[Bones McCoy]

The BBC news coverage is beginning to get right on my tits, though. The lead presenter on the lunchtime bulletin had no sooner intoned that “Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor continues to deny any wrong-doing”, than he handed over to a reporter stationed at Sandringham, who within about 90 seconds had also said that “Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor continues to deny any wrong-doing”. Cut to another reporter, stationed at Windsor, who didn’t say it, but there was an on-screen banner proclaiming yet again that “Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor continues to deny all wrong-doing”.

They must have repeated it about 25 times in a 20 minute bulletin. I think we all understand that he denies all wrong-doing.

It's becoming the new "Michael Gove denied the risk, describing it as 'project fear'".

[Abernathy]

The other repeated refrain is of course “Being named in the Epstein files is not, in itself, evidence of wrong-doing”.

Well, maybe not. But it’s a fucking MASSIVE clue that there probably was.

[mattomac]

They were still using Harry and Meghan as the biggest scandals of the royal family up until Christmas.*

*Channel 5 advert for some garbage at Xmas on the royal couples “scandal”.

[Oboogie]

Just listened to The Newsagents podcast on this, like the BBC and LBC (and hopefully all other broadcasters) they are also adhering to the broadcasting restrictions governing trials ie emphasising Andrew's denials etc.

[davidjay]

It's reaction to the Cliff Richard case.

[AOB]

If you think he's been worried or losing sleep the last couple of years you're almost certain to be mistaken if what his biographer Andrew Lownie says is true about him thinking this entire subject is all a fuss about nothing. That photo of him looking "shellshocked" in the back of the car is wishful thinking. Like a photo of someone blinking being described as tired. Lownie also thinks he's a flight risk and could fuck off to the middle east.

[Youngian]

They were still using Harry and Meghan as the biggest scandals of the royal family up until Christmas.*

*Channel 5 advert for some garbage at Xmas on the royal couples “scandal”.

Another tabloid low is drawing equivalence between Harry and Andrew as the two problem royals.

[Boiler]

Serious question: where can one actually find the released "Epstein Files"? I've just learned of someone who has genuinely said "where are these files? I've not seen them"...

[Bones McCoy]

[Killer Whale]

Serious question: where can one actually find the released "Epstein Files"? I've just learned of someone who has genuinely said "where are these files? I've not seen them"...

https://www.justice.gov/epstein

[Bones McCoy]

The other repeated refrain is of course “Being named in the Epstein files is not, in itself, evidence of wrong-doing”.

Well, maybe not. But it’s a fucking MASSIVE clue that there probably was.

Being apprehended outside a recently robbed bank, wearing a hoped shirt, little mask and carrying a bag marked SWAG - is not, in itself, evidence of wrong-doing

[Bones McCoy]

Two questions spring to mind.
Neither concerning the de-frocked prince himself, but those who live nicely in his orbit.

Where were the Royal Protection Officers - shouldn't part of their duties involve protecting the nation from its royals?

What were the Royal Correspondents distracted with (Hint: Black, American, Rhymes with sparkle) and why didn't they raise even the slightest alarm?

[Abernathy]

Yes, good point. And thus far, unaddressed. Those close protection officers’ job necessitates knowing where their charge is, or is going, at all times. They frequently need to assess venues in advance for secure entry/exit points, and I’d hazard a guess that they have to keep documentation of all that.

[Oboogie]

I listened to a former Royal Protection squad officer who confirmed that of course they keep a detailed diary of every duty they perform. He was talking specifically of the night when Andrew was either dancing with Virginia Giuffre
at Tramps nightclub or eating pizza in Woking, either venue would need to be risk assessed in advance as would the Epstein property where Andrew was photographed with Virginia. Andrew would be accompanied at all times and all details would be logged which would confirm which story is true.
Unfortunately I can't recall where I heard this, pretty sure it was LBC - might be J O'B or could have been Andrew Marr.

[Andy McDandy]

"Do as I say, sergeant, or I will see you reassigned to cleaning the toilets on submarines for the rest of your career" might come into play.

As for royal correspondents, look at the first word in the job title. It's piss easy journalism, not even gossip columnist hard. But you need the royal access, otherwise you may as well be a nutter draped in union flags and camping outside M&S in Windsor.

[Boiler]

Serious question: where can one actually find the released "Epstein Files"? I've just learned of someone who has genuinely said "where are these files? I've not seen them"...

https://www.justice.gov/epstein

Thanks, KW. My mate can pass that on to the pillock who said it; no doubt said pillock would have been shouting from the rooftops if said files were full of left-of-centre folk.

[Bones McCoy]

"Do as I say, sergeant, or I will see you reassigned to cleaning the toilets on submarines for the rest of your career" might come into play.

As for royal correspondents, look at the first word in the job title. It's piss easy journalism, not even gossip columnist hard. But you need the royal access, otherwise you may as well be a nutter draped in union flags and camping outside M&S in Windsor.

I always thought they were the same as nutters draped in union flags.

Except the correspondents were on the hockey team at their girl's boarding school.

[Abernathy]

I see that the government is now apparently considering removing Mountbatten-Windsor from his place in the “line of succession” - a theoretical league table in which various undeserving individuals are ranked in order of their chances of being crowned King or Queen should all of those above them in the league table suddenly die or become otherwise unexpectedly and permanently indisposed. And just typing that out drives home what a farcical, absurd charade the whole fucking set up is. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is at number 8 in the league table behind Prince Willie and his three offspring and Prince Harry and his two sprogs. Which means in reality that the 66 year old paedophile’s best friend is never going to become King. I’ve probably got as good a chance as he has, and I’m not even on the fucking table.

Not really sure why they’re bothering with that.

[Youngian]

The royal team are looking somewhat threadbare, Anne's getting on a bit like the King which has left Edward 'Zeppo' Windsor having to step up.
I understand Harry and dad have had an exploratory reconciliation meeting. This is a notoriously pragmatic family.