View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Comment
March 13, 2008

Platell vs Portillo — no punches pulled

By Axegrinder axeblog

Old feuds between journalists and politicians-turned-journalists rarely die. And if you need proof of this, just take the case of former Tory MP, Michael (Polly) Portillo and Amanda Platell, one time trusted spin-doctor for William Hague, the former Tory leader.

Portillo has turned his talents to column writing and film making, while Platell, among other things, pens a lively column in the Daily Mail every Saturday, called Platell’s People.

So here’s Platell on Portillo, on his latest programme on the rise and fall of Margaret Thatcher: “The increasingly effete Portillo failed to interview Tories who do not support his drippingly-wet world view.”

Amanda goes on to say that her real views on Polly are not fit to print in a family newspaper.

However, going back to the ouster of William Hague, Polly had this to say about his inner-circle: “William Hague’s advisers were paranoid pygmies. They were people of no consequence.”

Ouch – now we know exactly where Amanda is coming from.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network