Matthew Bell: The <i>IoS</i> Diary (15/05/11)

Sir Christopher Meyer, the hard-working ex-ambassador who tirelessly chaired the Press Complaints Commission, has rushed to the defence of his wife in a letter to The Daily Telegraph.

Catherine Meyer had been accused of "paying herself" a surprising amount of money from the child abduction charity she runs, PACT, but the letter, from the charity's trustees, says that in fact her pay was decided by the trustees (of which her husband is one). Trouble is, their clarification of the accounts only highlights how charities often spend as much money on themselves as on good causes.

Last year PACT raised £97,805, of which Mrs Meyer and her assistant were paid £45,531, almost half the total revenue. "Donors give their support... because they are inspired by her leadership and record of success," says the letter, though Mrs Meyer never did succeed in her bid to become a Tory MP in 2004.

Isabel Oakeshott, political editor of The Sunday Times, landed a scoop last week when she revealed that Chris Huhne tried to dodge a driving ban by getting his staff to take his speeding points.

The revelation came in an interview with Vicky Pryce, Huhne's estranged ex-wife, whom he left for his press assistant last year, after 26 years of marriage. Now, rumours are swirling that Oakeshott is ghost-writing a book for Pryce, out of which last week's scoop emerged. If published, such a book would cause much embarrassment to Huhne.

Although I understand no contracts have yet been signed, and there is some doubt whether Pryce will even going ahead with a book, Oakeshotte would be an ideal choice as collaborator. She declines to comment when I call.

Last month I asked what would happen to the 100 million porcelain sunflower seeds currently scattered across the turbine hall at Tate Modern.

The exhibition of Ai Weiwei's work was due to end on 2 May, and the seeds returned to him in China. But he has been detained by the Chinese authorities, and his whereabouts are unknown.

Now I learn that the seeds are going to be made into a massive cone, to be kept as a reminder of his unjust incarceration until he is freed or given a fair trial. Last time I wrote about this, I suggested the seeds be sent to the Chinese authorities one by one, as a kind of water torture – an idea that Tom Sutcliffe clearly liked so much, he also suggested it in a newspaper yesterday.

He was booted out of the Lords by Labour, and failed to return in last month's by-election to replace Lord Strabolgi; but the Earl of Stockton has finally re-entered politics, albeit on a smaller scale.

The grandson of Harold Macmillan has won a seat on the South Bucks District Council, bringing the total number of Tory councillors to 38 out of 40. The 67-year-old former journalist, who became very rich by selling Macmillan, the family publishing firm, was surprised by his victory.

"I thought it was an astonishing result," he told a local paper. "Usually the Government party of the day gets a bit of a kicking at the local elections, but that seemed to be reserved for the Liberal Democrats."

Lord Stockton will now have a say in the future of the high-speed rail line due to cut through the Chilterns, which the council strongly opposes. His son Dan is dating Sienna Miller, who has been compensated £100,000 by the News of the World for having her phone hacked.

Speaking of which, I get a call from Australia, from someone making a vital point about the phone hacking farago.

We all thought it was Rupert Murdoch who had clamped down on the News of the World a few months ago, by ordering the sacking of a few bad eggs. In fact, the person driving the train is not the Big Daddy of News International but his 102-year-old philanthropist mother, seemingly admired and adored by all who know her, who still plays a full role as patron of a children's hospital in Melbourne.

"Elizabeth's really furious about the phone hacking, and has told Rupert in no uncertain terms," says a voice from under the shade of a coolibah tree. "She never thought Rupert should have bought the News of the World."

But is it really the title that's the problem?

It's a pity the royal family never sues anyone for libel. It would be interesting to watch a trial unfold between Prince Philip and Oliver James, the psychologist quoted in Keith Allen's film about the death of Diana as saying he is a "Fred West-style psychopath".

James is highly respected in his field, having published numerous books and journals on mental disorders. However, he has never treated Prince Philip.

Strangely, he doesn't return my calls when I telephone to ask what evidence he has for his outlandish claims.

m.bell@independent.co.uk