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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| EU referendum: Four problems with the Sun’s 'Queen Backs Brexit' front page | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The Queen was dragged into the EU referendum debate last night amid claims she launched a lengthy criticism of European integration during a “bust-up” with Nick Clegg. | The Queen was dragged into the EU referendum debate last night amid claims she launched a lengthy criticism of European integration during a “bust-up” with Nick Clegg. |
| She is said to have “let rip” at the then Deputy Prime Minister during a lunch at Windsor Castle, where she is reported to have informed him of her belief that the European project was heading the wrong direction. | She is said to have “let rip” at the then Deputy Prime Minister during a lunch at Windsor Castle, where she is reported to have informed him of her belief that the European project was heading the wrong direction. |
| The “bombshell” claims, which appeared in the Sun, cited an anonymous “highly reliable source”, who said: “People who heard their conversation were left in no doubt at all about the Queen’s views on European integration. It was really something, and it went on for quite a while... The EU is clearly something her Majesty feels passionately about." | The “bombshell” claims, which appeared in the Sun, cited an anonymous “highly reliable source”, who said: “People who heard their conversation were left in no doubt at all about the Queen’s views on European integration. It was really something, and it went on for quite a while... The EU is clearly something her Majesty feels passionately about." |
| The newspaper's introduction reads: "The Queen was hailed as a backer of Brexit yestersday after details emerged of an alleed bust-up betwen her and Nick Clegg over Europe... A source said: 'People were left in no doubt about her views on Europe'". | The newspaper's introduction reads: "The Queen was hailed as a backer of Brexit yestersday after details emerged of an alleed bust-up betwen her and Nick Clegg over Europe... A source said: 'People were left in no doubt about her views on Europe'". |
| However, buckets of cold water have been poured on the alleged conversation from five years ago. | However, buckets of cold water have been poured on the alleged conversation from five years ago. |
| Following the publication of the story, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “The Queen remains politically neutral, as she has for 63 years. We would never comment on spurious, anonymously sourced claims. | Following the publication of the story, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “The Queen remains politically neutral, as she has for 63 years. We would never comment on spurious, anonymously sourced claims. |
| “The referendum will be a matter for the British people.” | “The referendum will be a matter for the British people.” |
| Mr Clegg said last night: “As I told the journalist this is nonsense. I’ve no recollection of this happening and it’s not the sort of thing I would forget.” | Mr Clegg said last night: “As I told the journalist this is nonsense. I’ve no recollection of this happening and it’s not the sort of thing I would forget.” |
| A spokesman for Clegg added: “This is categorically untrue. Nick has no recollection of this conversation and it is not the sort of conversation you forget.” | A spokesman for Clegg added: “This is categorically untrue. Nick has no recollection of this conversation and it is not the sort of conversation you forget.” |
| After being told that her Majesty “BACKS BREXIT”, an inside editorial, on page 2, then demands: “We must know her view”. | After being told that her Majesty “BACKS BREXIT”, an inside editorial, on page 2, then demands: “We must know her view”. |
| It adds: “The Queen is arguably the most respected stateswoman in the world. If she has a view on Brexit, don’t voters have a right to know what it is? | It adds: “The Queen is arguably the most respected stateswoman in the world. If she has a view on Brexit, don’t voters have a right to know what it is? |
| The claim, from the “impeccably placed source”, never mentions Brexit – as the reported lunch was in 2011. It is clear that you can be critical of the EU, without actually advocating a swift exit from the Union. | The claim, from the “impeccably placed source”, never mentions Brexit – as the reported lunch was in 2011. It is clear that you can be critical of the EU, without actually advocating a swift exit from the Union. |
| Many pro-EU politicians begin their defences of the European project with: “The EU isn’t perfect, but…” | Many pro-EU politicians begin their defences of the European project with: “The EU isn’t perfect, but…” |
| A search of the Court Circular finds five people were present at a dinner attended by Nick Clegg and the Queen on April 7 2011 at Windsor Castle: | A search of the Court Circular finds five people were present at a dinner attended by Nick Clegg and the Queen on April 7 2011 at Windsor Castle: |
| Nick Clegg, then leader of the Liberal Democrats | Nick Clegg, then leader of the Liberal Democrats |
| Michael Gove, then Education Secretary and now the Justice Secretary | Michael Gove, then Education Secretary and now the Justice Secretary |
| Cheryl Gillian, then Secretary of State for Wales | Cheryl Gillian, then Secretary of State for Wales |
| Judith Simpson, then clerk of the Privy Council and civil servant | Judith Simpson, then clerk of the Privy Council and civil servant |