Five rather lengthy questions here from Private Eye’s 60th Anniversary quiz.
1. “Who was the first journalist on the moon, arriving ahead of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin (and quickly finding a pub) in the summer of ‘69”
Personal comment – I don’t even understand what this question means!
2. “Which powerful Downing Street figure ‘had to be restrained from coming round to Greek Street and punching (Private Eye’s then editor Richard Ingrams) in the face?’”
3. “’I forgive Private Eye for all its past (and future) liberties and excuses. I have had a love /hate relationship with that mag for so many years. They have given me so much and it may be ‘just’ for them to take from me in equal measure.’ Whose endorsement used by the Eye in an ad reading ‘Mass Murderers Read Private Eye’ in 1983?”
4. In 2000, 40 MPs signed an Early Day Motion congratulating Private Eye on its 1000th edition. In 2011, 25 MPs signed an EDM congratulating us on our 50th Anniversary. What pleasingly round number of MPs signed an EDM to celebrate our 60th this year?”
5. In our very first edition of 2021 we pointed out that a Knighthood for ‘parliamentary and political service’ seemed odd for an MP who had been ‘trousering vast amounts from outside legal work.’ He hit the headlines for the same reason more recently. Who was he?”
I find it a thoroughly depressing read - it exposes lies and shenanigans throughout political & corporate life & the media that the vast majority of us are impotent to do anything about.