with my old friend Rupert Perry (used to be Boss of EMI) now living in Los Angeles. One rather elderly member of staff took me to one side to say something we already knew (and had evidence for my trial) that Claridges had never employed waiters until they were 16 at least. I quoted to him the sworn statement, in trial, by that False Accuser "I was making £500 a week at Claridges" (that's over £2000 a week in today's money) as a 14 year old, and my remark in the book GUILTY - he must have been doing overtime in room service.

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07GDS575P/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb

Funnily enough this was also evidence in my trial (a different False Accuser) - emerged after he provided a valuable tape recording which gave us much better proof for our side than he imagined it would including contact with a DJ I hadn't spoken to for decades. Incredibly potent stuff - never actually needed during the "debacle".

Just on the point of low ranking hotel staff, and their remuneration.

As a young student, some years ago - working in a premier West End hotel - my salary was a pittance.

However, my lowly role(s) was front of house - in the eye of both guests and the public.

Consequently - with long days and considerable overtime - I was earning more than £500 a week.


When celebrating, arriving after long journeys or just after seeing a great West End performance - temporary residents there are surprisingly generous.


And the hotel operators know this - gauging salaries/wages accordingly.

*gratuities and tips were the reason for the unusually high income...

Barney wrote:
*gratuities and tips were the reason for the unusually high income...

And there was me thinking you must have been winsome and willing.

I'm sorry Barney but I just find it impossible, no matter how generous, that a 16 year old (he claimed to have been 14) could have made £2000 a week in today's money in tips unless his services were far more than usual.

Fair enough - I can only type about my experience of some years ago.

My income was precipitated by - over three shifts (morning, afternoon and evening) - 20/30 tips.

Ranging fro £1 to £20; the latter was very rare; average £6; over 7 days.


Much more interesting in these prestige hotels is the side business(es) of the Duty Manager - usually, but can be the Head Porter or a long serving hotel fixture.

This chap can surreptitiously procure any service or product, at a price.

For £10 note, I often picked up a small package from a nearby location.

Or delivered a message - in an envelope.

Just one condition- 'the pick-up/delivery' never happened.

Yes Barney; but what I am unable to specify is that this Artful Dodger type character was very definitely delivering different services to wealthy clients and we had solid proof of this that we would have revealed to the jury and judge had the trial continued - fortunately for the False Accuser, not needed in the event as I was found Not Guilty of the three most serious false allegations and the rest of the debacle (Judge's word, not mine) was tossed neatly into the legal rubbish bin. Likewise the evidence we had about his alleged numerous rapes of his 10 year old sister when he was 20. Had the jury heard everything we gathered, he would likely now be serving a very long prison sentence.

Barney, What year were you working there? Without knowing the date, the amount of money doesn't mean much.

Accepted totally.


My posts were really asides.

Concerning a relatively unknown (or media covered) silent industry.

Just one of the many that are rarely mentioned.


My Duty Manager's most common request was - 'lady of the night'..?