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Pauline made an effort to assist her injured friend Diane in getting back to the flat located just across the street, where she lived with her parents and brother Alan. Diane, still in shock, expressed disbelief, saying, “I don’t believe it. She stabbed me.” Although the distance to the flat was short, Pauline noticed Diane weakening before they even reached the school gate. With the support of two other girls, Pauline managed to get Diane across the road, but by the time they arrived at the flat’s entrance, Diane collapsed completely.
Jim, Diane’s father, was alerted by another girl knocking urgently on their door. He rushed down to his daughter and carried her upstairs to try and save her. Desperately, he attempted to revive Diane while his wife Margaret and 15-year-old son Alan watched in distress. Pauline recalled how Jim administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, despite protests from Pauline herself. “I’m shouting, ‘you’re not doing it right,'” she said. Pauline could hear Diane gurgling and noticed blood coming from her mouth, a terrifying moment etched in her memory.
The tragedy that unfolded in the Watsons’ home spurred Margaret into a lifelong fight against the media’s handling of her children’s story. Struggling with the loss of her children, Margaret vowed to hold the press accountable for the false and hurtful stories published about Diane. She insisted on a public apology from The Herald and Marie Claire for what she described as malicious lies. Margaret’s efforts brought her into contact with political figures, members of the peerage, and even the Hacked Off campaign led by actor Hugh Grant. Her campaign gained significant attention, culminating in her powerful testimony at the Leveson Inquiry into press ethics in 2011. Speaking at the inquiry, Margaret declared: “Just because a person’s died, their reputation shouldn’t die with them. It shouldn’t be besmirched at the will of some sick journalist.”
During our conversation, Margaret’s husband, Andy Thomson, sat beside her on the sofa. It was revealing to learn that Andy had been Alan’s best friend. The couple found comfort in each other amidst the grief and have now been married for 34 years. Their young grandson brings joy into their lives. Andy reflected on their shared history: “We were kids and I got what she was going through because I was so close to Alan. And then obviously when Alan passed away, it just drew the two of us even closer. And we’re 34 years together, we’re still going strong and always have been. And always will be.” Pauline added poignantly, “No one gives you a book on how to cope with trauma when you’re a teenager. We were left to cope, and we helped each other. Our life hasn’t been all trauma – not at all. But it has been a part of it.” She emphasized the importance of remembering Diane and Alan as real children rather than just names in the media, saying, “For people to have a better understanding of them as kids – because that’s what they were, they were kids. Just normal teenagers who should still be here.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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