The Sheikh seeks to hang up his robes. Or is it a fake?

What is going on at Britain's most popular paper, the News of the World? As part of cost-slashing across Rupert Murdoch's UK print empire, the "Screws" is to lose 20 editorial jobs - and reporting staff are restless about some of the names being floated.

Newsroom whispers have it that none other than the "fake sheikh" himself, the controversial investigative reporter Mazher Mahmood, has been in aborted talks with management over a package to hang up his robes. "He discussed voluntary redundancy, but they didn't want him to go. He is too valuable," says a source.

One of the tabloid's other heavyweights, its chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck, is also said to have discussed the issue informally with bosses. Thurlbeck is worth his weight in precious stones, for his ability to deliver front-page splashes of the calibre of David Beckham's affair with Rebecca Loos, and Jeffrey Archer's false alibi.

"Basically they are getting rid of so many people, and some of the big guys who've been here for years don't like the way the paper is going. When Maz and Neville ask to go, it is game over. We see more job cuts ahead."

Neither Mahmood nor Thurlbeck would comment yesterday, although a management source denied the claims. Perhaps they might inform their staff, some of whom believe otherwise.

As for David Mellor, Sven, Mick Jagger, the Countess of Wessex and a host of criminals and philandering sportsmen who have been Maz "hits" - they should keep the fizz on ice, for now.

Jay Kay's speed machine: his caravan

Time was when Jay Kay would have braved trenchfoot at Glastonbury. Forced to choose between music and cars, however, the feline rocker opted to spend his weekend in the more civilised environs of the Earl of March's Goodwood estate, mixing with tweed jackets and motorheads at the Festival of Speed.

An organiser tells me the Jamiroquai singer made provisions for romantic camping: "We sent him a ticket, which allowed him to stay here in his campervan for the weekend. I believe he used it."

Not as grotty as it may sound: Jay Kay's fleet of vehicles - Aston Martin, Bentley, four Ferraris, Mercs, Lamborghinis - includes a £46,000 motorhome, replete with multi-jet shower, sunroof, ambient lighting and minibar. Whereas the festival's star, Lewis Hamilton, sport's hottest property, stayed at his parents' house.

Bill fuming over ban

Given three decades with the Rolling Stones and his forthcoming 71st birthday, Bill Wyman appears a beacon of good health. The bassist plans to flout the ban on smoking in public places.

"I'm carrying on. I don't care," Wyman said at Sir Peter Blake's 75th birthday party on Saturday, in the Arts Club. "Like they do in France - they've got 'No Smoking' signs everywhere and nobody takes any notice. The trouble is that people here just do as they're told."

Sir Peter, the club's honorary president, was toasted by friends including Jerry Hall, Antony Gormley, Tracey Emin, Sir Paul Smith, Adrian Mitchell, Cilla Black, and various Royal Academicians and pearly kings and queens.

Fortunately, the old timers' tickers withstood the appearance on stage of lingerie model (and wife of Vic Reeves) Nancy Sorrell, who delivered a Marilyn-esque "Happy Birthday Mr President", accompanied by the Blockheads. (Blake taught Ian Dury at the Royal College of Art.)

Purple patch

Congratulations to Harriet Harman on the march of her "lilac revolution".

I hear that Blair's mucker Alan Milburn has not yet found time to put a lavender-scented card, commending his Labour colleague, in the House of Commons internal mail system.

Last September, you may recall, Pandora overheard Milburn at a late night drinks reception, seemingly unenthusiastic about Hattie's deputy leadership campaign. "Don't give me all that crap about the feminist vote," I heard him tell two partygoers. "She's fucking hopeless. She should campaign on the 'I'm fucking useless' vote." He eventually backed Hazel Blears.

Time heals, and HH no doubt looks forward to being invited to address Milburn's Darlington constituents in her new capacity as party chairman.

Sloshing about the mud

Two Glastonbury sightings: Andrew Marr and Alan Yentob. A mole matted with mud spotted the pair inside the VIP bar for members' club the Hospital - refugees from the Somme-like conditions. Marr, I'm told, was clutching a jug of Pimm's and throwing some shapes to the sound of cockney warblers Chas'n'Dave. Yentob was discovered in a state of deep relaxation on a Chesterfield.

"That is a complete calumny!" declares Marr when I call, "and I'm going to pre-emptively sue you." He concedes, after some pressing, that he "unfortunately" missed the duo, adding: "I was there with my daughter and she would have given me 'evils' if I jumped or gyrated." Marr enjoyed the Arctic Monkeys, Lily Allen and Switches, but missed Shirley Bassey because he left at 10pm on Saturday, to rush to Manchester to present Sunday AM from Labour's leadership conference.

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