The final account

Politics decide Wembley case

Here’s a bit of a theory on future legal issues surrounding Wembley. The client, in the form of former Atkins big cheese Mike Jeffries, indicated last month that they were looking to settle any claims with contractor Multiplex over the late-running scheme. “You what?” was our initial response. Surely the numbers that are under dispute would lead inevitably to the courts? Well, maybe not. There might be a political angle here. Remember the British Library? It was an equally disastrous project back in the 1990s that similarly avoided being pored over at the Technology and Construction Court. My legal source tells me this was down to a direct intervention from the then culture secretary Virginia Bottomley. Apparently she wanted to avoid the embarrassment of the scheme’s failings being open to public scrutiny. Could the same be the case for Wembley?

Galloway shuts it just in time

Respect MP, Scots firebrand, ex-Big Brother occupant etc George Galloway was on typically low-key form while speaking at the Placemakers networking lunch a couple of weeks ago. Sporting a beard after a three week trip to Cuba (do communist regimes ban razors as well as the free market?) he claimed Gordon Brown would be Prime Mister by May of next year, described new Labour politicians as “poodles with pagers” and described Brown and Tony Blair as “two cheeks of the same arse” in respect of their political leanings. He said: “You couldn’t slip sixpence between them. I could go on with this metaphor, but given the audience, I won’t.” We were relieved at the rare restraint from the left-winger.

Thanks to CNP

A big thank you to CNP for taking one of the QS News team to its annual bash at Sandown racecourse last week. CNP provided a good company, a sumptuous lunch and even some money to bet with. Best of all, the firm promised inside information on likely winners from a star guest tipster. Sadly our correspondent tasked with the tough job of “covering” this event failed to go home with any cash. Now, we know CNP has a particular fondness for a certain gentleman’s sport, but perhaps next year the racing tips could be provided by someone other than Stuart Barnes, the rugby commentator.

Wheelers – friends of Jools

The staff at medium-sized outfit Wheelers certainly move in impressive circles. The firm’s headquarters in Victoria, central London, sits rather snugly in an upmarket residential cul-de-sac. Neighbours include actor Robbie Coltrane and musician and TV star Jools Holland, who we’re told has an impressive collection of classic cars.

One particular Wheelers staffer, a classic car nut, apparently chews the fat with Holland on all things motor-related when he’s in the neighbourhood.

Toilet talk

Portakabin subsidiary Yorkon is hoping to grab a share of Olympic pie by selling a product it believes will be crucial to the smooth running of the event... toilets.

The offsite manufacturer is proposing to build Olympic conveniences that could be dismantled after 2012 and sold to the public sector.

Yorkon is ready to build facilities ranging from washrooms to police security centres, which could later be sold to organisations such as schools. What a good idea.

Bovis unrest after Millett exit

We hear there is some discontent emanating from contracting giant Bovis Lend Lease in the wake of the abrupt departure of UK boss Jason Millett. The man touted by many as the golden boy within the firm apparently fell out with Australian bosses at the firm, leading one Bovis old timer to sum up the current atmosphere: “It’s Bovis Jim, but not as we know it.”