5 Feet of Fury

Julie Burchill joins The Independent

I give it three months…

“It will be both a pleasure and a challenge to write for the Independent,” she said. “I don’t exactly agree with the editorial line of the paper on certain issues, but the differences between us are insignificant compared with what we hold dear – independence of mind, and the importance of free speech.”

Simon Kelner, editor-in-chief of the Independent, said he was a “long-time admirer” of Burchill’s writing, adding: “I very often don’t agree with what she says, but I always read it”.

“She’s a truly original thinker, and fearless in her opinions,” said Kelner. “She’ll enrage some of our readers, for sure, but she’ll engage all of them, and I think she is a hugely significant addition to our stable of columnists.”