I think we need a "Queen Truth and Reconciliation Commission'.
In May of 1982 I was an impressionable 12-year old. I was a child with much to learn.
As I entered my 6th decade I knew that there were matters in my past that I would one day have to address. No matter how I tried to confine those matters to the mists of history, I knew that at some stage they could and, indeed, would be resurrected and that I would have to face them.
And so I do now. On the 29th of May 1982, I went to watch Queen play live at Elland Road. I went with a friend who was, and who remains, a fan. I didn't pay for my ticket. As I've said, I was but 12 years old.
As I formulated this confession in my mind this morning, I had thought of deflection and considered a claim that I was only there to watch Julian Cope. But that would have been a lie.
All I can do is ask for clemency from the commission and trust that the matters I've raised in mitigation fall favourably upon them.
