Imelda Marcos may have gone missing from the Philippines but she could not escape the attentions of the weekly Stratford-upon-Avon Herald.
The widow of deposed Philipine dictator Ferdinand Marcos was spotted in the queue outside Shakespeare’s birthplace by someone who promptly tipped off the Herald.
According to news editor Dale le Vack, she was happy to chat to trainee reporter Clare Semke and pose for a picture by chief photographer Mike Williamson.
“We then looked on the internet and found that she was wanted by the National Bureau of Investigations in the Philippines,” said le Vack. “She is facing corruption charges involving $5m and is on bail. She was allowed to leave the country but has not returned within her bail terms.”
Marcos, who is famous for her huge collection of shoes and love of shopping, told the Herald she was on a sentimental journey to Stratford because she had visited Shakespeare’s birthplace on her honeymoon 50 years ago.
She also said she had been to see her son at Oxford University. She told the paper: “Stratford has changed a lot for the better as far as I can see. I am happy to be here.”
The Herald has sent its picture to papers in the Philippines, where it has been reported that the country’s Supreme Court is asking the National Bureau of Investigations to track Marcos down. Perhaps it should have asked the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald.
By Jon Slattery
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