I think what shocks me most is my reaction that none of this really surprises me. There is a huge amount of money and effort that goes into keeping making monarchy the popular institution that it is. I’m not at all surprised to discover that the powerful figures at the BBC could be leaned upon, or would happily help, to collude with that effort so that as little mid as possible sticks to the monarchy, or the political elites in general. Of course there is bribery and corruption. Of course there is! Where there bountiful wealth and influence, and minimal oversight, it would be miraculous if anyone in royal family completely toed the line. If any of them feel a bit uncomfortable, it can all be rationalised away as a “grey area” or in the national interest or whatever.
No one at “the top” has any interest in rocking the boat too much. Lownie is quite correct in saying that these two idiots A and SF have absolutely gone too far. The level of seediness that they appear to have fallen to is something that can’t be overlooked and yes, they should have been cut out a long time ago.
The most damaging thing for the RF from all this is surely that it will be apparent the RF “knew” or certainly looked aside and didn’t ask the questions that ought to have been asked by the RF, questions no one else could ask - and effectively this abrogation of responsibility allowed A and SF to do what they liked whilst trying to coax them into playing a little more in the spirit of the game by offering pay-offs and jobs and whatnot.
When I think back to what the tabloids printed in those days, it’s clear that it wasn’t just the RF who indulged in outrageous behaviour. Will they suffer a consequence from their own part in the corrupt, sordid and greedy activities of the international elite? Unlikely.