The story must have been a sub-editor’s dream. The Telegraph could barely resist with its headline, ‘Bag snatcher poaches £2 million Fabergé egg’, while the Times opted for the less playful: ‘Police on a Fabergé egg hunt after pickpocket strikes at West End pub.’ Frankly, I’m disappointed: a story about a stolen Fabergé egg appears during Lent and that is the best they come up with? Pressure on The Spectator’s sub-editor for this article aside, the story is glorious clickbait, teasing as it does with the terms ‘Fabergé’, ‘millions’ and ‘theft’. One can’t help but think of Octopussy, museum heists, fast car chases and suitcases full of cash. The public is crying out for the glamour of it.  

Even Khamenei’s death might not finish the Iranian regime

Is it time to scrub Andrew from the line of succession?

Do Gorton’s Green voters know what they’ve done?

And yet, crack the shell of this story and the glamour is mostly illusory. In November 2024, Rosie Dawson, the director of premium brands at the Craft Irish Whiskey Company, had her handbag stolen in a pub in Soho by one Enzo Conticello. Her bag contained a Fabergé egg and watch worth £2 million, as well as a laptop and credit cards. The egg and watch, which belonged to the Craft Irish Whiskey Company, are still missing. Addressing Conticello,........

© The Spectator