Those considering allowing politician John Prescott or media proprietor Richard Desmond to speak at their charity events might want to talk first to the organisers of President’s Club dinner, held to fundraise for children’s charities.

According to a report in Private Eye this pair gave a poor account of themselves by, in Precott’s case, boasting about his saving the world at Kyoto, and then telling his hapless audience “If you want me to go, I will” (They did, and he did) And Desmond reportedly underwhelmed all with a similarly toe-curling 20 minutes of self-aggrandisement. Apparently the charity auction, which usually raises £500,000 for the kiddies only raised £100,000.

No such thing as a free speaker?