Will revamped Independent go free?

CITY AM reports today that the Independent will hand out 3m free issues of its revamped newspaper, under new owner Alexander Lebedev, in marginal constituencies in the run-up to the general election.
It says: "The limited edition election editions will promote the newspaper’s independent stance by refusing to back any political party. It will also feature a four page cover wrap, which will promote the new-look paper.
"The firm will distribute 300,000 free papers each day for 10 days from tomorrow. Approximately 60,000 copies a day will be handed out and posted in London.
"The news will heighten speculation that Lebedev intends to make the newspaper permanently free in the coming months. He dropped the cover price for the Evening Standard in a move that has been seen as a success for the struggling newspaper."