As England’s longest-running weekly magazine for women, The Lady magazine has an illustrious roll call of former employees. However in recent years, its editors have often attracted attention for the wrong reasons.
Boris Johnson’s sister Rachel was appointed as editor in 2009 but departed three years later following a feud with the publisher Ben Budworth’s mother Julia, who claimed that Rachel was ‘sex-obsessed’. History was then made when Budworth appointed Matt Warren as her successor, making him the magazine’s first male editor. Alas, he too had an undesired effect when it was revealed that he was having an affair with his secretary.
With Warren now stepping down to juggle journalism with work as a paragliding instructor, the position is once again vacant. But who will be deemed a suitable ladylike replacement?
In a move that is sure to ruffle a few feathers, Mr S understands that it’s another male who is being touted for the job. Richard Ingrams, the co-founder of Private Eye – and until last year, editor of the Oldie magazine — is being lined up as a likely replacement.
If he does take on the role, Mr S will be keeping a close eye on the contents of both The Lady and Ingram’s former magazine the Oldie. When Ingrams left the Oldie last year following a dispute with the publisher, his friend Alexander Chancellor was hired as his successor leading to what Vanity Fair called ‘one of the juiciest rows in recent Fleet Street history’.
While strong words were exchanged at the time, the duo are now reported to have made peace with one another. Mr S is unsure how long this can last if Ingrams does start editing a rival publication.
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