[sdwa]

I don't think that's the case. Lede is at best an alternative spelling, according to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_paragraph#Spelling

and FWIW, I'm British and I've never seen it spelt lede outside of this forum. I guess it's an American thing, and even then, it's pretty wrong.

[GordonS]

FWIW, I'm British and I've only ever seen it spelt 'lead' by Americans on this forum :)

[benj111]

I'm British and I'd spell it as lede, that's how I've predominantly seen it spelt also.

So as clear as mud then!