Was Roy Castle’s brother, I imagine. But beyond that, in the words of Motty-lite 80s throwback Barry Davies, “frankly, who cares?”
Catch the pigeon
It is real life Dastardly and Mutley as residents of an Indian village performed a citizen’s arrest of a pigeon they accuse of spying for Pakistan. A move that will find much sympathy with the people of Hartlepool no doubt (for our overseas readership they hung a monkey they believed to be a French spy).
So much to ponder on this. I think we need technical clarification as to whether the pigeon “flying into a woman’s house” means it entered via door/window or rather smashed into the side before sliding down the wall to continue the cartoon theme. Also, I can see how it could be quite nifty for flying over stuff and observing, but how does one suppose it downloads the information? And what if the Indians deployed an attractive other pigeon and caught yours in a honeyseed trap? And is it wise to have a spy that would also be nice wrapped in bacon and roasted with sage? Have they really thought this through? And have the Indian villagers been given a medal?
Facing the Axa?
Axa has lost a French court case to a Parisian restauranteur which could compel it to meet his business interruption claim. The court ruled that the government order forcing the closure of cafes, bars and restaurants did constitute an interruption to business and ordered it to provide compensation for two months of lost earnings. Axa is appealing the ruling but if it is upheld it will pave the way for multiple similar claims to be successful. The case is similar to that involving a hotel in Manheim, Germany which also went in favour of the claimant last week. Whilst technicallty this will have no bearing on upcoming UK cases, it is interesting to see what is possibly the start of a pro-client trend.
Number’s up
Let us return to the subject of global loon Elon Musk and his strangely named baby produced by “singer” Grimes. As we discovered a couple of weeks back, the crackpot couple had named their offspring X Æ A-12 due to it being conceived in a layby on the Chelmsford by-pass. But now they have respelled the moniker X Æ A-Xii. The couple claim that this is because it “looks better” with Roman numerals. But it may also have been driven by a Californian law that forbids the use of numbers in a person’s name. This being the very reason why Warwickshire cricketing stalwart Roger Twose has never moved to Los Angeles. And nor has Bill Twelvetrees or Craig Johnstone.
On FERMA ground?
The European Risk Managers Association – FERMA – has called on EU to create a framework to help provide future non-physical damage BI cover. This will play into discussions already underway at European Commission and EIOPA on whether there can be a Union wide response such as this. We continue to monitor developments in this area via BIPAR and will seek to ensure the industry’s voice is heard as the debate progresses.
Crowning glory
Back to our irregular series on articles that would be obvious April Fools in calmer times. This time featuring Burger King’s social distancing crowns. In order that you don’t get the disease whilst munching a whopper with cheese (I may sell them that one) you have to stand under a presumably one metre radius mock King’s hat. A novel idea but one that does prompt one thought. A message to Burger King – this is any generic 1970s sitcom calling, we would like our novelty, just got back from holiday in Spain, sombrero back please.
That’s it save to note yet another lobbying triumph from your trade association. After the scandal of no McDonald’s opening any further north than Peterborough (although this is north of Watford and thus officially “the North”) we called on Nando’s to step up. And they have surpassed all expectation. Now, thanks to LIIBA, the burghers of Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester will be able to rip their lips off with heavily spiced Portuguese chicken offerings. And it doesn’t stop there. Even some Scottish sites are reopening. Strangely though not the home of Parliamentary champion Lisa Nandos in Wigan. So our work, whilst glorious, is not yet done. I am right on it. It is so peri, peri important.