Quotes

A scandal can only flourish in the right soil. There must be a prevalent atmosphere for an incident, which might in other circumstances be totally ignored, to emerge as a symptom of all that is wrong with the times.

[on being prosecuted for criminal libel]: Though English laws fall into desuetude, they are seldom repealed until they become an embarrassment. They remain on the statute books like rusting weapons in an armory.

It takes some time to realize that the printed word has no effect at all on the behavior of politicians. Important editors in ivory towers still like to think that their words can topple governments and change the course of events. It may be important for their self-respect that they should think this, but, in reality, nothing of the sort occurs.

[on Christopher Booker]: He had been the "Eye"'s original editor when it was launched in 1961 and never really forgave me for ousting him a year or so later, claiming that, without his efforts, "Private Eye" would never have been established. This was true; but it was also true that, if he had not been sacked, the magazine would not have survived.