A truly remarkable event this week. News of the storming of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., brought a rush of vivid memories back to me, despite my dementia.
These dinners are a big occasion and are usually remembered for an ill-judged joke from the guest speaker, often what now passes for a stand-up comic in the United States.
These are not great days for clever comedy there. Late-night television hosts seem to be at a low point, forever apologising, like Jimmy Kimmel, or disappearing due to poor ratings.
But this year’s dinner will be remembered for very different reasons: a heavily armed man attempted to storm the event, reportedly intending to kill Donald Trump and members of his team.
A Secret Service agent was shot and wounded, his life saved by a bulletproof vest. Two memories came flooding back.
Sally and I attended the 46th such dinner when I was ITN’s Washington correspondent. The traditional venue was the Washington Hilton.
It was on the pavement outside, on Connecticut Avenue, that John Hinckley Jr. fired several shots at President Ronald Reagan and his entourage.
The President was wounded, and Press Secretary James Brady was gravely injured. I reported on those dramatic events at the time.
James Brady was a popular figure, a former journalist himself. History remembers him as “the man who took the bullet for Reagan.”
The shooting had immediate and dramatic political repercussions. Secretary of State General Al Haig rather bizarrely declared, “I’m in control here,” at a White House gathering.
In fact, neither protocol nor the line of succession gave him that authority. Emergency power lay elsewhere, and both Vice President George Bush and the Speaker of the House ranked ahead of him.
Unlike Brady, Reagan survived. Haig appeared again during the Falklands War, where he proved less than helpful and was no match for the formidable Peter Carrington, who ultimately took the blame for failing to prevent the conflict. Haig also spoke rather loosely about nuclear weapons, not one of history’s great figures.
On a more personal note, one of the charities closest to us, Naomi House hospice for children and Jack’s Place for young adults, has completed a major consultation with staff, families, and supporters. They have decided to rebrand as Naomi and Jack’s.
Alastair Stewart: I've been buffeted by shock, memory and quiet purpose this week
| GB NEWSWe attended one of the rebranding events this week, held at their charity shop warehouse. We met the wonderful staff, who proudly showed us around.
The shops provide a vital source of income. With very limited government support, they rely heavily on public generosity and donations.
A hospice for young people is something one hopes never to need, but you are always grateful that it exists. It offers care at the most difficult times, and it is run with dedication and compassion.
The Mandelson affair continues. The EU has decided to investigate, while the Commons rejected calls for Keir Starmer to face a further inquiry.
There were strong speeches on all sides. With elections approaching next week, the Prime Minister has pledged to carry on and lead Labour into the next General Election.
We shall see if his party agrees after May 7. I have my doubts.The week ended with Britain on a heightened terrorism alert level following the attacks in Golders Green.
The fear among Jews is palpable. Sal sent a message of solidarity to one of her best friends - an orthodox Jew living in north London.
Some find it difficult to hear Labour taking the high ground against antisemitism.