Londoners Diary: Julian Assange stays put (to plan a fashion bash)

The Londoner hears that Assange, the WikiLeaks co-founder who fled to the Knightsbridge outpost after allegations of rape and sexual assault, has plans to be housebound until February, when he will host an exclusive VIP bash from the comfort of his current abode. The event was originally slated to occur last month, a fashion show in collaboration with Vivienne Westwoods designer son Ben. Assanges ill health led to a delay in proceedings but now the party will go ahead as planned, with some minor changes.

Ecuadorian Ambassador Juan Falcon Puig is said to be working on two separate parties, with one London Fashion Week celebration taking place at a larger local venue while Assange holds court in the embassy with a glittering guest list of a limited size the residence is a little small for a ball but one of his lawyers, Amal Clooney, and supporter Pamela Anderson will surely be on the A-list. He is then expected, we hear, to appear at the separate party via video link, somewhat like the Wizard of Oz speaking from behind a curtain.

The confirmation that he has no immediate intention to leave soon means a third Christmas spent in captivity for Assange, who moved in on June 12, 2012. We do hope the staff know how to roast a turkey with all the trimmings.

Dont talk to the far Right about being swamped ...

Whod have thought that just one word could crush a movement? Former Tory politician Matthew Parris recalls in todays Times that, while working for the Iron Lady, we had been averaging 500-700 letters a week when, discussing immigration in a TV interview, Mrs Thatcher used the word swamped,, writes Parris.

In the following week she received about 5,000 letters We were swamped indeed: swamped by racist bilge. Its the things people confide in you when they think youre one of them that can be so revealing.

According to Spectator editor Fraser Nelson, however, Mrs Ts choice of words actually led to the demise of the far Right in the 1979 election. The experts sat dumbfounded as the results came in, Nelson writes. She killed the National Front that night, as voters who were concerned about immigration believed they had, in her, someone who understood them. All that on no sleep? Brava.

Buff boys know how to float ones boat

Sir Ian McKellen clearly enjoyed being held aloft in the impossibly buff arms of the Warwick Rowers at the May Fair Hotel last night, where the sporting boys celebrated the launch of their sixth naked calendar.

The veteran actor first came across the project when he was given the calendar on a chat show, alongside fellow guest Kylie Minogue.

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Londoners Diary: Julian Assange stays put (to plan a fashion bash)