Geoffrey Bindman marks a half century of libel action at Private Eye
I wrote in NLJ earler this year about my experiences as Private Eye’s solicitor in the 70s and 80s (NLJ, 15 & 22 April 2011, p 558). My departure from this role coincided with the retirement of Richard Ingrams as editor and the arrival of the current incumbent, Ian Hislop. I am delighted to congratulate both of them on the 50th anniversary of their esteemed organ, which continues to enhance the gaiety and wisdom of the nation.
Long lunches
As their legal adviser, I attended the regular Eye lunches at the Coach & Horses in Soho. On these enjoyable occasions celebrities such as Alan Clark and Stephen Fry—among others whom it would be indiscreet to identify—were pumped for stories of scandal in high places, by which readers of forthcoming issues of the paper were duly entertained. More recently, my invitations to lunch have been reduced to one a year, when the editor is on holiday.
I was
