Interesting table talk

Stem-cell researchers may have felt a little anxious last week when the news broke that Merlin Biosciences, the biotech venture capital firm founded by Sir Chris Evans, was being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office. Sources close to Sir Chris insisted this week that his new stem-cell research foundation, recently given charitable status, would be unaffected by such investigations. Rumour has it that the night after the news hit the papers, Sir Chris was given the ultimate seal of approval - Tony Blair kept an arrangement to meet him for dinner.