Natasha Richardson has died

This is very sad news. Natasha Richardson is part of the very famous Redgrave family, and indeed married to Liam Neeson.

This is a personal tragedy to the whole family, particularly her children and husband. I am very sorry for their loss.

This all started with an innocuous harmless skiing accident causing no apparent injury bar a bit of a knock to the head. It just goes to show how dangerous head injuries can be, and how hidden the real damage can be.

The BBC has this.

Humphrey Lyttelton dies at 86

I have to wonder if he would say it was not a moment too soon.

Humphrey Lyttelton was and I suppose still is a legendary jazz musician, but I remember him for "I am sorry, I haven't a clue" a Radio 4 show that I have been a fan of since I was knee high to a grasshopper.

I will miss this great talent on the one hand but celebrate his life on the other.

Alas, I can't think of any funny innuendo.

The BBC has this whilst wikipedia has this.

He will live in my heart forever, and will always be remembered with a chuckle.

Gwyneth Dunwoody died yesterday

Now, here was a parliamentarian whom all ought to respect. A fighter, a battler and someone who would not be intimidated.

Parliament will miss her even if the whips don't.

May she rest in peace.

The BBC has this, wikipedia has this.

Gwyneth Dunwoody was MP for Crewe and Nantwich. I suspect they will sorely miss her also.

Boris Yeltsin is dead

According to the BBC here Boris Yeltsin, former and indeed first president of Russia died at the age of 76 today.

The most memorable moment of his career was when he prevented a coup against Mikhail Gorbachev. However many people suffered during the economic reforms of the 1990's and he left office being despised in his own country. Such is the fate of world famous leaders.

Ian Richardson Dies

It says something about an actor that when he passes away it creates so much interest and comment in the political world as if he was a major politician who changed the landscape.

Ian Richardson was a fine Shakespearean actor who had a long and glittering career. However for many people he will be remembered as Francis Urquhart, the Conservative Chief whip in House of Cards.

It says something for the man that he filled the role so completely that Francis came to life, to be both quoted and compared to other real politicians.

I do like his oft quoted "You might think that, I couldn't possibly comment."

In a rare Friday evening in I watched Chanel 4 news last night. They had Nick Brown on, who as we know was a former whip. I can't remember the exact words he said so I shall paraphrase.

Jon Snow asked if there was any one in the Labour whips office who could compare for Urquhart's Machiavellian ways. Nick Brown thought of Peter Mandelson, but said there were two differences.

• Firstly Mandelson was not good as a whip. The chief whip liked him so little that he did not even give him a desk, and none of the other whips would pass him information.
• Secondly he said Urquhart was a "high Tory" who had principles. Apparently no one has ever accused Mandelson of that!

How catty!

Any way, we have lost a fine actor, who was about to put in another television appearance on Mid Sommer Murders. I do hope the BBC will be repeating House of Cards.

Meanwhile Iain Dale has this, the Telegraph has this, and the Times has this and this. Apparently the Sunday Times will have this.