Ex-Tory press chief AMANDA PLATELL asks: should a Prime Minister’s consort wield so much power?

Some years ago, when I was head of communications for William Hague, then Tory Leader of the Opposition, he called me and other key advisers to a crisis meeting at his Yorkshire home. There were 12 of us at the dining table, including William’s wife Ffion, a highly-intelligent civil servant. But when Ffion offered her … Read more

With Ibiza unavailable Amanda Platell instead found that Yorkshire made a great spot for a reunion

Right now, I should be lying on a sunbed beside the infinity pool, above the old town of Ibiza with friends, chilled rosé in hand. Instead, I am reclining on a grassy knoll surrounded by deep woods and yellowing fields, greedy bees ravishing the lavender borders. No pool, but the rosé is in place. I … Read more

AMANDA PLATELL: Police close the Stephen Lawrence murder case, but I pray this isn’t the end

Had he not been stabbed to death by racist thugs at a bus stop on April 22, 1993, Stephen Lawrence would now be 45 years old. This talented teenager would probably have kids and a career. He might have been an architect: aged 18, that was his dream. How heartbreaking, then, that after 27 years, … Read more

AMANDA PLATELL on the tragic death of Britain’s youngest coronavirus victim aged just 13 

Just over one week ago, 13-year-old Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab was at home with his mum, six brothers and sisters, doing what we’re all doing, watching TV, warding off boredom, isolating at home. The healthy lad described by his family as ‘a bubble of life’ then started showing coronavirus symptoms. Soon he had difficulty breathing and … Read more

AMANDA PLATELL: Mums need us more than ever on Mother’s Day this year amid the coronavirus crisis

For mums across the land tomorrow, Mothering Sunday will be perhaps the most poignant — and unnerving — they’ve ever experienced.  So many elderly parents will be kept away, in self-isolation, from those they care for most. There will be no parties for them, no flowers hand-delivered to mother by those who once depended on … Read more

AMANDA PLATELL: Stump up for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s protection? That’s rich! 

What a shock it must have been for the Duke of Sussex to learn that his adopted host nation Canada would no longer foot part of the bill for his family’s police protection. How could this be? Harry’s and Meghan’s bestie, PM Justin Trudeau, had welcomed them warmly in December. And the country is a … Read more