Rachel Johnson faced trial by fire — or fired — at the Oxford Literary Festival on Saturday. Poor Johnson was grilled by vengeful interviewer Paul Blezard, whose position as literary editor of The Lady ended abruptly in the early days of her editorial premiership. “We’re here to bury the hatchet,” Blezard said gleefully, “Although it will probably be in her back.”
“I thought this was our rapprochement,” appealed a contrite Johnson. She later complained that Blezard had failed to show up at the festival green room, after previously inviting her to join him there as soon as possible. “I was running across town in heels!” she added, “Even his mum was after me. Apparently she was outside afterwards giving him an earful for actually letting me off lightly.”
