Londoner’s Diary: Row over failed bid to rescue LGBT Afghans

Daniel Lismore
Daniel Lismore
Dave Benett

CAMPAIGNERS have accused MPs and the Government of failing LGBT Afghans after a scheme to evacuate them in August brought just “six or seven” to the UK. Campaigner Daniel Lismore, who was involved in the project, claimed the LGBT all-party parliamentary group (APPG) were “more interested in their own reputations than saving people’s lives” after the plan to extricate Afghans fell through because of worries about a form used.

As the Taliban took over Kabul, UK campaigners tried to help LGBT Afghans. Crispin Blunt, chair of the LGBT APPG, enlisted the help of Lismore. It was hoped LGBT Afghans could be identified, then receive a form that would validate their status, after which they would be airlifted to the UK. But Lismore says the plan foundered over issues on the form. The Afghans, Lismore tells us, were frightened about identifying themselves. And in the UK, Lismore alleges Amnesty raised data protection issues over the form. Ultimately it was dropped and the scheme largely failed.

Campaigner Mandy Sanghera, who was also involved in the effort, tells us “I just think some people lost their bottle”.

But Blunt counters: “When it became clear that individuals whose details we were being given could not be validated as LGBT… and that the establishment of a secure entry point with UK authorities had come to nothing” he and his colleague dealt with US NGOs. “It was nothing to do with GDPR or reputation and all to do with delivering actual evacuation.”

The Londoner understands the Government is facing criticism for being slow and unresponsive. A quiet disaster.

Jenkins cornered at Abbey launch

A FIRST at Westminster Abbey last night — a book launch in the hallowed Poets’ Corner. “Holding the party here I regard as a greater achievement than writing the book,” Sir Simon Jenkins told the audience at the launch of Europe’s 100 Best Cathedrals. Less enamoured was Westminster Abbey’s Dean David Hoyle, who spoke before him and quoted (through gritted teeth) Jenkins’ description of the Abbey in his book as an “old bag lady fallen on hard times”. If those walls could talk...

Wright names his two mancrushes

Ian Wright and Musa Okwonga
Ian Wright and Musa Okwonga
Ian Wright and Musa Okwonga

Ian Wright revealed his two mancrushes last night. The former Arsenal and England striker was quizzed on who he would like to play him by writer Musa Okwonga at an event for his new novel In the End, It Was All About Love. Wright explained: “There’s two men I adore, right. One is Cillian Murphy and the other is Tom Hardy” before asking “is it Chatham House here? ... a secret for ever.” No and no.

Lette’s Santa letter after lockdown toil

Lucy Young

KATHY LETTE is petitioning Father Christmas already, though it’s still October. “Due to lockdown, I’ve slaved away as a short-order cook, counsellor, chauffeur, maid and general dogsbody for my family, while also working full-time,” she writes in a missive to him. The London-based comic adds: “I’ve baked wheat fields of cakes for various charity stalls while also rustling up dinner for poorly neighbours, when all I’ve had in the fridge is half a clove of garlic, a wilting lemon and a tube of eczema cream.” Lette requests a toy boy to make up for it all. Don’t ask, don’t get.

Rodgers shops his ‘worst’ Bowie track

Nile Rodgers attends the opening of ‘Bowie 75’
Nile Rodgers attends the opening of ‘Bowie 75’
Dave Benett

JONATHAN ROSS posed in a phone box to celebrate Bowie 75, a new David Bowie shop in Heddon Street. Also there were Bob Geldof, Daphne Guinness and others. Nile Rodgers recalled working with Bowie but admitted it wasn’t all top quality. On seeing a screen showing the music video of Dancing in the Street, he told us: “Oh no! The worst thing I ever did”. Not so starry-eyed.

SW1A

GRANT SHAPPS has headlines flashing through his mind. During a morning television broadcast round he was asked whether he could guarantee Christmas. Shapps writes on ConHome that he said he could not do so as he was not Santa. As he spoke he imagined a headline that could result: “Grinch Shapps”. Catchy.

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CAROLINE NOKES may be on the backbenches but the Tory MP is still in the running — literally. Nokes posted a photo this morning of “7am running buddies” in Kensington Gardens including fellow MP James Duddridge and Conservative Lord Ed Vaizey. “Slightly out of breath,” she captioned it. From all the plotting?

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