Westminster is buzzing. Sabrina Carpenter has been granted a restraining order against a persistent intruder. The news broke an hour ago. Cue the outpouring of celebrity solidarity. But the real story? The quiet lobbying underway for tougher privacy laws. Multiple well-placed sources tell me that a cross-party group of MPs is preparing to table amendments to the Online Safety Bill. They want to criminalise stalking by drones and paparazzi. No names being named yet. But expect a few A-list faces to brief sympathetic journalists over the weekend.
The Carpenter case is a lightning rod. It’s not just about one star’s safety. It’s about the broader erosion of personal space for public figures. The intruder, a 34-year-old man from Manchester, had been sending hundreds of messages. He showed up at her hotel three times. Police only acted after a high Court application. That delays infuriates celebrity advisors.
Insiders say the demand is for an automatic presumption of a restraining order in cases of proven harassment. No more court battles for victims. The current system is too slow. Too expensive. It favours the rich. But the change would benefit everyone. That’s the argument being pitched to No. 10.
Labour is split. Some see it as a vote winner with young voters. Others worry about press freedom. The PM’s team is listening but non-committal. They’ve got Rwanda to worry about. But a well-timed letter from 50 high-profile names could shift the calculus. I’m told that letter is being drafted as we speak. Watch this space.
Downing Street refused to comment. But a source close to the Culture Secretary hinted she is “open to sensible proposals.” That’s code for: don’t rock the boat before the election. But Carpenter’s team is briefing they want a legacy. They’re playing the long game.
The tabloids are predictably noisy. The Guardian leads with the human angle. The Mail warns of “cancel culture for cameras.” But the real action is in the tea rooms of the House of Commons. I’ve got my ear to the ground. More soon.
