Jane Austen is alive: UK cabinet minister gaffe

A UK cabinet minister sparks mirth among the country’s MPs, lauding Jane Austen mistakenly as one of “greatest living authors” in England.

Andrea Leadsom made the gaffe while praising the ‘Pride and Prejudice’ author, who will appear on a UK’s note scheduled to be released in circulation in September, media report said on Thursday.

Praising key female figures, Leadsom said, “I would just add one other great lady to that lovely list, who I am delighted to join in celebrating, and that’s that of Jane Austen, who will feature on the new £10 note, which I think is one of our greatest living authors.”

She fixed the mistake amid MP’s mirth, adding, “Greatest ever authors, and I think it’s fantastic that at last we are starting to recognize – well I think many of us probably wish she were still living – but I absolutely share the sentiment.”

The gaffe comes just a few days after bicentenary of the writer’s death.

AG/AG