New Labour supporter Helena Kennedy QC – once tipped to replace Lord
Irvine and become the first Lady Chancellor – is embroiled in a dispute
with the Charity Commission over her u35,000 annual honorarium as
chairwoman of the British Council. The Charity Commission is disputing the
payment of a fixed sum rather than "reasonable expenses" but the British
Council says honorariums have always been paid to its chairpersons.
Meanwhile, Kennedy's remuneration has been blocked for 10 months.