Overnight it emerges that Mandelson has apologised - apparently Jeffrey Epstein's victims deserve an apology. Although how this is owed I cannot begin to imagine. Further, no evidence has so far been produced to disqualify Mandelson from being British ambassador in Washington. A society that fakes matters such that Mandelson is compelled to seek a quieter life by apologising is degrading and mad.
Many would aver that this is not the time to invest in Iran. I would merely remind these chaps and chapesses that the Rothschilds always took the view that the best time to invest is when there is gunfire in the streets - and that is the position in Iran right now. I asked my chum (who was chairman of the fund whose name I now disclose) where ETS readers should enquire: he said info@turquoisepartners.com . Good luck - investors here might do quite well.
As submitted to The Times: Dear Sir, My father, George Cawkwell, who was admissions tutor for University College Oxford and, later, Vice-Master at the time of his retirement in 1988, sent me to Trinity Hall Cambridge in 1964 to be interviewed to be an undergraduate. I rather blew it by asking the admissions tutor how far Newmarket racecourse was from Cambridge. A couple of days later Trinity Hall wrote to my father and advised that "your son is not suited to further educati
The grades reported this morning together with the length of the drill samples are surely immensely encouraging. This means OMI is going up today. As to where it stops before further good news I decline to guess. Written by Simon Cawkwell, January 2026
My initial reaction to the notion that Colombia would face a Trump invasion to the disadvantage of Orosur (OMI) shareholders is mistaken. For, given that OMI's Anza prospect is nothing whatsoever to do with drugs business I think it will be a beneficiary if Trump intervenes. Written by Simon Cawkwell, January 2026
The Diary of a Nobody was published in the late nineteenth century. Lord Rosebery, no less, took the view that no bedroom is complete without a copy. Amazon offer a paperback edition for £3.99.
In 1944 or possibly earlyish 1945 my father, George Cawkwell, was leading his platoon through the Far Eastern jungle during the bitter war against Japan. So, for the night, he came across a ridge in the jungle and instructed his men to dig in. Once settled they rendered: There was a fellow called Skinner Who invited a young lady to dinner. At Half past Nine they sat down to dine And, by Ten, it was in her - the dinner not Skinner. In the morning they went on their way only, a
The above is the title of a book fairly recently published by Katie Prescott. Lynch formed Autonomy and eventually sold it to Hewlett-Packard for too much in HP's eyes - so the litigation continues. What is astonishing is that the finance director got a five years custodial sentence while Lynch was acquitted at a later trial. Weird.
First Quantum Minerals (FQM) is Toronto listed and long ago agreed with the government of Panama that FQM would develop a huge copper mine. It turned out to be a great success and then the Panamanian politicians decided to stop FQM from continuing even though this was entirely contrary to their contract. However, Panama needs the money and therefore will have to readmit FQM. This might occur in 2026 and see FQM advance from its current CAD $36.5 to possibly CAD $50. It may be
ETS is not a wine promotion slot. But a chum who is not quite a master of wine (he ran out of time rather than interest) tells me that Aldi offers a champagne styled Montjoie at £15.40 a bottle and that this wine is terrific. Hurry now since this bargain cannot last. Written by Simon Cawkwell, December 2025
Where a shareholding is required to be filed with the regulators it is necessary to fill in a "TR-1: Standard form for notification of major holdings". I find this form almost impossible to understand and frequently give up trying to understand it. However, given that a partner in Slaughter and May advised me that he, possessed of a first class degree in law from Oxford University into the bargain, felt exactly the same as I did one does wonder whether the regulators have the
In case you don't know a DID is short for Desert Island Discs. nd Sunday morning there are two sessions running from 10.00 a.m. to 11.45. It's a terrific state of affairs for which I do not pay a penny. But, being realistic, the BBC cannot go on like this. Though what the cure is I do not know: does anybody?
Much to my surprise, yesterday's post included a cheque for £2,500 from HX which was an integral part of a letter dated 15th December 2025 declaring that my account was closed – there was no reason given for the closure. Given that HX had told me at least four weeks ago that a cheque for £2,500 had been sent on 10th November 2025 it is very probable that somebody within HX has been lying. Equally astonishingly, my letter to the chairman, Sir Robin Budinberg CBE, a couple of w
It was put to me yesterday afternoon that allegedly responsible Republicans reckon that Trump is demonstrating the early stages of the onset of dementia. This is hardly inescapably true but should it prove to be the case that Trump is on his way out. He will presumably exit before the end of his term and JD Vance will step forward. Written by Simon Cawkwell, December 2025
About ten years ago I took it upon myself to claim in public that Victoria (VCP) was very materially overvalued. The result was that my then employer had to settle the threat of a defamation action. I was disappointed but sympathetic towards the employer's position. However, this morning's announcement that new shares are being issued at 5p or about one hundredth of where VCP stood ten years ago is some sort of vindication. The bossman, a Mr Wilding, had and probably still ha
Sir, While I suspect that the vast majority of Britons neither know nor care whether someone is Jewish, sadly antisemitism seems to be flourishing in many of our best universities. In consequence many Israeli and Jewish students feel under pressure. Vice-chancellors have been far too feeble in combating antisemitism. They should send down students guilty of discriminating or harassing other students on account of their ethnicity; and they should send down anyone seeking to re
As to what went on in 2013 when it is said that Justin Welby had to face details of the conduct of the sex sadist Smyth QC I cannot claim to be certain. But I suspect that Archbishop Welby had to consider what would happen were the CoE to commence proceedings against Smyth QC And it would have been pointed out to him that Smyth would dig in and the costs would have been colossal with nothing to show for it in the end. So Welby had to trust that by ignoring Smyth he would save
Nowadays Mo has cut off the bulk of his hair – just as Samson did. And we know what happened to him. He should revert to being his former self, a sort of scarecrow head and, I must presume, all will be well. Written by Simon Cawkwell, December 2025
To have called Jeremy Vine a paedophile was bound to provoke a response by Jeremy Vine. There was/is no evidence whatsoever to support such an assertion. Barton was always a difficult fellow during his footballing career. But that is no conceivable basis of a defence. Written by Simon Cawkwell, December 2025
This may have emerged in yesterday's DTel prize crossword. It was "Afflicted here, espy malefactors. He put on hoof?" 3,4,8,2,3,10. The answer is: The Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse. Written by Simon Cawkwell, December 2025