First we take Newcastle, then we take Berlin

A former Central Coast beauty queen's support for a Holocaust revisionist is causing deep ructions within the London establishment, writes Peter Fray.

HER friends call her "uplifting", her enemies the "fragrant fascist", and the woman herself, in self-deprecating mode, lays claim to being the world's "most unsuccessful bimbo".

Whatever her most fitting title - and she's had a few - you can't say that Australian-born Michele Renouf, who at 56 remains one of the most glamorous members of London polite society, runs away from a fight. "I won't be bullied," she told the Herald. "I am of the Australian ilk that will not tolerate being bullied."

Lady Renouf is probably best known in Sydney and Melbourne as the third and final marital fling of the late New Zealand financier, Sir Frank "The Bank" Renouf, almost 30 years her senior. Their union collapsed in 1991 after only a few months when Sir Frank reportedly discovered the then Countess Griaznoff was a truckie's daughter from The Entrance, on the NSW Central Coast, and not a Russian noblewoman. He later described the marriage as a "nasty accident".

But now her devotion to another older man - David Irving, the Holocaust revisionist historian banned from Australia - has inspired not only her bullying claims but threatens to split a veritable pillar of the British establishment.

Formed 166 years ago, the Reform Club on Pall Mall is an exclusive haunt of Britain's elite, a place where the country's top lawyers, judges, politicians, executives and media types relax and debate matters of import.

Renouf, who describes herself as an actor and postgraduate psychology student (not to mention former model, dancer and beauty queen - Miss Newcastle 1968), is an active member. She is friends with several of the club's leading lights, including ace London networker and salon host Carole Stone and Professor Bob Worcester, the chairman of the Mori polling group. Calling her friend "beautiful" and "an uplifting person", Stone said: "She is someone who has very individual views. She takes them to the nth degree."

But due to Renouf's articulate and forthright support for Irving's views, Reform has become the reluctant battleground for the outer limits of freedom of speech. "Freedom of speech and the right of people to demonstrate I would uphold," said one club member, who declined to be named. "But you have to draw the line somewhere and anti-Semitism is it."

What has brought matters to a head is Renouf's nomination to be elected to the club's 15-member general committee, its ruling board. On December 11, five new members will be chosen for a three-year term. If Renouf wins a seat, some members are believed to be considering resigning.

Renouf declined to discuss Reform matters, as did Stone and Worcester. "I believe in freedom of expression except when it relates to your club or any private matter," Worcester said. "It's nobody's business what goes on there." The club's secretary, Robin Forrest, was unavailable for comment.

What is clear is that behind the closed doors of the Pall Mall establishment - from where the fictional Phileas Fogg set off to conquer the world in 80 days - the scene is set for a bruising encounter. Renouf's nomination is said to have prompted a record field of 10 nominations and a push to ensure a good voter turnout to defeat her.

But the lady is not for turning, even though she had noticed that some club members "are nervous of speaking to me for fear of association". Perhaps they have good reason.

Two months ago the club attempted to have Renouf expelled for writing an unpublished letter to London's Evening Standard supporting Irving. It found its way to the internet. She had signed it, "Lady Renouf, Reform Club, 104 Pall Mall", a move seen by some as lending the club's good name to Irving.

But it is understood she was saved by an eloquent speech on her behalf by Worcester. She said signing the address of the club was just a convention.

Being elected to the committee would be sweet revenge for Renouf. Irving, a non-member, has been blackballed after he attended a club function last year at Lady Renouf's invitation. She would not discuss her plans if elected, but said: "I think Irving has to be listened to. I am inclined to his view but I am not an expert. I certainly think he has some very interesting views that need to be investigated." She described Judaism as a "repugnant and hateful religion", though stressed she was not anti-Jew.

As for her claims to Russian aristocracy, Renouf, who was born Michele Mainwaring, said the title was legitimately hers via her first marriage to psychiatrist Daniel Griaznoff. His mother hailed from a line of White Russian aristocrats. "I only used the title for charitable work," she said.

For the record, she strongly denied suggestions that she had married Sir Frank for his money. "It's lampooning [me] a little excessively," she said. She did not receive a divorce settlement, a fact which qualified her as the world's "most unsuccessful bimbo".

Related items on this website:

  The Age (Melbourne): "Bimbo" who rattled the old buffers club

  Protests as Evening Standard reports Mr Irving is to be barred from London's Clubland

  Reform Club, which banned Irving, puts his book in Library

  The model turned society queen, a tarnished Holocaust historian and a disturbingly unsavoury anti-Semitic email

  The Times calls Mr Irving: An unreformed character (ho ho).

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