EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Stanley Johnson says China is ‘doing a great job’ despite claims Beijing covered-up the origins of Covid and commits human rights abuses

China stands accused of genocide against the Uyghurs, hiding the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic and systematically dismantling human rights in Hong Kong.

But, to Stanley Johnson, China is ‘doing a really great job’ when it comes to the environment at least.

Boris Johnson’s father tells me: ‘Of course, I recognise there are issues and concerns [in dealing with China] that people feel need to be addressed. My position is that not everything needs to be lumped together, do you see?’

The former I’m A Celebrity contestant was speaking after attending an environmental conference in Hancheng, China, yesterday, via video link. Stanley made a speech about the ‘brilliant’ initiative to launch the China World Coastal Forum. He insists the Communist regime has made a ‘major step forward’ in its environmental work.

Stanley was joined at the conference by his friend Zac Goldsmith, a close chum of Boris’s wife, Carrie

It marks his return to the political arena, after accusations last November by former Cabinet minister Caroline Nokes and a senior political journalist, Ailbhe Rea, that he had touched them inappropriately. Johnson said he had ‘no recollection’ of Nokes.

Stanley was joined at the conference by his friend Zac Goldsmith, a close chum of Boris’s wife, Carrie. Billionaire’s son Zac was elevated to the peerage and appointed an environment minister by Boris after losing his seat at the last election.

Some might be sceptical about China’s environmental credentials after its officials watered down pledges made at COP26 in Glasgow at the last minute. But Johnson says we should ‘applaud’ China, adding: ‘I don’t think any of us can afford to say that we’re not ready to engage with China, even though we’ve got legitimate concerns maybe about Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Uyghurs and so on.’

He adds he’s looking forward to China’s next big environmental conference in November. It will be held in Wuhan, birthplace of Covid.

He adds he’s looking forward to China’s next big environmental conference in November. It will be held in Wuhan, birthplace of Covid (file image of the P4 laboratory in Wuhan)

 Ellie is still falling for toyboy Caspar 

Ever since Ellie Goulding started going out with Eton-educated art dealer Caspar Jopling, friends have joked he’s the pop star’s ‘toyboy’. And, as her husband left his 20s, she couldn’t resist teasing him about his age.

Goulding, 35, baked a chocolate cake and iced the words ’30 v old’. Online, she gushed: ‘To my extraordinary husband. You are the kindest, best person I know. P.S. You’re fit.’

Ever since Ellie Goulding started going out with Eton-educated art dealer Caspar Jopling, friends have joked he’s the pop star’s ‘toyboy’. And, as her husband left his 20s, she couldn’t resist teasing him about his age

Goulding, 35, baked a chocolate cake and iced the words ’30 v old’. Online, she gushed: ‘To my extraordinary husband. You are the kindest, best person I know. P.S. You’re fit’

HAIRDRESSER Lino Carbosiero, who was awarded an MBE, styled David Cameron’s locks. He was, however, less than slick when he dramatically fell on the steps as he walked to his front door.

The hairdresser slipped and tumbled up the four wet stairs, rolling into the doorway to greet his porter lying on his back. 

But Carbosiero is taking the faux pas in his stride, sharing the CCTV footage with his famous friends online. ‘When I saw the video, I laughed,’ he tells me. ‘It’s quite funny.’ Pretending he was three sheets to the wind, he jokes: ‘So much for dry Jan.’

Everything’s just rosy for Cara and Selena  

Selena Gomez sparked wild speculation about her sexuality when the Disney Channel star was seen puckering up to her chum Cara Delevingne at a basketball game.

Now, the actress, 29, has said she and Cara decided to get matching rosebud tattoos because the bisexual model had made such a profound impact on her life.

Gomez explains she’s got ‘multiple’ tattoos with ‘people who’ve left a significant mark on [her] life’. She had a giant rosebud on her neck while Cara, 29, had hers on the side of her ribcage.

‘She’s one of my best friends. She calls me rosebud, so it’s a nickname.’ Selena, whose ex-boyfriends include Justin Bieber, has said she has ‘absolutely’ questioned her sexuality in the past.

Selena Gomez sparked wild speculation about her sexuality when the Disney Channel star was seen puckering up to her chum Cara Delevingne at a basketball game

Now, the actress, 29, has said she and Cara decided to get matching rosebud tattoos because the bisexual model had made such a profound impact on her life

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray is a winner in the property game. I can reveal that the canny Scot has sold some ‘land and buildings’ in America for £4.3 million — almost £2 million more than the expected asking price. 

The sale was documented in newly filed accounts for the tennis star’s business, 77 Management Ltd. 

Murray, 34, has amassed an impressive selection of bricks and mortar over the years which has helped swell the coffers of the company, now worth £22.6 million. 

As well as a selection of properties in the U.S., where he spends part of the year training, he also owns a £2 million hotel in Scotland and lives in a £5 million Surrey mansion with wife Kim Sears, 34, and their four children.

Auld acquaintance are being forgotten at Prince Charles’s country retreat, where he’s cancelled plans for an organic Burns Night for the second year in a row.

Highgrove, in Gloucestershire, usually has a black-tie charity dinner to mark the annual celebration of Scotland’s national bard, 

Robert Burns, on January 25. It was cancelled last year because of the pandemic and no event is to be staged this year. The Burns-loving Prince has paid homage to the Bard several times before. He even recorded a recitation of his poems for the BBC.

Adrian’s girl lands star role in the line of TV duty

Now we’re cooking with gas! Line Of Duty star Adrian Dunbar’s daughter Madeleine is following in his footsteps after winning a role in a gritty new television drama.

The cabaret star, 34, is to play a psychiatrist in Kensal Town, set in the poorest part of London’s richest borough.

‘I’m very excited to be a part of this fresh new series with incredible talent,’ says Madeleine, who will appear with Eric Roberts, Oscar-nominated brother of Hollywood star Julia Roberts.

Last summer, Madeleine surprised Dunbar when she announced her engagement, to East End roofer Callum Lazenby-Todd, via text.

Line Of Duty star Adrian Dunbar’s daughter Madeleine is following in his footsteps after winning a role in a gritty new television drama

Source: Read Full Article