By Tony O’Reilly-
Sarah Ferguson’s latest defence of Phil Schofield in which she attacked the media and all those allegedly judging Phil Schofield was an indirect form of protection of Prince Andrew, her ex-husband, and the controversies surrounding him, analysts have reasonably concluded.
Ferguson(pictured) late last week sought to defend Phil Schofield, who recently admitted an affair with a runner boy, including lying to the press and his family over the affair.
She cited Jeremy Clarkson’s flawed attack on the media during her ill judged criticism of those who had frowned against Schofield’s shameful act which led to his almighty fall from grace.
The Duchess Of York was using her newly established podcast Tea Talks to lecture the media, but without much justification, as she likened the coverage of the scandal to a “huge game of Chinese Whispers” before stating that “we all have failings”.
Her comments had serious failings of its own, in failing to realise the various levels of failings human beings have.
Appearing on the podcast with guest businesswoman Sarah Jane Thomson, Prince Andrew’s ex-wife went on to criticise the “massive bullying to the point of extermination of the soul”.
Fergie said: “I don’t believe that anybody has that right to judge and exterminate a person’s own beliefs.”
Close Relationship
Ferguson has maintained a close relationship with Prince Andrew, and continues to participate in the co-parenting of their children. Ferguson’s criticism is believed to stem from a desire to shield Prince Andrew from negative media attention and to preserve his reputation from further damage, but her decision to openly defend Schofield has been deemed a very poor one.
During an interview with Good Morning America, Ferguson expressed sadness in witnessing the level of scrutiny her ex husband has faced following the Epstein Scandal, describing it as so, so sad, and adding that they have been there for each other.
“He is exceptionally kind, and he is a very, seriously good grandfather. He’s very steadfast for the girls,” she continued, referencing their daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. “We are women that also have had to see the demise of a very strong man, and that has been really difficult to see,” she said.
During in New York City to promote her latest book, the 63-year-old admitted she’s “had a lot of mental problems” that she kept private and manages to hide well.
While her motivations for defending Schofield remain highly questionable , Ferguson does not hide well the likelihood that she has an axe of some kind to grind.
Sarah Ferguson herself has experienced intense media scrutiny and negative portrayal over the years. Her criticism of media exposure is suspected to arise from a sense of injustice and a desire for fair treatment, not only for herself but also for other public figures.
Ferguson has a longstanding advocacy against tabloid culture, and has been an outspoken critic of intrusive and unethical reporting practices, especially by tabloid newspapers. Her criticism is believed to stem from a genuine concern for the impact of sensationalism and invasion of privacy on the individuals targeted by the media.
The media has in the past subjected both Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew to relentless scrutiny and negative coverage, particularly in relation to their relationship, personal lives, and alleged wrongdoings.
Analysing. researcher Joshua Hopwood said: ”Ferguson’s criticism could be seen as a response to the media attacks she and Prince Andrew have endured. It is human nature to seek retribution or vindication in the face of perceived injustice.
”She may be expressing her discontent with the way she perceives the press has treated her and Prince Andrew. What she probably does not realise is how obvious this seems to those of us actually thinking and evaluating her statement.
The Duchess has probably taken this as an opportunity to vent her anger and disappointment at the press. She could genuinely consider the attacks against Schofield as unfair and hypocritical because as she says, we all have faults.
However, that attack also appears to reveal her subconscious issues with the press’
”Ferguson’s personal opinion is not tantamount to her condoning or supporting any improper conduct attributed to him. Ferguson is entitled to her own perspectives and views, separate from her ties to Prince Andrew.
But the potential overlap between personal loyalty and public statements definitely seems to have been laid bare in her public defence of Phil Schofield”.