counter or home-owners to spend their savings on ing scientific facilities are truly world- Many retailers have been looking for provide us with an excellent level of online. Stores outside England are open bathroom or kitchen refits, with like- class, so scientists can continue more logistics space and transport to confidence in the year ahead.” as normal, with social distancing meas- for-like sales up 19.9% in the 13 weeks carrying out life-changing research for cope with a wave of new online shop- The shares gained 11.63p to 599.63p. ures in place. up to Boxing Day. years to come.” pers won during the coronavirus crisis. @es_jobourke As well as the sales impact, Topps said @EvansOnTheMoney @SimonjFreeman EVENING STANDARD WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 21 | Business

WITH 2020 set to be the worst for health, to 20%. The firm is aiming for sustained employment and prosperity in peace- growth, has a strong cash position, has SHARE PRICES time history, the Evening Standard’s more than doubled its global warehouse SECTORS share tipsters suffered a “difficult” set of capacity and reported revenues up 80% 2019/20 High Low 2019/20 High Low returns from last year’s predictions. to £157 million in the last half-year. It’s CONS & BUILD MATERIALS TRANSPORT Bellway ...... 2934* ...... -4 ...... 4336 ...1735½ Go-Ahead Grp...... 971½ ..-11½ ...... 2242 .....390¼ Total returns fell 16.9%, with winners worth raising a glass to its future. CRH ...... 3302 ..+167 ...... 3306 ...... 1500 UTILITIES OTHER Fresnillo (up 90.4%), Perseus Mining Tipped at 689p ELECTRONIC & ELEC EQUIP Drax Group ...... 391½ ... +5¼ ...... 393¾ ...... 119 (up 16.5%), and OneSavings Bank discoverIE Grp ...... 675* .....-13 ...... 700 .....330¼ AIM ENGINEERING & MACHINERY Appreciate Gp ...... 32¾ ..... +¾ ...... 66½ ...... 24 (1.17%) offset by collapses from Ted Graeme Evans Bodycote ...... 766 ...... +2 ...... 949 .....378½ Ashstead Group ...... 3610 ....+73 ...... 3614 ...... 1010 FOOD PRODUCERS Baker (down 66.77%), BT (down 29%) Silence Therapeutics Christie Grp...... 90 ...... 132 ...... 55 Cranswick ...... 3620* .....-20 ...... 4126 ...... 2688 Cohort...... 617½* ..-13½ ...... 738 ...... 420 HEALTH and Centrica (down 48%). AIM-LISTED Silence is getting noticed Eleco ...... 78½ ...... 94 ...... 44 ConvaTec Group ...... 204¾ ....-2¼ ...... 225¾ .....142½ Jet2 ...... 1296 .... +18 ...... 1950 .....182½ Like many stockpickers in the City, by investors on both sides of the Atlantic INSURANCE Sopheon ...... 775 .....-25 ...... 975 ...... 480 we can only hope for better in 2021. It thanks to its technology aimed at “silenc- Admiral Group ...... 3020 ...... -9 ...... 3054 ...1858½ Tristel ...... 551¼ ....-6¾ ...... 560 ...... 271 Beazley ...... 365½ ...... +¼ ...... 613½ .....287½ can’t get any worse, can it? ing” the expression of disease-causing Union Jack Oil ...... 0¼ ...... 0¼ ...... 0 Hiscox ...... 993½ ...... +3 ...... 1449 .....635½ genes. The west London firm’s prospects INVESTMENT COMPANIES United Oil & Gas ...... 3¼ ...... +¼ ...... 4 ...... 1 RECENT ISSUES Jim Armitage and cash position were transformed by Custodian REIT ...... 87¾ ...... -½ ...... 116½ ...... 76 UKCPR ...... 68¾ ....-1½ ...... 88¾ ...... 47¼ Abingdon Health ...... 93¼ ....-1¼ ...... 109 ...... 91 Lancashire Holdings collaborations with AstraZeneca and LEISURE & HOTELS Anemoi Intl ...... 3 ...... 4¾ ...... 1 THE bookie always wins, the old motto Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, both Marstons ...... 74¾ ..... +¾ ...... 129 ...... 18½ Bytes Technlgy Grp ...... 331 ...... +1 ...... 364½ .....314½ OIL & GAS Conduit Holdings ...... 500½ ....-4½ ...... 519½ ...... 486 goes. While I was going to tip a flutter on major shareholders. Silence listed its US Cairn Energy ...... 205 ...... -4 ...... 240 ...... 57¼ DowningRen&Inf ...... 100 ...... +½ ...... 102¼ ...... 97 Flutter due to its potential takeover tar- depositary shares on Nasdaq and now Hunting ...... 229½ ...... +7 ...... 426 ...... 120 EcofinUSRenInfUSD ...74¾ ...... 75¾ ...... 74 get status, I’ve picked another type of has a New York-based CEO in industry Premier Oil ...... 20½ .....+¾ ...... 120¾ ...... 10 Helium One Global ...... 8 ...... +¼ ...... 9 ...... 3¾ PHARMS & BIOTECH Home REIT ...... 106 ...... -1 ...... 110 ...... 99 bookie — a Lloyd’s of London insurer. veteran Mark Rothera. Investors will Hikma Pharms ...... 2616 ...... -3 ...... 2768 ...... 1596 Intuitive Inv ...... 22½ ...... 23¾ ...... 21¾ Lancashire Holdings has a fine record hope for a repeat of Orchard Therapeu- REAL ESTATE Kistos ...... 151½ ....-4½ ...... 170 ...... 100 Capital & Cnties ...... 138 ....-2¼ ...... 267¼ ...... 97 One Heritage ...... 12¼ ...... 13 ...... 11½ as a disciplined underwriter of commer- tics, which Rothera took from UK min- CLS ...... 216½ ....-5½ ...... 303 ...... 153 Pineapple Pwr ...... 5¾ ...... +¼ ...... 6¼ ...... 3¼ cial insurance risks and 2021 is the year now to a Nasdaq-listed gene therapy firm Derwent Lond ...... 3100 .....-16 ...... 4362 ...... 2334 Schroder Brit Opp .....101¼ ...... 103 ...... 97½ Grainger ...... 287¾* ....-1¼ ...... 341¾ .... 189¾ SourceBio Int ...... 213½ ... +3½ ...... 215 ...... 151 premiums are finally rising. January is worth $1.7 billion at its peak. Helical...... 386½ ....-6½ ...... 540 .....200½ Tirupati Graphite ...... 85½ ... +5½ ...... 85¾ ...... 45 Raven Property ...... 27½ ...... -¼ ...... 51¾ ...... 23½ renewal time at Lloyd’s and other, non- Tipped at 526p Vector Capital ...... 40 ...... 42 ...... 40 Raven Prop Pref ...... 109½ ...... -½ ...... 137 ...... 75 Our best share Verici Dx ...... 58 ...... 61 ...... 20 quoted, brokers say it’s going pretty well Savills ...... 989½ ...... -4 ...... 1268 ...... 620 Wheaton PrecMts ...3383½ .+75½ ....3980¼ ...... 2841 despite the economic turmoil. Shares Jonathan Prynn Tritax Big Box ...... 169½ ...... -¼ ...... 171½ ...... 79 Wildcat Petrol...... 0½ ...... +¼ ...... 0¾ ...... 0¼ U And I Group ...... 62 ...... -1 ...... 189 ...... 51 have had a big run-up since November Foxtons Urban&Civic...... 344 ...... 375 ...... 183 Yamana Gold ...... 452* ...... +6 ...... 484¼ ...... 370 but I’m hoping there’s more to come. tips for you in THERE are few things the property Workspace Grp ...... 753¾ ....-6¾ ...... 1317 ...... 421 Tipped at 726p market enjoys more than a lockdown, RESTS PUBS & BREWERIES † Dealings suspended a Ex-all Fuller S.T.A...... 693¾ ...+1¾ ...... 1005 ...... 486 * Ex-dividend c Ex-capitalisation it seems. Months of staring at their own SPECIALITY & OTHER FIN r Ex-rights Issue issue Joanna Bourke tatty four walls in spring gave many Mattioli Woods ...... 752 ...... -8 ...... 865 ...... 530 SUPPORT SERVICES IWG owners and renters the spur to finally Dignity ...... 618 ...... +7 ...... 759 .....210½ WORK from home won’t last for all of seek out pastures new. With the sector Experian ...... 2811 .....-39 ...... 3192 ...1823½ Ferguson ...... 8756 .....-18 ...... 9098 ...... 3700 2021. When the rules relax, plenty of allowed to carry on almost as normal Homeserve ...... 1082* .... +13 ...... 1371 .... 755¾ staff and firms will rush back to desks in this year’s “stay at home” spell the Ricardo ...... 346 ...... +4 ...... 846 ...... 287 in offices. But latent caution should play market should be equally lively. Pent-up Robert Walters ...... 468¾ ...+8¾ ...... 614 ...... 214 in IWG’s favour. The FTSE 250 serviced demand has yet to be fully released and offices giant should benefit as bosses the stamp duty holiday could well be seek temporary space and meeting We’ll drink to Simon Freeman extended. Shares in London’s top estate rooms. Monthly, weekly and even daily that: Naked IAG agency Foxtons rose from a low of lettings would appeal to firms not keen Wines looks a AFTER 2020’s share-price boom in all 31.55p in March to today’s opening on long leases. IWG raised £320 million good bet to things feel-good and sustainable, those price of 50.2p. But there is still plenty in May for acquisitions, with founder continue profiting prepared to dive back into battered value of value in a stock that traded at 95p as Mark Dixon buying shares worth £91.3 from the UK’s stocks that can turn a profit will be recently as February and almost £4 at million. He clearly has confidence in new-found thirst rewarded. The harder they fell, the the peak of the London property boom. IWG, so this could be worth a punt. for doorstep wine quicker they’ll pick back up — and none Tipped at 50.2p Tipped at 356p delivery fell harder than British Airways owner IAG. After a £2.5 billion equity raise late Ludovic, the office cat Simon English last year, it’s solvent, sensible and still a Pets At Home One Savings Bank third of its pre-Covid price. Recovery in I REALISE I was asked to join this con- MY punt for last year did so well I am aviation will mean a return to long-haul test so I would pick a silly share to make going to pick it again. One Savings Bank flights and hours in the non-EU immi- the humans look smart. Having seen looked good a year ago, and looks even gration queue — but a healthy take-off their selections there is little chance of better now. Britain’s obsession with in the share price will cushion the blow. that. The only share to buy in a pan- houses is unlikely to dampen any time Tipped at 158p demic that has exposed the sad weak- soon. Lower interest rates and cheap ness of the human race is Pets At Home. Government funding for loans mean Naomi Ackerman The stock has had a great run this year costs are falling, while assets are rising. Naked Wines as our lonely humans pampered us. But When the end of the world doesn’t hap- A GROWING proportion of the UK has it remains a clever firm and the shares pen, all bank shares should rally as they been ordering doorstep wine delivery have further to go. For a start it doesn’t recoup money set aside for “bad” loans for 10 months. Will we really go back to sell actual cats, or dogs, I assume for the that went good. If renewed confidence paying the same for a less enjoyable very sensible reason that we live too post-vaccine leads to the return of buy- bottle from a supermarket shelf? AIM- long. It prefers hamsters, rabbits, ensur- to-let, OSB is poised to take advantage. listed Naked Wines sells bottles from ing turnover of inventory. Guinea pigs It is already about 10% of all UK buy-to-let independent producers at below super- also work. Think of them like a mobile To advertise call deals — it knows what it is doing. City Spy will market prices, and has tapped a new phone, obsolescence is built into the 020 79 38 38 38 Tipped at 420p return tomorrow US audience where sales grew from 5% design. Tipped at 442p

Small-cap spotlight A STRATEGIC shift from travel FTSE surge continues on hopes of Biden ‘blue sweep’ money continues to pay off for AIM-traded Equals Group after the Graeme strengthen regulation of industry, Euro- rose more than 6% or 30.2p to 496.3p financial services business reported pean markets remain focused on hopes and Barclays lifted 8.9p to 152.12p. better-than-expected trading. The Evans that he will be better placed to push Lloyds Banking Group, a popular stock group said revenues in 2020 were through stimulus packages to help with retail investors, added 1.2p to £1 million ahead of market America get through the Covid crisis. 36.37p. forecasts at £29 million, reflecting The FTSE 100 index, which is at a ten- Other top-flight risers included events strong demand for its SME-focused MARKET ROUND-UP month high after a robust start to the and exhibitions business Informa after payments and banking services. THE fast start to 2021 for the FTSE 100 year, added another 1% or 92.07 points it stuck by guidance given in Septem- Equals has an e-money licence index continued today on hopes that a to 6,704.32. Energy giants BP and Royal ber, helped by the shift towards digital offering international payments, “blue sweep” of US Congress will boost Dutch Shell were again a big factor in services and virtual events. Shares expense management and current fiscal stimulus for the world’s biggest the rally after oil prices rose on the back added 13.2p to 550.2p, compared with accounts. It has a division called economy. of Saudi Arabia’s pledge to cut output more than 850p almost a year ago. Spectrum Payment Services that Should Joe Biden’s Democratic party by more than expected. Georgia on his mind: the President-elect Double-dip recession fears and the can settle transactions in real time win the two knife-edge Senate votes in BP shares started the year at 254p but greater exposure of the FTSE 250 index with the Bank of England. Shares Georgia — as many are projecting — the are now at 282.95p after a further rise trading above $54 compared with less to UK lockdown restrictions meant the jumped 15% or 4p to 31p, although President-elect will control Congress. of 4% or 10.45p today. Royal Dutch Shell than $20 in April. benchmark was little changed, up 36.55 broker Canaccord Genuity sees Even though Biden is pledging to added 36.2p to 1,374.4p, with the pair Financial stocks also returned to form points at 20,753.92. further upside to 41p. reverse Donald Trump’s tax cut and boosted by a barrel of Brent crude now after Asia-focused Standard Chartered @EvansOnTheMoney 22 WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 EVENING STANDARD

Sport | Coverage in association with ‘Small’ trophy can have a huge Mourinho knows only too well that League Cup glory has the potential to act as a springboard to major success Dan Kilpatrick at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Tottenham 2 Sissoko 12, Son 70 Brentford 0

JOSE MOURINHO’S Tottenham are within touching distance of ending a 13-year wait for silverware after reach- ing the Carabao Cup Final by beating Brentford last night. A Wembley final may be unfamiliar territory for Spurs, but Mourinho is now on the brink of becoming the most successful coach in League Cup history, underlining why the club opted for a surprising union with the 57-year-old. Mourinho has won the competition four times, level with Pep Guardiola — whose Manchester City face neighbours United in tonight’s other semi-final — Sir Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough. The Spurs manager last night dis- missed the suggestion that the League Cup is low on the list of top clubs’ pri- orities, but he shares Clough’s view that winning so-called smaller trophies can be a springboard to major success. Clough credited Nottingham Forest’s ously,” he said. Mourinho’s approach is was trying to teach his players to run included a comparable break between triumph in the now-defunct Anglo-Scot- CARABAO CUP FINAL a marked changed from his Tottenham before they could walk. the September win over Chelsea on tish Cup in 1977 as the key to turning predecessor, Mauricio Pochettino, who Mourinho’s appointment in Novem- penalties and the quarter-final against his players into winners and Forest also Tottenham once said winning a domestic cup ber 2019 signalled a change in approach Stoke on December 23. won two League Cups before going on v would “change nothing” about his tro- for Spurs, a move away from a “project” After being given a bye in the third to make history with consecutive Euro- Man United phy-shy squad and insisted the Premier manager to a pragmatist, who guaran- round, following a coronavirus out- pean Cups. or Man City League and Champions League were tees to treat any chance of silverware break at opponents Leyton Orient, Mourinho similarly hopes that win- Sunday, April 25 the only “real” trophies. with equal importance. With last night’s Spurs have played just three matches, ning the Carabao Cup Final on April 25 Wembley Under Pochettino, Spurs came within win, Mourinho has taken a huge step to two against Championship opposition, will give many of his players an appe- 4pm, live on Sky touching distance of glory, losing to achieving what he was appointed to do. but, just as against Stoke, Mourinho tising first taste of silverware, as Spurs Mourinho’s Chelsea in this competition Under Mourinho, winning this sea- underlined his commitment to the bid to win a first trophy since their in 2015 — their last Wembley final — and son’s League Cup, while seismic for the competition by taking no chances. success in this competition in 2008. Premier League crown, while at Man- reaching the 2019 Champions League club, would only be seen as a signpost He stuck with his trusted spine of The Portuguese took the same chester United he won the competition Final and two FA Cup semi-finals. They towards more significant successes. Hugo Lloris, Eric Dier, Pierre-Emile approach in both spells at Chelsea, in 2017 before going on to claim the also ran Leicester and Chelsea close in Such questions still feel premature, Hojbjerg, Heung-min Son and Harry winning the 2005 League Cup before Europa League. consecutive Premier League title races. however, with Spurs facing a three-and- Kane, and Spurs won in a manner typ- leading the club to back-to-back League “I came to England in 2004 and I Ultimately, Pochettino’s Spurs always a-half month wait until the final after ical of their manager, controlling the titles. He repeated the trick when he remember that in that period I had to fell short and the manager faced criti- the EFL delayed the showpiece. game at 1-0 before hitting Brentford returned to Stamford Bridge in 2014, learn the meaning of the cups here and cism for not taking the domestic cups The long wait feels in keeping with with a lethal counter-attack finished by winning that season’s League Cup and I always took [the League Cup] seri- more seriously, amid accusations he Spurs’s curious run to this stage, which Son. Moussa Sissoko offered a reminder Jose: Top clubs want this trophy Tottenham’s offer to NHS

Continued from Back Page den on Harry Kane and Heung-min Son, playing as a number six, but with the Dan Kilpatrick the national stadium is regarded as but Sissoko appeared an unlikely candi- ball I was higher, another eight with unsuitable. can still do a lot of things. We are still date before he planted a header into the Tanguy, so I could be in front and make TOTTENHAM have offered their From April, North Middlesex Univer- in the race for the League, we’ve got the top corner from Sergio Reguilon’s cross that run. It’s easier to score when I get stadium to the NHS as a potential hub sity Hospital used Tottenham’s stadium other [domestic] cup to play, the Europa to break the deadlock. It was hisis fifirstrst in the boxb than when I’m a No6.” for the roll-out of the coronavirus for drive-through testing of staff in the League as well, so there’s plenty of goal since December 2019. BrentfordB finished the night vaccine. basement car park and the relocation things to do with the team this season. Son made the game safe withw 10 men after Josh Dasilva The club’s 62,000-seater stadium was of its women’s outpatient services. Let’s believe in ourselves, let’s keep after the interval, taking was sent off for raking the taken over by the NHS as an ante-natal With elite football having returned fighting and let’s try to win every game Tanguy Ndombele’s pass in shin of Pierre-Emile Hojb- clinic during the first national lock- from June, parts of the stadium are back and see what we can do.” his stride to sprint clear of jerg, prompting unwarranted down and has also been used as a drive- in use by the club, but large areas Mourinho afterwards talked up the the Bees defence and finish fury on the Brentford bench. through testing centre. remain empty. significance of Spurs’s achievement, for his 16th goal this season. “It was for sure a bad tackle Now, Spurs have made the £1.2billion There are currently two authorised insisting the Premier League’s top clubs Sissoko said: “Of course I becausebec he is bleeding a lot and facility available again, as vaccines Covid vaccines, with a third being con- care about the Carabao Cup and “want would like to score more goalss andand the shinsh pad is broken,” said Mour- begin to be rolled out in London and sidered for approval. Some 1.3million to win it”. make more assists but it depends on inho (above). “That is football. Pierre has across the country. people in the UK have now received The manager had called on the rest of the system we are going to play. a big cut but he didn’t even want me to The FA are also thought to have their first dose of a Covid vaccine, his squad to relieve the goalscoring bur- “This time, without the ball I was [take him off] in the last five minutes.” offered Wembley as a vaccine hub, but according to the Government. EVENING STANDARD WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 23

Coverage in association with | Sport impact at Spurs It’s all action for now — but cricket is operating in

Bloodied but two very different worlds unbowed: Hojbjerg holds Will Macpherson cricket appears to be operating in his broken idyllic normality, and another where shinpad after a THERE is barely such thing as a every step seems complicated. tackle which left surfeit of Test cricket, but right now But the truth is that the whole game him with a nasty there is certainly plenty of it being is on a cliff-edge. It is just that in some injury (left) played to distract us from the world’s places the house is a little closer to very evident issues. Watching on, it the edge and the wind is blowing that can feel like the game is taking place bit more aggressively. in two entirely different worlds. In Australasia, things are not as Turn on your television in the straightforward as they seem. To get evening in the UK and you can see that action on, the players have been grass banks full of roaming fans at forced through weeks of taxing quar- beautiful grounds in New Zealand, as antine. And in Australia, particularly, Kane Williamson’s awesome and things are not just tense on the field. understated team — now officially There is great uncertainty over where the best in the world — go about their each game will be played as little merry business, defying the game’s clusters of Covid cases pop up, and financial inequalities to uncover new restrictions over players’ behaviour players (Kyle Jamieson is the latest is causing issues, too. Everyone star) and beat all-comers. involved is tired of the experience. Across the Tasman Sea, things are Given the current situation in this slightly more fraught and uncertain, country, England operate indefinitely but there is a wonderful series going in the other, crowdless world. on between Australia and India and Therefore, the news from Hamban- the sheer scale of the stadia means tota this morning that no further that while the attendance is a fraction England players have tested positive of capacity, there are still many thou- — in two rounds of testing since land- sands in the house. ing on Sunday, Moeen is the only Elsewhere, things do not look quite positive — is a most welcome boost; so simple. South Africa just beat Sri firstly for the health of those involved, Lanka inside a bubble that Proteas but secondly for a series Shooting star: captain Quinton de Kock described that will be a Son seals a 2-0 Hojbjerg: No hard feelings, as “very unsettling”. England had their much-appreciated win and Spurs biosecure summer, have seen distraction and now have a but you owe me a shinpad! a tour of South Africa seemed in consider- chance to end aborted and then able doubt only their 13-year Jack Rosser Moeen Ali tested yesterday. wait for a trophy positive on Every England PIERRE-EMILE HOJBJERG says he arrival in Sri player bar Moeen has no hard feelings towards Josh Lanka, casting and Chris Dasilva over the horror tackle that significant Woakes, who left him with a badly-gashed shin. doubt over the travelled with Dasilva (below) was shown a two-Test series him from Birmingham to Heath- MORE WAYS TO BET straight red card last night following that begins a row, was allowed out of their hotel a VAR check when he went week tomor- room to train. MORE WAYS TO WIN over the top of the ball and row. It seems, at this stage, like the tight SET YOUR OWN ODDS, SPORTS raked his studs down But...B You owe me a new So, there is protocols in place for this series — no TRADE AND EVEN LAY A BET Hojbjerg’s left leg. shin pad. the world one but the touring party has been WITH THE BETFAIR EXCHANGE The midfielder wanted “You have a great future where allowed to travel, so all British broad- to play on despite his ahead. Be strong & keep casts will take place from back home Basic package customers pay 2% commission, other charges may apply. Based on Betfair Exchange vs traditional bookmakers. T&Cs apply. battle scars, but Spurs workingw hard. Best of luck — have been well followed. boss Jose Mourinho took toto you and your team. Big But, in keeping with the times, we him off for the final five hug,hug Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.” are not out of the woods yet. England of his capabilities with the shackles off, minutes and he is expectedd to BrentfordB manager Thomas have another round of testing tomor- heading Spurs into a 12th-minute lead. be fit for Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Frank also defended Dasilva over row and more will follow every five Brentford, who finished with 10 men Marine. the challenge. days thereafter. Sri Lanka still need after Josh Dasilva’s late red card, Dasilva tweeted after the game: “The way you have to look at it, if to get home safely from South Africa. thought they had equalised when Ivan “Anyone that knows me knows it you look at Dasilva, he’s never had a Short run up: paceman As we were reminded when Eng- Toney headed over the line, only for the was never intentional.” red card before,” Frank said. “I’ve Stuart Broad trains today, land’s first ODI in South Africa was forward to be ruled offside by the VAR. Hojbjerg replied, saying: “Of never seen him go physical into a still wearing a sweatband called off an hour before the toss, until Mourinho can now afford to rest his course you didn’t mean it. So don’t tackle, he didn’t do it on purpose but with a buzz cut to the players actually take the field, we stars in Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Marine worry. I’m a Viking and I am fine. and I think he caught him.” help cope with the heat cannot be certain we will see a ball as his attentions turn to bigger prizes. in Sri Lanka bowled. Spotlight on Solskjaer City return three Warning for top-flight more positive tests MAN UNITED v MAN CITY involved. For Mourinho, the chance of Jack Rosser West Ham, Crystal Palace and Ful- (7.45pm, Sky) redemption and evidence that his MANCHESTER CITY have confirmed ham, had players breach Covid James Robson powers remain intact; for Ole Gunnar three more staff at the club have THE Premier League have written to restrictions over the festive period, Solskjaer, a potential springboard to a tested positive for coronavirus. clubs in a bid to tighten coronavirus while outbreaks at Fulham and Man- FOR all the history of Jose Mourinho’s new trophy-winning era at United and City’s match at Everton last month protocols, after positive cases more chester City have forced the post- rivalry with Pep Guardiola, it is a a much-needed pointer to his own was postponed due to an outbreak at than doubled to a record 40 in the ponement of three matches in under potential reunion with Manchester abilities. the club, although they did play latest round of testing. a week. United in the Carabao Cup Final that The Norwegian needs to prove he can Chelsea on Sunday, where Pep Elite sport has been allowed to con- Despite the rise in positive cases, presents the most fascinating prospect. get over the line or, at the very least, to Guardiola was missing several tinue, despite the national lockdown, the Premier League maintain that April’s delayed showpiece would be a final after limping out of the previous players, including Ederson and Kyle but concerns are growing at the Pre- they have confidence in their safety the chance of a first trophy for both three semis in the space of a year. Walker. mier League that support from West- protocols, but they have warned clubs Mourinho at Tottenham and his former While Mourinho would relish the City closed their training ground in minster could be lost should players that the rules must be adhered to. club since their acrimonious parting opportunity to make a statement a bid to control the outbreak, but this and staff flout coronavirus rules. The League have also been warned two years ago. against Guardiola, after the Catalan morning they confirmed veteran League chiefs met Culture Secretary to crack down on handshakes and The smallest of English football’s ruled the Manchester roost, nothing goalkeeper Scott Carson, midfielder Oliver Dowden this week before relay- hugs during matches and cut down ‘major’ prizes would be one of unusually would be more delicious for him than Cole Palmer and one member of staff ing the warning to clubs. on post-match interaction with oppo- high stakes for the two managers coming back to haunt United. have tested positive. Several clubs, including Tottenham, sition players and staff. 24 WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 EVENING STANDARD

YOU OWE ME A NEW SHINPAD! HOJBJERG MAKES UP WITH DASILVA AFTER HORROR TACKLE Page 23

England out of isolation JOSE HAS after latest Covid testing GIVEN US A Will Macpherson ENGLAND’S cricketers were today released from isolation in Sri Lanka and allowed to train WINNING ahead of next week’s First Test, after recording no further positives in the latest round of Covid-19 testing. With the exception of Moeen Ali, MENTALITY who tested positive on arrival at Hambantota on Sunday and again in yesterday’s tests, and close contact Chris Woakes, the touring SISSOKO SALUTE AS SPURS REACH FINAL party have now been released from their rooms. They must pass another round of testing Dan Kilpatrick into winners. “Yeah, we can say that,” tomorrow, but today’s news is a at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Sissoko told Standard Sport. “Because boost after fears the series could we know what type of manager Jose be derailed. MOUSSA SISSOKO says Jose is and what he did in the past. With a total of 23 players on tour, Mourinho is changing the mentality “The chairman brought him here England split into two groups to at Tottenham and insists winning the to win trophies and he’s tried to limit contact at training. One party Carabao Cup could be just the start bring that mentality to the team. I went to the stadium in for the club this season. will not say we didn’t have it before Hambantota at lunchtime and the Man-of-the-match Sissoko opened with the old manager, but the team other later in the afternoon. the scoring (right) as Spurs set up an is working a lot on it and he England are set to play a two-day EFL Cup Final against Manchester pushes hard every day on it. intra-squad match from Friday, City or Manchester United with a 2-0 “It’s good that we reach the final then travel to Galle, where both home win over Brentford last night. — now we have to win it. It’s Tests — starting on January 14 and The Wembley showpiece on April time to win a trophy. It’s been 22 — are due to take place. 25 will be Spurs’s first domestic final the time for many years but we Woakes, who travelled from since 2015 and leaves them within always missed that kind of Birmingham to Heathrow with touching distance of ending a 13-year opportunity and now we want Moeen, tested negative yesterday wait for silverware in Mourinho’s first to take it. but must continue to isolate until full season in charge. “We have qualified for the weekend. Spurs suffered a succession of near one final, I hope we are Moeen is now said to be misses under former manager Mau- going to win it, there’s suffering mild symptoms for the ricio Pochettino, including losing the still plenty of games first time, in the form of tiredness. 2019 Champions League Final, but before that final and we He was moved to Galle yesterday Sissoko says the trophy-laden Portu- but has returned to Hambantota guese is gradually turning the squad Continued on Page 22 because the hotel was undergoing building work.

Cricket’s testing times Page 23

QUICK CROSSWORD 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 SUDOKU 06/01/2021 YESTERDAY’S CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS CRYPTIC Across: 1, S-L-ack 6, S-pad-E 9, Aintr-ee 10, Start 11, Canny 12, ACROSS 24 Lubricate (3) 7 Surpass (5) St.-out 13, Heroine 15, Had 17, Iron 18, Marina 19, SW-ear 20, Chummy 1 Liking (6) 26 Leaf (5) 10 Saying (5) 8 9 2 8 3 22, May-O 24, Hoe 25, Solo-Mon 26, CL-own 27, S-N-ail 28, Rocky 29, 5 Forgive (6) 29 Wand (3) 11 Ethical (5) Need-Les 30, Abn-E-r 31, Pearl. Down: 2, Litter 3, Car-bon 4, Kit 5, State 8 Quarrel (8) 33 Shout (4) 12 Crawl (5) 7 8 4 3 6, Secula-R 7, Peat 8, Dun-can 12, S-now-y 13, Hit-Ch. 14, Rog-U-e 15, 9 Roster (4) 34 Submarine (8) 13 Deflect (5) H-I-ram 16, Damon (rev) 18, Mac-on 19, S-mall-er 21, Hob-nob 22, 10 Silent (3) 35 Fixed (6) 14 Inn (5) 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1 5 7 2 Mo-r-ose 23, (New) Yorker 25, Swede 26, Cine 28, Rep. 12 Fight (5) 36 Turn (6) 15 Postpone (5) EASY Across: 1, Put up 6, Arise 9, Sublime 10, Often 11, Album 12, Petty 15 Cur (3) 17 18 5 6 1 13, Trotter 15, Pry 17, Alto 18, Curate 19, Prior 20, Overly 22, Less 24, Nor 17 Scull (3) 16 Avarice (5) 25 Unsuitable (5) 25, Cabaret 26, Natal 27, Tales 28, Eyrie 29, Western 30, Seats 31, Extra. 18 Poem (3) DOWN 19 20 21 Down: 2, Unfurl 3, Used to 4, Pun 5, Alter 6, Amateur 7, Rely 8, Squirt 12, 27 Ooze (5) 3 7 5 9 19 Hill (3) 2 Farewell (5) Perry 13, Talon 14, Other 15, Paper 16, Yeast 18, Coral 19, Pleases 21, 20 Happening (5) 3 Absent (4) 28 Viper (5) 22 23 2 6 3 Voyage 22, Larynx 23, Senior 25, Catty 26, Newt 28, Ere. 21 Charge (3) 4 Enlist (5) 30 Open (5) BACK PAGE Across: 1, Taxi 4, Fad 6, Tour 8, Stifle 9, Facade 10, Lay 12, 22 Hatchet (3) 5 Squeeze (5) 31 Association (4) 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Bread 14, Stern 15, Mined 18, Serene 20, Orator 24, Total 26, Creel 28, 23 Sheep (3) 6 Unusual (4) 32 Courage (4) 9 7 3 4 Wedge 30, Ebb 32, Cinema 33, Rotten 34, Fret 35, Had 36, Done. Down: 31 32 DOUBLE CROSSWORD - PLUS WIN A SPA DAY VOUCHER 2, After 3, Inflame 4, Feel 5, Defy 6, Tacit 7, Undergo 11, Awe 12, Bus 13, 3 4 9 6 1 Din 16, Net 17, Dot 19, Earlier 21, Raw 22, Alerted 23, Roe 25, Orb 27, FROM BUYAGIFT WITH CODEWORD: PAGE 18 33 34 Eject 29, Green 30, Each 31, Bred. YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS: SEE RIGHT 4 1 Evening Standard incorporating the Evening News, published by Evening Standard Ltd., Northcliffe House, London, W8 5TT (020 3367 7000). Printed by Newsprinters Fill the grid with the numbers 1 to 9 so that (Broxbourne) Ltd., Great Cambridge Road, Waltham Cross, Herts. EN8 8DY Play our interactive puzzles online: 35 36 © Evening Standard Ltd. 2021. 56,195 Newspapers Support Recycling. each row, column and 3 x 3 block contains The recycled paper content of UK newspapers in 2019 was 63.2%. Copies of the paper standard.co.uk/games the numbers 1 to 9. returned to Evening Standard are recycled by RRS London Waste Papers Ltd..