So, The Sun is retreating with its tail between its legs.

It is possible for HE to have acted inappropriately without having acted illegally and for The Sun to have published on very flimsy ‘evidence’. I don’t trust that newspaper’s journalistic integrity one jot and manipulating a story to suit their agenda feels like the most likely approach:

I agree AmberSpyglass. The Sun has form for lying as well as manipulating.
I’ve just skimmed the DM on line. They’re blaming the BBC journalists, rather than the Sun for harassing their colleague. Another manipulative ‘news’ paper.

As I said on another thread (I've lost count of what is where now) the timing of this is 'interesting' to say the least. That theory was ridiculed, but I still think it is a distinctly possible reason for something that has been 'bubbling under' for some time to explode when it did.

At the end of the day, The Sun referred to the adult involved as a child and alleged illegal activity happened which police have now confirmed wasn’t the case. The Sun had been told by the young person's lawyer beforehand the claims they were making were unfounded and published anyway, without once mentioning that the supposed victim had been in contact via the lawyers.

This has to finish them, no matter what Huw Edwards has done.

Oh, the timing was 1000% intentional! It’s a dead cat story designed to get people talking about anything other than Johnson’s refusal to hand over his messages.

AmberSpyglass

Oh, the timing was 1000% intentional! It’s a dead cat story designed to get people talking about anything other than Johnson’s refusal to hand over his messages.

Yes, I agree, but when I said that I was told I was fantasising and laughed at.

I do believe that there is some truth in the HE story, as it has been rumoured for some time that the BBC was about to get its own 'Schofield situation' to deal with, but I also think it is a dead cat, and that Murdoch is ruthless. TBH, what has shocked me the most about this is the sheer malice towards those with a different POV on this thread.

I didn't know that the young man had lawyers on the case before all of this blew up though. Do you know where that was reported, please? (I have been working today and haven't been on top of the news.)

Just quickly googled this for you, Doodledog
www.theguardian.com/media/live/2023/jul/10/bbc-investigation-suspended-presenter-police-latest-updates

I wondered if the young man can get the lawyers to have some kind of injunction on his parents is all I suppose.

Thanks, Wyllow.

That doesn't suggest that the lawyers told The Sun that the claims were false before they went to print though, does it? I keep getting cut off, as there is a big storm here, and the Internet is dropping 😡

Wyllow3

I wondered if the young man can get the lawyers to have some kind of injunction on his parents is all I suppose.

I wondered about that too, Wyllow. He should have to go through this.

Doodledog

Thanks, Wyllow.

That doesn't suggest that the lawyers told The Sun that the claims were false before they went to print though, does it? I keep getting cut off, as there is a big storm here, and the Internet is dropping 😡

www.theguardian.com/media/2023/jul/11/five-questions-for-the-sun-on-its-story-about-the-suspended-bbc-presenter

Did the Sun contact the young person before publishing allegations?

The 20-year-old’s lawyer has said the Sun’s story is “rubbish”, alleged they were not approached for comment prior to publication, and insisted they told the Sun last week that the story was wrong.

Despite this, the Sun did not include any denial from the young person in its coverage until Monday night.

Sources in the Sun newsroom suggested the tabloid had been working on the story since at least Wednesday of last week, meaning they had at least 48 hours to approach the young person for their side of the story.

A Sun spokesperson did not return a request for comment on whether the newspaper had made any direct contact with the young person – or whether they had attempted to do so.

AmberSpyglass

It is possible for HE to have acted inappropriately without having acted illegally and for The Sun to have published on very flimsy ‘evidence’. I don’t trust that newspaper’s journalistic integrity one jot and manipulating a story to suit their agenda feels like the most likely approach:

It sure does!

AmberSpyglass

It is possible for HE to have acted inappropriately without having acted illegally and for The Sun to have published on very flimsy ‘evidence’. I don’t trust that newspaper’s journalistic integrity one jot and manipulating a story to suit their agenda feels like the most likely approach:

Spot on I think 👍

Doodledog

As I said on another thread (I've lost count of what is where now) the timing of this is 'interesting' to say the least. That theory was ridiculed, but I still think it is a distinctly possible reason for something that has been 'bubbling under' for some time to explode when it did.

I agree. It appears that The Sun, and other Tory supporting newspapers, have saturated their papers with coverage of this - helpfully burying news and speculation about Osbourne's wedding saga, and Johnson and his phone. 🙄

GrannyGravy13

AmberSpyglass

It is possible for HE to have acted inappropriately without having acted illegally and for The Sun to have published on very flimsy ‘evidence’. I don’t trust that newspaper’s journalistic integrity one jot and manipulating a story to suit their agenda feels like the most likely approach:

Spot on I think 👍

I don't think AmberSpyglass is spot on.

It is also possible that he didn't behave inappropriately or illegally.

We simply do not know. One day we may know. One day evidence may be produced. Or we may never know because there nothing to know. But all this speculation gets us nowhere, it just allows people to be cross or strangely, excited.

But we can continue, of course.

it just allows people to be cross or strangely, excited.

Are you cross or strangely excited (whatever that means)?

Or is that you speculating about others?

So, now that Murdoch's cunning plan to bring down the BBC/deflect the attention from Johnson, Osborne has not worked, I assume we can expect some kind of flim flam non story about Harry and Meghan in the next week.

HousePlantQueen

So, now that Murdoch's cunning plan to bring down the BBC/deflect the attention from Johnson, Osborne has not worked, I assume we can expect some kind of flim flam non story about Harry and Meghan in the next week.

Hasn't it worked? Has there been much discussion of the Osbourne email allegations, or Johnson's refusal to hand over his messages, or has that ship sailed?

Hardly any mention at all, Doodlebug, other than by some commentators on Twitter. Can you imagine the outrage in the MSM (and GN) if the allegations on the Osborne email had been for Starmer? Or for Angela Rayner; she who has had the nerve to be a working class female Labour politician. She was ripped apart for using the word scum; a greater crime in the eyes of some than being a traitor, liar, or unfaithful to one's spouse. Going slightly off topic, but not really.

Doodledog

HousePlantQueen

So, now that Murdoch's cunning plan to bring down the BBC/deflect the attention from Johnson, Osborne has not worked, I assume we can expect some kind of flim flam non story about Harry and Meghan in the next week.

Hasn't it worked? Has there been much discussion of the Osbourne email allegations, or Johnson's refusal to hand over his messages, or has that ship sailed?

There is a thread on Gransnet about the phone, but not many have taken part. Once it was known that the phone was with his lawyers rather than being lost and the code was found by the government office it’s lost any heat it had.

As for the Osbourne email story, I don’t know why that didn’t develop any legs - it’s strange that the non Murdoch press didn’t pick up on it more.

Doodledog

*it just allows people to be cross or strangely, excited.*

Are you cross or strangely excited (whatever that means)?

Or is that you speculating about others?

I've never had so much excitement in my life for a long time!
😂😂😂

Nor me, though I didn’t realise I was so excited until Daisy gave me the benefit of the psychoanalysis.

I can't say I'm in any way excited, but I do get irritated at the way papers like the DM manage to bury Tory news under fluff.

They've currently got the top story about Kate gurning and grinning at tennis...give me strength!🙄

Who cares?

I've been 😲 😖🤯 at the tennis - watch out, I may be in the DM or even The Sun tomorrow!

Callistemon21

I've been 😲 😖🤯 at the tennis - watch out, I may be in the DM or even The Sun tomorrow!

I doubt it, unless they can bury bad news under you lol

They even dredged up Diana and her clothes earlier.. 🙄