US outlet stands by report on ‘death’ of Queen: Hollywood Unlocked’s Jason Lee denies ‘fake’ retraction
Gavin Riley / Our Today
administrator
In the latest turn of events, Jason Lee, founder and CEO of US media outlet Hollywood Unlocked, is distancing himself from a public apology that had purportedly been made by his company amid backlash around the legitimacy of its report on the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Lee, in a tweet on Wednesday (February 23), said the ‘apology’ is from an account not associated with Hollywood Unlocked and that he would continue to stand by the now-viral post which claimed to break the news of the Queen’s passing.
According to Lee, Buckingham Palace is yet to officially deny the report and, as such, Hollywood Unlocked will not be retracting its article.
“Woke up to some fake account posting a retraction. We do not know that account and we have not retracted our story. There has yet to be an official statement from the Palace. Staying tuned,” Lee tweeted.
Just hours earlier, the alleged “fake account” posted an apology where it blamed a journalist intern for posting the Queen’s death announcement by mistake.
The report on the Queen’s death has led to widespread confusion on social media, with other media outlets reporting that Buckingham Palace sources have denied the claim.
Lee’s refusal to remove the article and publication of the purported succession plan, ‘Operation London Bridge’, has left many unclear about what to believe.
The succession plan dictates that the announcement of Queen Elizabeth II’s death would take place through a series of events, including informing the prime minister’s office as well as leadership within the Commonwealth Realm, before updating the public in general.
Hollywood Unlocked, hours after its claim the Queen had died was dismissed, reported last night that ‘Operation London Bridge’ has been put into effect.
Comments