I have a feeling they didn't even intend that comic effect -- in BBC-style reporting quotes are used to distance the news outlet from an opinion or to stress that something is reported, a pathetic safety net like the American 'alleged' etc.
I have a feeling they didn't even intend that comic effect -- in BBC-style reporting quotes are used to distance the news outlet from an opinion or to stress that something is reported, a pathetic safety net like the American 'alleged' etc.
Actually, I think “alleged £1K watch” works here even better.