Mrs Ritchie’s not running

Sad to report that Michael Portillo’s replacement as MP for Kensington and Chelsea will not be the glamorous Shireen Ritchie. In recent weeks, speculation has been growing that Ritchie – Madonna’s mother-in-law – would apply for the seat when the process begins in January.

But Mrs Ritchie, a local councillor and Conservative association chairman, says otherwise.

“It’s an interesting little idea, but not true,” she tells Spy. “All sorts of rumours have been flying around about various members of my family. Both my son and stepson have been mentioned. But neither of them is interested, so that’s three Ritchies out of the frame.”

Local party members are hardly surprised at the news: “I think Shireen secretly hankers after a peerage anyway,” says one.

Source: Telegraph.co.uk