In The News For The Wrong Reasons

Britains Lord Chancellor Derry Irvine is a man of expensive tastes, who isnt afraid to spend the governments money. To ensure a good nights rest, Irvine who in an earlier incarnation was a millionaire lawyer- has ordered two hand-carved oak four-poster beds. Total cost: £16,000.

By sharp contrast, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, has been nicknamed the hair-shirt chancellor for his austere ways. This week, Brown carried penny-pinching to new heights by throwing out a tattered old carpet in 11, Downing Street and refusing to replace it. Instead, he ordered that the wooden floor should be polished. Brown the penny-pincher, said one British newspaper.

 

How much should new ministers spend on their official residences? One thing is certain: Derry Irvine (who is Speaker of Britains Upper House and the equivalent of an Indian law minister) has overshot the limits. Re-decorating his apartments will cost the British taxpayer a startling £650,000. The wallpaper, based on 19th century designs, alone cost £60,000. Curtains, carpets and upholstery, which are also in ornate 19th century style, will cost another £145,000. A hand-carved oak dining table will cost £25,000. Fancy light fittings will cost another £56,000.

Lord Irvine, who was Prime Minister Tony Blairs first boss and mentor, cant be faulted on grounds of taste. The giant four-poster bed and the ornate hand-printed wallpaper are based on designs by Augustus Pugin, 19th century designer and architect. Pugin, who loved neo-gothic fantasies, put up the Houses of Parliament after the earlier buildings burnt down in 1834. Irvines bed is based on photographs of Pugin designs in the Victoria & Albert Museum.

But politics isnt about good taste as Irvine is discovering to his cost. Britains newspapers have sunk their teeth into him and they arent about to let go. Irvines £16,000 beds spark a wake-up call, said The Times, London, in an article attacking the Lord Chancellors ornate sleeping arrangements.

But this row isnt only about costly sticks of furniture. It has been fuelled by Irvines powerful enemies in the Labour Party who are eager to rubbish his reputation. Theyve found willing allies in the press which is angry over Irvines support for muzzling it.

Irvine endorsed controversial proposals that would curb newspapers poking their noses into politicians private lives. The plan would have prevented, among other things, the reporting on the love life of Britains foreign secretary, Robin Cook, who recently ditched his wife in favour of his assistant. The government has disowned the plan but the press has not forgotten it. Get your tanks off our lawn, was the Daily Mirrors belligerent response to Irvines threat.

But theres no fire without a matchbox. It appears clear that the barrage of anti-Irvine stories are coming from his cabinet colleagues. Home Secretary, Jack Straw, and Culture Minister, Chris Smith, have clashed over Irvines attempts to curb the press. Straw is also battling Irvines efforts to muscle into Home Office territory. And some observers suggest that Chancellor Brown, who is under fire on other fronts, got rid of his carpets and then encouraged the press to draw favourable comparisons with Irvines high-spending ways.

What does this tell about the eight-month-old Labour government? It is barely past the start line and is already ripped apart by personal rivalries. Foreign secretary, Robin Cook, and Chancellor Brown were arch-enemies till recently. Straw cant stand Irvine. Most importantly, Brown feels that Blair unfairly beat him to the top job. And in the background is Peter Mandelson, architect of Labours win, who is plotting ways to get into the Cabinet.

This government has a staggering majority and so far its ratings havent been affected by its semi-public punch-ups. But there are fears for the future. Unless Tony Blair can bring his barons to heel, they will continue to make the headlines for all the wrong reasons.