Ilford North MP calls for investigation over Sun’s ‘Queen backs Brexit’ article
Buckingham Palace have complained to press regulator Ipso about The Sun's story claiming the Queen backs Brexit. Ilford North MP Wes Streeting has called for an investigation into the article. Picture: Chris Jackson/PA - Credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images
Wes Streeting MP has written to the cabinet secretary asking for an investigation into claims in today’s Sun that the Queen wants to leave the EU.
The newspaper’s front page, headlined “Queen backs Brexit”, claimed the monarch told the then deputy prime minister Nick Clegg of her Eurosceptic views at a Privy Council meeting in 2011.
The incumbent Ilford North MP today wrote to Sir Jeremy Heywood, the highest civil servant in the land, expressing his “concern” about the story.
Mr Streeting said there are “a number of questions which ought to be investigated immediately”.
He argued Privy Council meetings must be held in “private and good faith” to preserve the Queen’s neutrality.
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The Labour MP then wrote: “It is extremely worrying that claims which appear to refer to a meeting held in 2011 are being so evidently exploited for political purposes today by those advocating Britain’s withdrawal from the EU.”
He urged Sir Jeremy to investigate who The Sun’s “‘two different and impeccably placed sources’” are as any disclosure of information would amount to “an extremely serious breach of the rules”.
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Since the story hit the newsagents this morning Mr Clegg has dismissed it as “nonsense” and Buckingham Palace have reported the newspaper to press regulator Ipso.
To read Mr Streeting’s full letter click here.