Allison Pearson

Judith Allison Pearson (née Lobbett; born 22 July 1960) is a British columnist and author.

Pearson has worked for British newspapers such as the Daily Mail, The Independent, the Evening Standard, The Daily Telegraph, and the Financial Times. She has also worked as a presenter for Channel 4 and BBC Radio 4. Pearson's chick lit novel was published in 2002; a film adaptation with the same title, I Don't Know How She Does It, was released in 2011.

Pearson campaigned in favour of Brexit and in 2016 described Brussels as the jihadist capital of Europe. She has criticised the Gender Recognition Act 2004, and opposed transgender rights.

Quotes

• For any Briton unburdened by snobbery, having a prime minister who was once a conjurer’s assistant would be pretty cool, actually. Besides, what better preparation for a Conservative leadership contest than having to maintain a fixed grin while a chap saws you in half?
  • "Dear Tories, drop the snobbery over true blue Penny Mordaunt and get behind her" The Telegraph (15 July 2022).
  • In support of Penny Mordaunt in the first Conservative leadership election of 2022; Liz Truss eventually became prime minister.

• I met Jeremy once on holiday and liked him enormously. Whatever he is full of, it's certainly not hate. (What Prince Harry and Meghan are full of is another matter.) Rather, he exudes a buoyant goodwill and a refusal to take things seriously that cheers everyone up. It has deservedly made him one of the most popular TV figures of our pious, finger-wagging age.
  You know, I would far rather have a world full of Jeremy Clarksons than Meghan Markles. I'm sure that things feel pretty serious for him right now, with the woke witchfinders at the door, but let's hope good times and high spirits return soon. We need him more than ever. Most people know that, for God’s sake.
  • "I would far rather have a world full of Jeremy Clarksons than Meghan Markles" The Telegraph (18 January 2023).
  • Pearson acknowledged Clarkson's tone was unwise in his comments about Meghan, Duchess of Sussex commenting "What was Jeremy thinking? He wasn't" and "No one who cared about Jeremy seized the wheel as he drove the Lexus LFA towards the abyss. Weirdly, and reprehensibly, nor did anyone at The Sun spike the piece or ask for it to be toned down".

• One thing that both sides avoid mentioning is the fact that [Russell] Brand was a hugely successful womaniser and his success was enabled by the girls who threw themselves at him in huge numbers.
• Are the females who fell for his weapons-grade flirting and lascivious quips, for that vampish slash of Kohl under the beady, greedy eyes, all victims of "emotional abuse"? Or did they possibly make really bad choices, as most of us have done at some point, ignoring the fact that the Shagger of the Year was unlikely to turn into Mr Darcy just because he pretended to take your phone number after you'd had sex with him in the hotel opposite his gig?
• This is known as "victim shaming" now, but it is a true account of how young women felt about a famous, magnetic male who flattered them. And it would be more honest, perhaps, to admit that certain girls will always throw themselves at powerful, sexy, exploitative men.
  • "Beware turning Russell Brand’s story into a conspiracy theory in its own right", The Telegraph (19 May 2023)
  • The comedian Russell Brand had been accused of the assault and sexual abuse of four women in the media, allegations he denies.