The Times Magazine 49
OCTOBER
09.10 Takeover of Newcastle United
“Away from all the goings-on in Westminster,
Newcastle United had been taken over for
£305 million by a consortium backed by
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, despite
concerns over the country’s human rights
record. But as we all know, the real buyer
was Mohammed bin Salman’s regime.”
02.10 Urgent: butchers required
“I loved doing this one. There was news
that Britain is facing a shortage of butchers,
and ministers were discussing plans to
ease visa restrictions in order to avoid
a shortage of pigs in blankets, hams and
party foods this Christmas. They are all
real cuts – and I enjoyed making it work
for the prime minister.”
