The Spectator opinion piece, by Andrew Gilligan, on UK Politics, 14 November 2026
We do not republish articles from The Spectator. Our findings are below, each quoting the words it is about. Read the full article on the outlet's own site.
Read the original article on spectator.com (opens in a new tab)Andrew Gilligan argues against Asif Aziz's plan for a 652-room budget hotel on Smith Square in Westminster, and urges readers to object to his planning appeal. He attributes the occupancy figures to the planning documents. He sets the accusations over Covid rent demands and pub closures beside Aziz's own denial and his lawyers' response.
Opinion piece: read for false claims of fact and for fairness to the people it names, not for its opinions.
“although his lawyers insist that he is not personally responsible for closing down any pubs”
The column reports the accusation about pub closures as an accusation, then gives Aziz's lawyers' denial in the same sentence.
“According to the planning documents, up to 1,332 people a night will stay there”
The occupancy figure is tied to its source, the planning documents, so the reader can see where it comes from.
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