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(he was unaware that Harding's mother had died), and was indeed informed by Harding of this shortly afterwards in the interview

If Freeman didn't know Harding's mother had died then how could he have questioned him about it? The Grot 10:26, 2 December 2005 (UTC)[reply]__DTELLIPSISBUTTON__{"threadItem":{"timestamp":"2005-12-02T10:26:00.000Z","author":"The Grot","type":"comment","level":1,"id":"c-The_Grot-2005-12-02T10:26:00.000Z-Removed","replies":["c-Flapdragon-2006-11-08T15:20:00.000Z-The_Grot-2005-12-02T10:26:00.000Z"]}}-->

I see no reason to remove that unless you know that Freeman did know that Harding's mother had died, in which case it should be stated explicitly. There is no reason Freeman couldn't have been asking in general terms. As it is there is a puzzling vagueness about the account -- does anyone have the facts? Flapdragon 15:20, 8 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]__DTELLIPSISBUTTON__{"threadItem":{"timestamp":"2006-11-08T15:20:00.000Z","author":"Flapdragon","type":"comment","level":2,"id":"c-Flapdragon-2006-11-08T15:20:00.000Z-The_Grot-2005-12-02T10:26:00.000Z","replies":[]}}-->

Freeman never referred to GH's mother he actually asked him if he had ever seen or been in the presence of a dead person or words to that effect - GH said "yes" and his voice started to break - , Then Freeman asked if it was someone close or recently I can't remember exactly which - - "yes" was the short reply - although GH continued to speak - his eyes watered a little although he still remained fairly composed although obviously emotional - Freeman then seemed to change the subject and not pursue that issue.

Rrose Selavy -

[user: dmass] Added: 'Freeman appeared to be unaware that Harding was referring to his mother, since later in the interview he asserted that Harding's mother was still alive. Harding contradicted him and Freeman moved quickly on.' The programme was shown again on BBC Four on 6th September 2007. Freeman appeared to be surprised by Harding's reaction to the question about being in the presence of a dead person and did not press him as to who he was referring to. A few minutes later in the interview, in another context, Freeman asserted in passing that Harding's mother was still alive. Harding bluntly contradicted him and Freeman moved on. Of course, it's possible that Freeman was being disingenuous, but, given that he appears disconcerted by Harding's reaction to the original question and then to the information that his mother was dead, this seems unlikely.

He was also adept at puncturing bureaucratic inanities. Asked on a US visa application "Do you intend to undermine the Constitution of the United States of America" he replied "Sole purpose of visit", a reply that many people in Britain felt was the only sensible reply to a very silly question. He was nearly denied a visa.

I think we need some reliable source for this. It's totally credible, but as is the way with such anecdotes, I see the same story is told of everyone from Oscar Wilde to Evelyn Waugh to Michael Foot to Peter Ustinov to (mistaking the name?) W S Gilbert. Flapdragon (talk) 00:51, 24 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]__DTELLIPSISBUTTON__{"threadItem":{"timestamp":"2008-01-24T00:51:00.000Z","author":"Flapdragon","type":"comment","level":1,"id":"c-Flapdragon-2008-01-24T00:51:00.000Z-\"Sole_purpose_of_visit\"","replies":["c-Unknown_Unknowns-2008-01-25T08:55:00.000Z-Flapdragon-2008-01-24T00:51:00.000Z"]}}-->

I've added a fact tag - if nobody provides a source for the quote within the next month or so then I think it's reasonable to remove it. Unknown Unknowns (talk) 08:55, 25 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]__DTELLIPSISBUTTON__{"threadItem":{"timestamp":"2008-01-25T08:55:00.000Z","author":"Unknown Unknowns","type":"comment","level":2,"id":"c-Unknown_Unknowns-2008-01-25T08:55:00.000Z-Flapdragon-2008-01-24T00:51:00.000Z","replies":["c-Unknown_Unknowns-2008-02-28T13:16:00.000Z-Unknown_Unknowns-2008-01-25T08:55:00.000Z"]}}-->

Nobody has provided a citation so I'll remove this material. Unknown Unknowns (talk) —Preceding comment was added at 13:16, 28 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]__DTELLIPSISBUTTON__{"threadItem":{"timestamp":"2008-02-28T13:16:00.000Z","author":"Unknown Unknowns","type":"comment","level":3,"id":"c-Unknown_Unknowns-2008-02-28T13:16:00.000Z-Unknown_Unknowns-2008-01-25T08:55:00.000Z","replies":[]}}-->

The book Gilber Harding a candid portrayal supports that he said this http://books.google.com/books?ei=E8yZTPvKJ4ez4Aa7qNScAQ&ct=result&id=j5sPAAAAMAAJ&dq=gilbert+harding+sole+purpose&q=overthrow#search_anchor http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gilbert-Harding-Portrayal-Wallace-Reyburn/dp/0207957835 Xstopher (talk) 09:42, 22 September 2010 (UTC)[reply]__DTELLIPSISBUTTON__{"threadItem":{"timestamp":"2010-09-22T09:42:00.000Z","author":"Xstopher","type":"comment","level":1,"id":"c-Xstopher-2010-09-22T09:42:00.000Z-\"Sole_purpose_of_visit\"","replies":[]}}-->