The Salt Path: Penguin says it did 'all necessary due diligence'

The Salt Path: Penguin says it did 'all necessary due diligence'

Entertainment reporter Steven McIntosh reported on the controversy surrounding the best-selling non-fiction book “The Salt Path” by English author Raynor Winn, published by Penguin Michael Joseph. The publishing house defended its due diligence process, stating that it had a contract with Winn regarding factual accuracy before releasing the book. This comes after claims made in a recent Observer investigation suggested that Winn may have fabricated or misrepresented certain events in the story.

The book follows the journey of a couple who decide to walk the 630-mile South West Coast Path after facing personal challenges, including the loss of their home. The Observer’s article raised questions about the accuracy of the couple’s financial situation leading up to their decision to embark on the journey. It alleged that Winn had defrauded her employer of £64,000, leading to the loss of their home when a loan to repay the stolen money was called in.

In response to the claims, Winn described the Observer’s article as “highly misleading” and stated that the book reflects the true story of their transformative journey. Despite the controversy, “The Salt Path” has garnered significant success, with over two million copies sold since its release in 2018. The book was also adapted into a film starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, which has generated around $16 million at the global box office.

The film producers affirmed that they conducted thorough due diligence before acquiring the book for adaptation and were not aware of any claims against the story at the time. However, following the publication of the Observer’s article and the ensuing questions raised about the accuracy of events depicted in the book, the PSPA charity, which supports individuals with CBD, decided to sever ties with the Winn family. Additionally, Winn has withdrawn from an upcoming tour in light of the ongoing legal process surrounding the allegations

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More