Page 2 | H&M pap chase/Blackgrid

4plusthehound · 2023-05-18T13:02:11+00:00

Shouldn't Blackgrid just release the footage? There is SO much consternation. If it was as low key as everyone seems to think and Blackgrid just release it - we would have all the answers.

caringcarer · 18/05/2023 22:30

On the radio today on Talk Sport news they said the taxi driver said under 15 mins not 2 hours and he would not consider it a chase and no near catastrophe. He would have no reason to lie.

FromEden · 19/05/2023 01:23

Getting up to even 40mph in midtown Manhattan traffic is pretty much impossible. That anyone was going 80mph is extremely unlikely. This is why even the mayor said that some of the account is "hard to believe". Anyone who has been to or is from NYC knows that their story just doesn't add up. They claim cars were driving on sidewalks and reversing down one way streets. Yet none of this was caught on camera? No eyewitnesses?

Peverellshire · 19/05/2023 03:47

A yellow taxi they just flagged down & squeezed into the back seat? Really?

WeAreTheHeroes · 19/05/2023 03:53

MoggyP · 18/05/2023 14:06

If there had been a 2 hour "near catastrophic" car chase, there would be oodles of car phone footage from passers by.

None has emerged. And their driver denies that it was a chase, and says he felt perfectly safe throughout (source, his interview to the Washington Post).

I'm just chalking this up as another of their "truths"

I thought the driver who gave the interview was the driver of the taxi they transferred to after stopping at the police station, the 19th Precinct I think it was?

ohnonowwhat · 19/05/2023 04:43

(I think the same when you see them snapping pics outside police vans arriving at court with high profile defendants/criminals - has anyone ever actually got a pic of anyone in a police van - I've never seen one. You usually get the defendant being led out with a jacket or towel over their face!)

But in those cases that might be their chance to get a picture before the face is covered and they're hurried off, but it seldom works so we don't see them. But in this case it's like the suspect doing a full press conference and posing for 20 minutes on the red carpet, why then would they feel the need to get blurry pictures in the back of a vehicle with blacked out windows as well?! None of it makes any sense... they say they were trying to disguise where they were staying but surely the best tactic would be pulling into a 'celeb' hotel that the paps would believe they might use, and that was also well practised at moving people about without being spotted in case they didn't fool them. Why on Earth get into a regular taxi? And out of a vehicle with blacked out windows and a specially trained driver into one without blacked out windows and a driver who very likely had absolutely zero training in evading the paparazzi? All very odd...

iamturtle · 19/05/2023 05:03

4plusthehound · 18/05/2023 16:40

Are you interested in seeing the footage the paps took?

Show quote history

Are you interested in responding to any of the points raised here? Or offering a logical explanation of their 'catastrophic car chase' as their own explanation doesn't make any sense at all. What exactly is it you're asking for, what would convince you that they're talking bollocks? A first-person video of the entire two hours? Seems unlikely the paps would've recorded everything... if they released snippets would you trust that was the entire story or would you suspect they withheld the incriminating bits? What if one person does indeed have the entire two hour period on film... would you believe it? That it was authentic and hadn't been altered in any way, or that they'd turned away at important moments? Would you then be satisfied? Or... would you then demand the same from every pap who was there as maybe someone else did something when this one wasn't looking. Essentially, I believe it would be completely impossible to provide footage that would make you have a rethink and say "you're right, H&M are clearly talking bollocks!" so what would be the point in trying... it would make far more sense for H&M to release footage of the 'near-catastrophic chase' as just one person filming the paparazzi nearly causing a catastrophe - or even just driving dangerously - would vindicate them. As would the police agreeing with them. Or the mayor. Or their own taxi driver. Don't you think it's a bit weird no public footage has appeared? That out of all the millions of people in New York, nobody grabbed their phone and filmed anything during the entire TWO HOUR 'near-catastrophic car chase'? of course, we know someone does have some footage as we see Harry filming - any idea why hasn't he released anything...???

Peverellshire · 19/05/2023 05:14

Why would their security team allow them to get into an unvetted taxi where they were more vulnerable & so visible? He won’t be trained in defensive driving, etc. All v odd.

Peverellshire · 19/05/2023 05:17

ohnonowwhat · 19/05/2023 04:43

(I think the same when you see them snapping pics outside police vans arriving at court with high profile defendants/criminals - has anyone ever actually got a pic of anyone in a police van - I've never seen one. You usually get the defendant being led out with a jacket or towel over their face!)

But in those cases that might be their chance to get a picture before the face is covered and they're hurried off, but it seldom works so we don't see them. But in this case it's like the suspect doing a full press conference and posing for 20 minutes on the red carpet, why then would they feel the need to get blurry pictures in the back of a vehicle with blacked out windows as well?! None of it makes any sense... they say they were trying to disguise where they were staying but surely the best tactic would be pulling into a 'celeb' hotel that the paps would believe they might use, and that was also well practised at moving people about without being spotted in case they didn't fool them. Why on Earth get into a regular taxi? And out of a vehicle with blacked out windows and a specially trained driver into one without blacked out windows and a driver who very likely had absolutely zero training in evading the paparazzi? All very odd...

Yes, just saw your post after saying similar in mine.

IF contrived/pre-mediated to a degree, for any reason, would this be likely uncovered in time?

Haywirecity · 19/05/2023 05:37

I'd love to see the footage because I do believe it's a lot worse than Backgrid are making out.
But, logically, if I were Backgrid, why would I? What's in it for me? Why would I turn it over for free, when I could sell it? I mean Harry sells everything, so he'll understand that everything has a price.

AutumnCrow · 19/05/2023 05:44

Peverellshire · 19/05/2023 05:14

Why would their security team allow them to get into an unvetted taxi where they were more vulnerable & so visible? He won’t be trained in defensive driving, etc. All v odd.

It was a stupid idea that didn’t work because it was a stupid idea.

Haywirecity · 19/05/2023 05:46

Peverellshire · 19/05/2023 03:47

A yellow taxi they just flagged down & squeezed into the back seat? Really?

I'm sort of on Harry and Meghan's side in this. I do think there was a chase of sorts and a haranguing of them by the paps. It's all so unedifying and unnecessary.
But this is weird, isn't it? Why would they squeeze into a cab with clear windows, low down and takes just one security guy, when they could be in a big, blacked out secure suv with several security men? The only thing it achieved was to give the paps easier access and better photos of them. If that wasn't part of the plan, and I don't think it was, their security detail stinks. And the security unit consist of ex secret service men. It makes you wonder about their training and if they are equally incompetent around the president?

Peverellshire · 19/05/2023 05:54

Haywirecity · 19/05/2023 05:46

I'm sort of on Harry and Meghan's side in this. I do think there was a chase of sorts and a haranguing of them by the paps. It's all so unedifying and unnecessary.
But this is weird, isn't it? Why would they squeeze into a cab with clear windows, low down and takes just one security guy, when they could be in a big, blacked out secure suv with several security men? The only thing it achieved was to give the paps easier access and better photos of them. If that wasn't part of the plan, and I don't think it was, their security detail stinks. And the security unit consist of ex secret service men. It makes you wonder about their training and if they are equally incompetent around the president?

Show quote history

No expert but Meghan’s no fool & obviously it’s astonishingly ill advised as it makes them very vulnerable. It makes the security team look utterly incompetent, there had to be another way? Who made the decision I wonder. Anyone close is carefully vetted.

It’s timing makes me a little uneasy. A cynic might say it could serve them. No doubt more facts will emerge in time.

Mummyoflittledragon · 19/05/2023 06:11

On another thread, a poster pointed out it would have been better to stay in a hotel to avoid this from happening as the press were trying to ascertain where they were staying. I also don’t understand why there was a need to chase them to get grainy photos if that’s all it was so there is a possibility it was just to find out their location.

And no, I don’t need to see the photos op. It’s not useful for this incident or others in the future. If no one bought them, they’d stop.

@Mytattooisbiggerthanyours
Have Netflix deffo bought the rights to the pics or was that speculation?

Mummyoflittledragon · 19/05/2023 06:14

Peverellshire · 19/05/2023 05:54

No expert but Meghan’s no fool & obviously it’s astonishingly ill advised as it makes them very vulnerable. It makes the security team look utterly incompetent, there had to be another way? Who made the decision I wonder. Anyone close is carefully vetted.

It’s timing makes me a little uneasy. A cynic might say it could serve them. No doubt more facts will emerge in time.

Show quote history

I thought the police made the call to try to get the press off their scent. I’m surprised their security detail went along with it though. None of it makes any sense. The untrained driver, the type of vehicle and only one security guy.

Peverellshire · 19/05/2023 06:23

Mummyoflittledragon · 19/05/2023 06:14

I thought the police made the call to try to get the press off their scent. I’m surprised their security detail went along with it though. None of it makes any sense. The untrained driver, the type of vehicle and only one security guy.

Show quote history

It’s only a snapshot but Meghan looks relaxed in the taxi, as traffic fairly stationary they’d garner more attention surely in an unvetted cab with clear windows?

Could they have refused? Unless desperate I’d note budge but weather storm in more secure & private SUV!

I thought public had to be vetted in advance?

Peverellshire · 19/05/2023 06:24

‘Not’ budge

Original poster

4plusthehound · 19/05/2023 14:59

behaveasbefitsthesituationwillyas · 18/05/2023 21:52

I wonder if Backgrid haven't released the photos yet because it's incriminating of their paps? After all, driving recklessly with no number plates is criminal.

I suspect that is so.

OP posts:

Original poster

4plusthehound · 19/05/2023 15:02

iamturtle · 19/05/2023 05:03

Are you interested in responding to any of the points raised here? Or offering a logical explanation of their 'catastrophic car chase' as their own explanation doesn't make any sense at all. What exactly is it you're asking for, what would convince you that they're talking bollocks? A first-person video of the entire two hours? Seems unlikely the paps would've recorded everything... if they released snippets would you trust that was the entire story or would you suspect they withheld the incriminating bits? What if one person does indeed have the entire two hour period on film... would you believe it? That it was authentic and hadn't been altered in any way, or that they'd turned away at important moments? Would you then be satisfied? Or... would you then demand the same from every pap who was there as maybe someone else did something when this one wasn't looking. Essentially, I believe it would be completely impossible to provide footage that would make you have a rethink and say "you're right, H&M are clearly talking bollocks!" so what would be the point in trying... it would make far more sense for H&M to release footage of the 'near-catastrophic chase' as just one person filming the paparazzi nearly causing a catastrophe - or even just driving dangerously - would vindicate them. As would the police agreeing with them. Or the mayor. Or their own taxi driver. Don't you think it's a bit weird no public footage has appeared? That out of all the millions of people in New York, nobody grabbed their phone and filmed anything during the entire TWO HOUR 'near-catastrophic car chase'? of course, we know someone does have some footage as we see Harry filming - any idea why hasn't he released anything...???

Show quote history

I=Sorry to have missed this - I got busy!

I think that the footage taken by the paps would be worth a FORTUNE if it proved the Sessex s wrong.

By not releasing any of it I suspect it proves them right.

OP posts:

Original poster

4plusthehound · 19/05/2023 15:06

Haywirecity · 19/05/2023 05:46

I'm sort of on Harry and Meghan's side in this. I do think there was a chase of sorts and a haranguing of them by the paps. It's all so unedifying and unnecessary.
But this is weird, isn't it? Why would they squeeze into a cab with clear windows, low down and takes just one security guy, when they could be in a big, blacked out secure suv with several security men? The only thing it achieved was to give the paps easier access and better photos of them. If that wasn't part of the plan, and I don't think it was, their security detail stinks. And the security unit consist of ex secret service men. It makes you wonder about their training and if they are equally incompetent around the president?

Show quote history

But this is weird, isn't it? Why would they squeeze into a cab with clear windows, low down But this is weird, isn't it? Why would they squeeze into a cab with clear windows, low down

They did this on the advise of NYC police. They thought it would be hard to single out a cab. They tried to lure the paps by have the police car go the opposite way. But they did not factor the paps of bicycles/mopeds.

OP posts:

WheelsUp · 19/05/2023 15:08

Harry was filming too. His video might help prove that his account is accurate. The Mail and Express published pics taken by these paps but took them down after the Sussex statement. Publishing them so that armchair sleuths can watch is just going to inflame things from both sides besides Netflix will have first dibs on Harry's video

I think it's fair for everyone to give material to the police so that they can investigate. Hopefully they will have lots of info so that they can work out what actually happened and if anyone needs yo be charged with dangerous driving /riding a bike.

Original poster

4plusthehound · 19/05/2023 15:09

Peverellshire · 19/05/2023 05:54

No expert but Meghan’s no fool & obviously it’s astonishingly ill advised as it makes them very vulnerable. It makes the security team look utterly incompetent, there had to be another way? Who made the decision I wonder. Anyone close is carefully vetted.

It’s timing makes me a little uneasy. A cynic might say it could serve them. No doubt more facts will emerge in time.

Show quote history

That is why, if Backgrid released to footage, we would know.

I think, if the footage was daming, Piers Morgan, the Daily Mailand The express would have bought it and broadcast it.

The fact that they have not should be screaming at us.

OP posts:

WheelsUp · 19/05/2023 15:15

Surely Backgrid only has the content that they think that publications will buy ? The actual paps would have the random pics that are unsellable but would explain what happened when.

In BG's case, they must be worried about how to emerge from this unscathed. They need to have the good will of the paps so they sell them the photos but want to be considered professional enough that big money clients like the DM buy from them. Being associated with this incident is bad news for them imo.

Original poster

4plusthehound · 19/05/2023 15:33

They released a statement.

They will send paps out to get footage.

They will have viewed it.

If it is not being released I bet it proves the Sussex story.

OP posts:

iamturtle · 19/05/2023 15:37

4plusthehound · 19/05/2023 15:02

I=Sorry to have missed this - I got busy!

I think that the footage taken by the paps would be worth a FORTUNE if it proved the Sessex s wrong.

By not releasing any of it I suspect it proves them right.

Show quote history

But what footage can they release to prove they didn't engage in a car chase? Footage of them being in the bath for the entire two hours in question? Even if they were, why would they have filmed it?! And even if one has, presumably you'd require it from every single pap in the New York area!

So what precisely would it take for you to believe H&M are lying? I'm going to guess it would have to be pretty compelling evidence if the police saying they're lying, the mayor saying they're lying and the cab driver saying they're lying hasn't convinced you! It would be a lot easier for H&M to prove they're not lying, and it would be very much in their interest to do so so why aren't they? They don't need to provide footage of the whole two hours, just of one 'near-catastrophic' incident would be enough. Do you really not find it a bit suspect that they're not and instead are happy for even the Guardian to acknowledge they exaggerated their account? If it were me being called a big fat liar about something I could easily prove, I wouldn't just refuse to and continue to demand the other side prove I'm lying. Although in this case the other side has proved it, repeatedly!

WheresSpring · 19/05/2023 15:42

Harry was pictured recording it from the back of the cab - why doesn’t he release his footage?!