I've been and amused and fascinated follower of this unfolding story for a long time. It occurs to me to point out that "there is no new thing under the Sun". It has all happened before (106 years ago, to be precise).
Google: "The
Dreadnought Hoax", select Wikipedia, read and enjoy. Particularly apt is this snippet from ("Zanzibar Hoax at Cambridge"):
...The Mayor wanted the student sent down but was persuaded by the Vice-Chancellor that this would damage his reputation further.[1][2]...
Ring any bells ?
And "Abyssinian Hoax on the
Dreadnought", might interest certain Flag Officers of the Royal Navy (and RNR !) - not to mention the Honours Committee and a Royal Personage.
Like G-KEST (#3109), 76 years ago, I swore to ".....defend his Majesty, his heirs and successors, in person, Crown and
dignity....." (which some might think impugned by this association).
'Nuff said.
Danny42C.