David Yelland, former editor of The Sun newspaper, recently drew public attention for an error in identifying Conservative MP James Cleverly. Yelland mistook Cleverly for Kwasi Kwarteng, describing him as former Prime Minister Liz Truss's Chancellor, which prompted a response from Cleverly on social media.
Cleverly, who is running for London mayor, corrected Yelland by stating on social media, "David, I’m the other black one." Yelland, 63, remarked that "making an admittedly idiotic error then saying sorry does not make you a buffoon," but the incident has led to recollections of past missteps.
Dominic Mohan, Yelland's former showbiz correspondent at The Sun, recounted an anecdote in his new book, "1996: My BackStage Pass To The Wildest Year Of Britain’s Wildest Decade." Mohan described an instance at a West End club where Yelland, who was not initially invited, "stumbled in" and sought an introduction to Noel Gallagher of the band Oasis. Yelland claimed to be a fan and to have seen Oasis perform at Madison Square Garden. When questioned by Gallagher about the opening song of the concert, Yelland was unable to recall it. He then attempted to bond with Gallagher by mentioning his own support for Manchester City, Gallagher's favored football club. According to Mohan, Gallagher then "slapped about the head" Yelland.
In other political news, Michael Jopling, a former Cabinet minister under Margaret Thatcher and government chief whip in 1979, has retired from the House of Lords at the age of 95. Jopling, whose father was an auctioneer, once commented on his colleague Michael Heseltine, saying, "The trouble with Michael is that he has had to buy all his own furniture." Jopling will now observe political events from his estate in North Yorkshire.