The 'Chipping Norton set': Just why David Cameron stuck up for his pal Jeremy Clarkson
DAVID CAMERON last night backed his "friend" and "huge talent" Jeremy Clarkson, after the Top Gear host's suspension by the BBC.
The public display of camaraderie with controversial presenter Mr Clarkson - who has been suspended following a "fracas" with a BBC producer – is not unexpected as both belong to an exclusive and influential social network
Dubbed the 'Chipping Norton set', after the Oxfordshire village near to where many of its members own properties, the group includes heavyweights from the across the world of politics and showbiz who are known to mingle and entertain one another.
Talk of pyjama parties and cosy Sunday lunches within Mr Cameron's constituency of Witney surfaced during the phone-hacking trial of former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks.
Mr Clarkson was himself among those sat in the public gallery during the long trial at the Old Bailey last summer, which resulted in the conviction of Ms Brooks' former-lover and ex-colleague Andy Coulson, also Mr Cameron's one-time spin doctor.
Other members of the Chipping Norton set include Mr Cameron's former director of strategy Steve Hilton, his wife Rachel Whetstone, a PR executive, and celebrated Blur bass player and cheese-maker Alex James.
Jeremy Clarkson first comment after being suspended
Charles Dunstone, the chairman and co-founder of Carphone Warehouse, and Howard Stringer, the chairman of Sony Corporation, are also part of the hugely influential club.
Matthew Freud, owner of PR firm Freud Communications, and his ex-wife Elisabeth Murdoch – daughter of News Corp media mogul chairman Rupert – were also one-time members of the Chipping Norton set.
The couple held an extravagant all-night party at their home in July 2011, just days before the infamous hacking scandal blew-up with revelations journalists' had hacked the schoolgirl of 13-year-old Milly Dowler.
Jon Snow, Piers Morgan, Lily Allen, Bear Grylls, Helena Bonham Carter, James Murdoch, Alan Yentob, Jeremy Clarkson and Robert Peston all attended the summer gathering.
Many considered this party the Chipping Norton set's "last hurrah".
