Ken Livingstone and Alan Duncan turn the tables on journalists

Ken Livingstone and Alan Duncan turn the tables on Evan Davis and Adam Boulton

CANCER Research UK hosts its ninth annual ‘Turn the Tables’ event on Monday October 13, giving politicians yet another opportunity to grill journalists for a change.

The lunchtime event will once again place two of the UK’s favourite journalists firmly under the spotlight as they swap roles for the day with two heavyweights from Westminster.

This year’s line-up will see Sky’s newshound Adam Boulton put firmly in the firing line when he’s interrogated by the former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone. The Dragon Den’s Evan Davis will also be getting hot under the collar as he’s questioned by the Conservative Party’s flamboyant Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, the Rt. Hon. Alan Duncan MP.

The event will be chaired by the Rt. Hon. Michael Portillo and adjudicated by former politician and now associate editor of The Times, Daniel Finkelstein OBE. Joining guests for the showdown at The Dorchester Hotel, London, will be an array of former participants and political giants, including Andrew Neil, Daisy McAndrew, Edward Stourton and Lord Falconer.

Guests will also have the opportunity to grill those in the hot seat by posing their own questions for a donation of £100 to Cancer Research UK. Turn the Tables is this year once again sponsored by Clifford Chance.

Ken Livingstone said: “Having spent most of my political life at the mercy of journalists’ prying questions, Turn the Tables should prove to be somewhat therapeutic for me.”

Polly Wood, chairman of Cancer Research UK’s national events committee, believes this year’s event will be the most explosive to date.

“Turn the Tables is always an entertaining event, giving guests a unique insight into some of the country’s biggest political and media personalities,” said Ms Wood.

“With such high profile names in the hot seat this year, we’re guaranteed an epic encounter.”

As well as providing a change from the run-of-the-mill business lunch, Turn the Tables will raise vital funds to help Cancer Research UK beat cancer. Since the first event back in 2000, Turn the Tables has raised more than £600,000 for the charity’s life-saving work.

Due to popular demand, this year’s event has been extended in length - starting at 12.00pm and finishing at 2.30pm. A table of ten costs £3,000, or £3,500 to include a distinguished political celebrity. To purchase a ticket, contact Barbara Alexander at Cancer Research UK on 020 7438 5434 or email Barbara.alexander@cancer.org.uk.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Cancer Research UK

Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to beat cancer.
Cancer Research UK carries out world-class research to improve understanding of the disease and find out how to prevent, diagnose and treat different kinds of cancer.

Cancer Research UK ensures that its findings are used to improve the lives of all cancer patients.

Cancer Research UK helps people to understand cancer, the progress that is being made and the choices each person can make.

Cancer Research UK works in partnership with others to achieve the greatest impact in the global fight against cancer.

For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 020 7121 6699 or visit

www.cancerresearchuk.org

This communication is from Cancer Research UK. Our website is at www.cancerresearchuk.org. We are a charity registered under number 1089464 and a company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales under number 4325234. Our registered address is 61 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PX. Our central telephone number is 020 7242 0200.