‘Damaging and malicious fiction’: Sir John Major attacks The Crown amid fears over King’s reputation

16 October 2022, 07:44

Sir John Major was moved to issue a statement condemning the plot of The Crown
Sir John Major was moved to issue a statement condemning the plot of The Crown. Picture: Alamy

By Asher McShane

Sir John Major has issued a statement condemning Netflix Series The Crown as a “damaging and malicious” work of fiction.

Creators of The hit Netflix show are being pressured to put a warning notice at the start of each episode reminding viewers that parts of the show are fictitious.

A rumoured plot line in which King Charles secretly schemed to oust the Queen when Prince of Wales has caused particular concern - and prompted Sir John to issue a damning statement about the programme.

Last night,  a spokesman for Sir John said: “Sir John has not cooperated – in any way – with The Crown. Nor has he ever been approached by them to fact-check any script material in this or any other series.

Read more: 'We went too far, too fast': Chancellor scrambles to ‘stabilise’ economy - with Trussonomics junked

Read more: Jess Phillips' jailed stalker wins £100,000 on scratch card as MP given ‘terror alert’ over concerns

“Discussions between the monarch and prime minister are entirely private and – for Sir John – will always remain so.”

The plot lines were described as “damaging and malicious fiction” and “a barrel-load of nonsense peddled for no other reason than to provide maximum - and entirely false - dramatic impact”.

“There was never any discussion between Sir John and the then Prince of Wales about any possible abdication of the late Queen Elizabeth II ,” the spokesman added.

Scenes featuring imagined conversations with the late monarch were “fiction, pure and simple”.

Sir John has never disclosed the nature of any of the discussions he held with the late Queen during their weekly audiences.

One scene said to feature in the series shows the then Prince of Wales summoning Sir John to a meeting and hinting that he wants his support for the Queen’s abdication.

Netflix has previously made clear that The Crown is a dramatic series and has never sought to portray it as a documentary.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Fresh police appeal 30 years on from murder of schoolgirl who went to buy cornflakes but never returned home

Renewed hunt for murder suspect 30 years after schoolgirl went to buy cornflakes but failed to return home

Educating Manchester star headteacher once called a 'breath of fresh air' struck off following Ofsted investigation

Educating Manchester star headteacher once called a 'breath of fresh air' struck off following Ofsted investigation

Saleh Aslam died in a tragic accident at home while playing as Spider-Man

Boy, 5, dies in tragic accident while playing ‘Spider-Man’ game at home

Child serial killer Lucy Letby denied retrial over conviction for attempted murder of baby girl

Child serial killer Lucy Letby offered 'tips' to colleague on how to get away with murder, inquiry hears

Labour's Pat McFadden refuses to say if Trump has 'KKK or Nazi sympathies'

'Does Trump have KKK or Nazi sympathies?' Minister refuses three times to answer 'extremism' question

Live
Donald Trump to begin picking cabinet as Biden praises Kamala Harris' 'courage' and integrity'.

US election 2024 LIVE: Donald Trump to begin picking cabinet as Biden praises Kamala Harris' 'courage' and integrity'

Why did Trump win and why did Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters

Why did Trump win and Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters in the wake of US election results

Germany's government on the brink of collapse after sacking of key minister

Germany's government on the brink of collapse after sacking of key minister

Australian breaker Rachael Gunn, also known as Raygun, during the B-Girls Round Robin breaking competition at La Concorde Urban Park in Paris,Credit: Australian Associated Press/Alamy Live News

Raygun quits competitive breakdancing after 'kangaroo' dance mocked at Paris Olympics

Keir Starmer has offered his 'hearty congratulations' to Donald Trump - but is facing pressure to apologise over past comments made by David Lammy

Starmer offers 'hearty congratulations' to Trump, but faces pressure over Lammy's past criticisms of president

Kamala Harris has conceded defeat to Donald Trump

'I concede the election but not the fight': Harris urges supporters not to despair despite defeat to Trump

Donald Trump speaks at his election night watch party, Wednesday

What does Trump's victory mean for war in the Middle East and in Ukraine?

Amy Dowden and former dance partner JB Gill

Amy Dowden gives health update after announcing she is dropping out of Strictly in 'heartbreaking' statement

Mpox only spreads between people who are in close proximity to each other.

Another case of new more infectious mpox strain detected in UK, bringing total to four

Kamala Harris spoke with Donald Trump to congratulate him on his victory

Kamala Harris calls Trump to concede defeat and urges him to govern for all Americans as president

Exclusive
FILE - Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, right, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shake hands during their meeting at Trump Tower, on Sept. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)

Trump 'is serious about ending Ukraine war', says former national security adviser as he blames Biden for the conflict