I have been watching the repeat of BBLB, and it seems to me that the numbers don't add up.

Derek claims he is 40.

Christine Hamilton said she met Derek 20-25 years ago when he was working as a researcher for an MP. She also said he was 23.

If it was 25 years ago Derek was 15

but meeting a 40 year old twenty years ago at 23 doesn't add up...

or did I mis-hear it?

p.

if someone could get a brown paper bag full of used tenners to Neil he might ask her to clarify when she gets home

I think she actually said she met him 23 years ago, meaning he was 18 at the time which would be the right age to be a very junior researcher in the HofC. He said the other day he is 41, though his age is given as 40.

I wouldn't put it past him to have shaved a few years off - there's never been anyone older than 42 in the house (non sleb). Plus add in Christine not remembering correctly, she's not the most reliable person on facts.

Look out, they sue people who say things like that!

Derek was an assistant to my MP around 20 years ago.
My MP was/is gay.

Say no more.

Christine's brain is probably slightly fried.

And if your name is Jonathan Aitkin you not only lose,but get banged up too.

I hope she wasn't inferring he was underage

"20-25" isn't exactly the most precise of figures, is it now? she could easily be out by a couple of years. does "17 years ago" alright for you?

The Hamilton's lost that particular case too, but they probably wouldn't now since they are (according to TV types in the know) a much loved national institution.

<pedant> Wasn't Ahmed 44? </pedant>

pedant? more like collector of useless trivia

*holds hands up and hangs head in shame*

And who said crime doesn't pay

Yes, or as Derek would say, 42.

"this is my black friend"

I thought from the off that Derek was more than 40. Closer to 50, I would suggest.

Neil Hamilton never been accused of a crime or broken House of Commons rules. He says he received no money from Al Fayed and there has never been any tangible evidence he did, although he and his wife did admit to being put up at the Ritz in Paris and drinking expensive wines etc. Even if he did take money, unbelievably it was not at that time against any parliamentary rules for anyone in Britain to pay an MP to ask questions or for an MP to take the money. The case that bankrupted them was a libel case between them and Al Fayed, relying mainly on his secretary's testimony. In case you think I am, I am absolutely not a conservative voter and I hold no candle for the Hamiltons but I know a bit about Al Fayed and his operations and I would not believe anything that came out of his mouth or that of any of his henchmen. The Hamiltons are easy targets.

I did think Christine was very good value on BBLB - she made Dermott look out of his depth on his brief esp when commenting the letter from Buck House and showed Mary up for what she is, someone who shouldn't do reality TV because she is completely witless and unentertaining.

Correction-Ahmed in last year's BB was 44.

Who cares-as far as I'm concerned, Mary is a nice person-and good eye candy...

Oh i do agree, I thought she was excellent and did outshine Dermott. Give the show to Christine, she would be excellent.

Edit realised libel or slander was stated, don't want to get into trouble.

15 years ago Neil was a rising star in the government and if Derek was 15, 20 or even older than Yoda CH would have no memory of one lowly tory party researcher.

Makes her look the sorry pathetic woman she is.