BOSWELL'S DIARY

Scientists at the Edinburgh Molecular Plant Science Centre had been at pains to point out students working there would be helping Third World farmers fight environmental hardship.

But after returning from holiday Lord Sainsbury of Turville pulled out of the opening, his office citing "a potential conflict of interest".

The centre was funded by government money and the decision has not, therefore, been well received.

"It seems a bit strange that the research centre is only able to operate because of a substantial government grant," says my man in the lab coat.

"We would not ask students working there to do so for the benefit of large companies but instead to help better understand plant structures and how they interact with their environment.

"Lord Sainsbury was effectively invited to put the governmental rubber stamp on the whole thing and by pulling out it makes it look like we’re working for an organisation like Monsanto.

A DTI spokesperson said the minister had no option but to pull out having given assurances that he would not enter the thorny debate because he has interests in companies that carry out GM food research.

"Lord Sainsbury came back from holiday and after thinking long and hard decided that it would be the best thing to cancel his appearance at the opening because of the possible perception of a conflict on interest.

"He has decided to keep out of the debate and will have no bearing on policy decisions on the whole issue."

A spokesperson for Edinburgh University played down the perceived slight saying: "Obviously we were disappointed that Lord Sainsbury could not attend the opening but we still had a great day.

"GM food research is part of the work being conducted here but to deal with issues of malnutrition and starvation.

"Even the most virulent anti-GM food campaigners must agree that more research and debate is needed on this complex issue."

Glen's 007 naked ambitions

IAIN Glen has hit upon a unique solution for those who find wading through the mighty tomes of Chekhov akin to treacle.

On a recent sojourn to the remote Greek island of Kythira, the 42-year-old Scottish actor was reading the Russian’s doleful play The Seagull prior to his recent Edinburgh Festival run, while soaking up the sun.

"I decided that it might be a good idea to have a look at the script in preparation and to read some of his short stories," says Glen. "So I took a pile of literature with me and touted it down to the beach every day."

In between bouts of sunning himself au naturel, Glen reached for a volume of the great writer’s work to cover his modesty.

"I used a volume of Chekhov, which was a lot less of an inconvenience and so much more logical. I don’t think that the father of Russian literature ever countenanced that his masterpieces would be put to such good use, but believe me, they came in really handy."

However, on the fevered speculation that he might one day step into Pierce Brosnan’s well buffed brogues as 007, the actor is far more modest.

"I really do find all this speculation very, very boring," Glen said. "I would be deeply flattered to be asked; who wouldn’t?

"If I have to be honest I don’t want to take on the mantle of Bond when the bandwagon might roll off the hill. Bond does have a distinct history of reinventing itself so maybe they’ll let me play him as the villain at some point.

"I fear that there are a great many other very capable actors ahead of me in that particular line." Who might keep their tuxedos on perhaps.

Art comes first in capital exhibition for late Beatle

AFTER the success of the Dome’s recent Marilyn Monroe exhibition, it is the turn of John Lennon to be the subject of an Edinburgh show next month. Better known for his musical rather than artistic talents, the one-time Beatle did in fact once quip: "Art came first."

"The collection dates from 1968 up to John Lennon’s death in 1980 and includes 13 pieces from the Real Love book," says my man unpacking the prints.

"Everyone knows Lennon for his music but art was his first love. He began drawing long before he owned a guitar and went to the Liverpool School of Art between 1957-1960 and drew throughout his life.

"All the works are lithographs or etchings signed by Yoko Ono with John’s personal chop."

Imagine - An Exhibition of Prints by John Lennon opens at The Dome, George Street, on 21-25 October.

Weddings and whisky

MANY congratulations to fellow scribe William Lyons who tied the knot with Kate Wemyss in the beautiful Fife setting of Creich Parish Church, Luthrie, near Cupar.

The bride hails from those parts but a mass of Londoners travelled north for the day. Fortunately, the rain held off long enough for the guests to make their way to a marquee, where they danced to The Diminished 5th band.

Meanwhile, K has been in Skye attending two balls in 48 hours, but fortunately help was on hand at Sir Ian Noble’s Eilean Iarmain distillery, where a drop of Te Bheag gold star whisky proved suitably restorative.

Boswell's party of the week

ALTHOUGH this week will see battle commence between Harvey Nichols and Jenners as they throw rival parties, the hot ticket is a star-studded bash at Stobo Castle, near Peebles, to be attended by the dress designer Amanda Wakeley and Sir David Steel, the former presiding officer.

While on the subject of free-flowing champagne, Boswell was overzealous in describing Tony Singh as a partner at the Seafood Restaurant in St Andrews; he was there merely as a guest.

•HOWEVER tenacious the capital’s lawyers may be during office hours, it appears they are far more shy and retiring when it comes to looking for love, as Boswell discovered after witnessing speed dating over the weekend - a sort of hurried- up version of arranged marriages. Despite the suitable brief of attendees being given just three minutes to make a lasting impression, no more than a handful of legal types pitched up to Edinburgh’s City nightclub but fortunately proceedings were enlivened by the arrival of Alison Scott and Rachel Stewart-Liddon. The non-legal pair took to the "Six in the City" event like ducks to water, smiling through a smattering of predicable legal chat-up lines including "Hello, you look innocent, would you like to feel guilty in the morning?" Perhaps the next US craze - "dark dating", where the lights are turned off - might prove more successful.