I have no doubt he knew what he was doing. He was just being a little devil seeing how far he could get and I bet to his amazement he ended up with a free flight.
As for selling the story....well that's the world we live in. Also once you've signed with a particular paper they make sure no one else gets near you rather than having the media camping outside your house.
What to buy for 18th birthdays?
Another Tired Kicking For The Sick And Disabled By Rishi
To think that London, or anywhere else for that matter, does not belong to any one demographic