
Ms. Penny’s fees
As the dust settles after Saturday’s fracas between David Starkey and Laurie Penny, a source familiar with the situation explains to Mr Steerpike the history between these two scribes: ‘David and Ms Penny were supposed to be debating at a fundraising event for the Thomas Paine Society about a week ago. Penny was in the US and had demanded a fee (which David did not: he only charges corporate engagements fees and does a huge amount pro bono). Such was her request that the event was cancelled — they couldn’t afford her. So David mentioned this in response to the tax avoidance jibe and ended up saying, “I came
