BBC apologises over Burnley shot officer 'Mr Plod' error (From Lancashire Telegraph)

BBC apologises over Burnley shot officer 'Mr Plod' error

8:30am Friday 19th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(6)

THE BBC has apologised after using a picture of shot Burnley PC Ian Terry captioned ‘Mr Plod’ on a national news programme.

During an item on the impact of public sector spending cuts, The BBC News at Six used a library photograph of PC Terry - who was shot dead by a colleague during a training exercise.

Using a ‘Happy Families’ playing cards theme, the image of PC Terry with the words ‘Mr Plod’ was supposed to represent the police force.

It sparked a number of complaints to the corporation, including a call from police, and PC Terry's family, of the Lanehead area of Burnley, were left 'extremely upset'.

For the 10 o'clock news, the graphic was changed to an anonymous image of an officer.

The error comes as the inquest into the death of 32-year-old PC Terry, a father-of-two, draws to a close.

It is expected that the jury will start its deliberations this afternoon ((FRI)).

PC Terry was shot dead by a colleague during a firearms training exercise at a disused warehouse on June 9, 2008.

A spokesman PC Terry's force, Greater Manchester Police, said: "Once the BBC were aware of the mistake they immediately removed the photo from the website and have apologised to the family and to the Coroner, Nigel Meadows.

"The family were extremely upset that Ian's photo was used in this way and have asked that no other media outlet uses it."

Coroner Nigel Meadows demanded a BBC executive attend the inquest to personally apologise to PC Terry's family. But none was able to make the 250 mile trip to Manchester claiming there was 'difficulty' in coming up from London.

Mr Meadows told the Manchester hearing: “I immediately contacted the editor to raise my concerns.”

Family barrister Winston Hunter QC told Mr Meadows: 'The family are content and grateful for the steps you took last night.'

Chris Burrows, chairman of the Greater Manchester Police Federation said: “We received a number of complaints immediately.

“The timing probably couldn’t be any worse. I’m appalled there’s no system to prevent these mistakes happening. We will be seeking an apology and assurances from the BBC.”

Fred Wright, from Walton Lane, Nelson, was watching the BBC news at home and branded the bulletin ‘highly irresponsible’.

The 48-year-old said: “Immediately I thought ‘why on earth have they used a picture of that lad?'.

“To take a ‘happy families’ theme and caption it ‘Mr Plod’ using a picture of this poor lad was particularly offensive.

“I just hope his wife and family weren’t watching. I didn’t know the lad, but recognised him instantly.

“Surely it’s not too difficult to find an anonymous picture of a policeman?”

Mr Wright rang the BBC complaints line straight away but it was engaged throughout the half-hour news programme.

A spokesman for the BBC told the Lancashire Telegraph: “The BBC News at Six mistakenly used an image of the late PC Ian Terry in an item on Wednesday's programme.

“The BBC apologises unreservedly for the error and for any distress caused to PC Terry's family and colleagues. As soon as the error was realised immediate steps were taken to ensure the image was not broadcast again.”

James Stephenson, the editor of the BBC News at Six and Ten, also apologised via his blog on the BBC’s website.

He explained: “In tonight's BBC News at Six we mistakenly used an image of the late PC Ian Terry.

“His photograph was used in a report looking at the impact of unemployment on different sectors of the economy.

“The intention was to use images of individuals which are cleared for this kind of use. Instead an image of Pc Terry was used. We have taken steps to ensure the error is not repeated.

“I would like to apologise unreservedly for the mistake and for any distress caused to PC Terry's family, friends and colleagues.”

Viewers had mixed responses to the editor’s blog.