The UK Express unpublished three articles about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry after allegations of inaccurate quotes.
The fake quote claims weren’t about quotes attributed to the royal couple, though. Instead, Harper’s Bazaar royal editor-at-large Omid Scobie complained because inaccurate quotes about the couple were attributed to him.
The Express published a note on its website stating it has taken down the articles because the articles were based on a Mail Online article. A spokesperson for the Express declined to comment. Scobie declined to comment to iMediaEthics on the record.
The Mail Online’s Jan. 6 article was headlined “Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will take on more work in Canada and a second child is ‘not their priority’ due to their packed schedule, royal expert claims.” It reported on Scobie’s interview with OK Magazine.
On Twitter, Scobie wrote:
“Glad to see certain websites removing false and inaccurate quotes from me. In future, if it looks suspect, reach out to me. I’m literally just a DM away…”
In a Jan. 7 “clarification,” the Express wrote:
“On 06 January 2020 Express.co.uk published three articles headlined “Will they ever come back? Meghan and Harry to ‘take on more work’ in Canada”, “Meghan Markle pregnant? Duchess to cancel baby plans in bid to ‘recharge’ after tough year” and “Meghan Markle pregnant: Why Meghan and Harry WON’T announce pregnancy this year”. They have been removed. These reports were based upon an article from the Mail Online. According to a journalist called Omid Scobie of Harper’s Bazaar the Mail Online’s quotes were inaccurate. In light of Mr Scobie’s claim we have removed those three articles.”