Hadley Freeman's last column for the Guardian today :-(

[PauliesWalnuts]

www.theguardian.com/film/2022/nov/25/celebrities-theyre-all-a-bit-weird-hadley-freeman-on-22-years-interviewing-stars

I'll really miss her. But I'll make an effort to read her work in the Sunday Times, even though I'm not a Murdochian.

If it helps, think of it as giving her a wage rather than giving Murdock a paycheck.

Comments have been moderated and they closed comments completely after just over 3 hours so didn’t get to post. But there was no point as it would not have got past the moderator.
However Hadley, if you are reading this, thank you for the Margaret Atwood article. It was a bit mind blowing but I am glad you persisted.

I did wonder how long it would stay open - I got my (vague but terf-ish) one in thankfully.

Lots of nice comments. I'm slightly surprised that the Guardian let her go out on such a positive note. Perhaps they are feeling guilty.

The comments that were there were interesting. One referenced her resignation letter and said to Google this or look at the Private Eye article. It appears it was related to her different views on trans.

On a totally separate note, another comment said that Adrian Chiles is now married to the Guardian editor Katherine Viner. I did wonder why he was getting loads of articles published recently!! (Team Jane!)

She's a brilliant writer and has a sharp and witty edge. She will be a big loss to the Guardian.
They've only got Marina Hyde left among those I'm interested in reading.
Such a shame.

Oh, Adrian Chiles whom Owen Jones was so effusive about? I see.

Just looked up the Private Eye article - she doesn’t mince her words. Shame the Guardian can’t be as balanced as Hadley’s resignation letter.

www.private-eye.co.uk/issue-1585/street-of-shame

I wonder if, looking at the numerous effusive comments from readers, Kath Viner has any regrets about the way she's treated Hadley. She has been one of the Guardian's best, and most well-liked, writers. She has been at the paper for a very long time and, if well looked after, would have probably stayed there for life.

I also wonder if Amelia Gentleman's article yesterday is an admission by Viner that perhaps she's got this wrong. That perhaps Hadley and Suzanne Moore had a point. That perhaps, Owen Jones, despite being a loud and aggressive voice with a large social media following, isn't actually right about everything.

That perhaps the Guardian has made a very bad call and risks ending up on the wrong side of history.

Yet another reason to never read the Guardian. They print utter bollocks on other topics too. Stuff that a moment's inquiry would reveal to be cobblers.

And I used to be a loyal reader.

Another article by Amelia Gentleman today so there is hope - www.theguardian.com/society/2022/nov/25/head-of-trans-children-charity-mermaids-resigns-after-six-years?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

What a gracious article on which to bow out. Well played Hadders! The blurry selfie of her with Michael J Fox is adorable. 😍

I went to the Guardian homepage to look for the article there. It’s nowhere to be seen. I looked in the Culture section on the homepage. It isn’t visible. I clicked on the Culture tab, and there it is. It’s the lead article in the Culture tab but that doesn’t warrant a place on the home page. They’ve fucked her over pettily one last time. That publication is a disgrace.

I have so much admiration for Hadley. It's a lovely farewell article and I'm really looking forward to reading her uncensored writing in the Sunday Times.

I love Hadley's writing, and sad that the Guardian has pushed her to this. Great last article.

'Journalism is about asking questions and refusing to accept whatever the currently accepted narrative is, whether it’s about politics or celebrities. It is not about getting likes on Twitter.'

Hear, hear.

I hope Hadley will now get to write her investigation into Mermaids, as referred to in the Private Eye piece.

Great article. I'm really going to miss her - so few decent writers left now!

I haven't read the Guardian for years, but once someone pointed me in the direction of one of her articles I made the effort to read her.

Am surprised that so many of the commentators appear to be so ignorant about the Guardian and why other writers have left. But then none of the commentators mention any of the women bullied by OJ.

And loved the stern warning at the top of the comments: "Comments on this piece are premoderated to ensure discussion remains on topics raised by the writer." As if the article wasn't about her leaving and why. Although they could be right because as I said so many seemed unaware of why she was leaving.

But on another note (and not wanting to derail this thread like the Brighton one) but isn't it depressing, but on one level totally unshocking. How someone who is such a vaccuous space AC could be given column space is beyond credible. But as so often seems to be the case, it isn't what you are or think, but who you know.

Hadley Freeman becoming Keeper of the Key must have been one of those moments when normal practice was on holiday.

Oh I’ll miss her too. Last reason to read the Guardian- gone! Ok maybe I’ll still read John Crace. OJ - doesn’t across too mature to me…

Hmm do now Murdoch has headhunted Fi & Jane AND Hadley Freeman… harrumph. I might need some new apps..

Sorry to see her go.

if you’re in Team Hadley and haven’t read her epic family history The House Of Glass, put it on your Christmas list. Easily the best book I’ve read this year.

It would be karma of the best kind if her first assignment for the Sunday Times was on Mermaids or Tavistock. Wishing Hadley all the very best and yes, House of Glass is terrific.

I have kept in touch with Hadley since she interviewed me for Unherd about my rape crisis legal challenge. I am hoping she can get some sympathetic coverage in the Times when the court case happens next year.

@IamSarah - how nice to hear that about her. Hope you are keeping well and will keep mumsnet updated as well. And it would be so good if Hadley Freeman could get the times to cover the court case. If they dont then we should all write / email is saying we're recent readers to the Times and want them to do proper reporting!

Thank you @IwantToRetire that sounds like a good plan! The Times has done some excellent features on women's rights and I think Hadley's talent will be a great addition.

I will of course update the other thread with any developments on the court case. Things are moving frustratingly slowly.