ITV political correspondent Lucy Manning revealed the truth about her close encounter with the new Downing Street cat, as she helped Norwood raise £12,000 at its annual Ladies Lunch. The event yesterday afternoon was organised by the Charity’s Food & Thought Committee, and was hosted by the Haven Bistro & Bar in Whetstone High Road. The popular venue generously sponsored the event, allowing all proceeds to go directly to the people with learning disabilities, and children and families in need, who rely on Norwood’s life-changing support.
Lucy Manning began by telling guests the background to her now infamous altercation with Larry, the new Downing Street cat, who gave her a nasty scratch live on camera. She explained that an earlier ITV story about a rat infestation at Number 10 may have been to blame after it prompted previously uninterested civil servants to consider buying a cat. “I think they realised that headlines about cats was better than one about ‘rats at Downing Street’,” she said, before revealing the unsurprising fact that she does not like cats.
She also described what it was like to report on the General Election from within the Labour party, including the ‘Bigotgate’ scandal, and, when asked who she would most like to interview, she replied: “The interview that every journalist wants is Osama Bin Laden, because nobody knows where he is and there would be lots of questions to ask him.”
Afterwards, she said of Norwood: “I learnt a lot today about Norwood and the amazing work it does and support it gives people. In these difficult economic times, it is especially important to raise as much money as possible to support causes like Norwood that are fundamental to the life of the community.”
The event also featured a raffle, with an array of prizes including a night’s stay for two with dinner and breakfast at the De Vere Hunton Park Hotel and a three-course lunch for four with bottle of champagne at Hotel Verta.
Ingrid Segal, a member of the Food & Thought Committee, said: “On behalf of Norwood, I want to thank Lucy for her extremely entertaining insights into life in the corridors of power and I think it’s fair to say we gave her a far more friendly reception than Larry the Downing Street cat!”
Fellow committee member Michelle Plainer added: “I’d also like to thank everyone at the Haven for sponsoring the event, to everyone who donated raffle prizes, and to our guests for helping us to raise so much money. Thanks to their support, Norwood can continue to provide a vital safety net on which so many vulnerable people rely.”
