Leak betrays queen's speech with a difference: David Lister examines a Christmas message for the nation that has made Channel 4 executives launch an inquiry
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A LEAK inquiry was launched last night after the Independent was sent a copy of a queen's speech.
Following the leak to the Sun of the Queen's Christmas message last year, media anxiety was heightening that the government might strengthen press sanctions in its forthcoming White Paper.
When news of the leak broke at 5pm, senior executives at Channel 4 were fetched from their lunches at various restaurants in Charlotte Street, central London
The Alternative Queen's Speech to be delivered on Channel 4 on Christmas Day by the gay writer and humourist Quentin Crisp is couched in diplomatic terms but has a vicious subtextual attack on young people and women. It ends with a call on all Britons to emigrate to the United States.
One insider at Channel 4 said the Christmas spirit had been utterly destroyed. Party games involving golden handcuffs had been cancelled, and the culprit when found would be seconded to promoting the channel's season on Polish cinema.
Michael Grade, Channel 4's chief executive, commented tersely: 'I've ordered an immediate inquiry into how an advance copy of the speech left the building. When we commissioned Quentin Crisp's broadcast to match the style and transmission time of the Queen's speech, the last thing we foresaw copying was last year's security lapse.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments