(AP Photo)
Posted on 01/29/2004 3:25:58 PM PST by ChadGore
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Second BBC Exec Resigns Over Iraq Story
Second BBC Executive Resigns, Shaken Broadcaster Apologizes Over Report on Iraq Intelligence
The Associated Press
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LONDON Jan. 29 — The chief of the BBC stepped down Thursday as the badly rattled broadcaster struggled to respond to harsh criticism from a judge who repudiated its report that the government "sexed up" intelligence on Iraq. The resignation of British Broadcasting Corp. director-general Greg Dyke stunned BBC employees, and hundreds of them rallied outside the network's offices around Britain to show their support for him. One local BBC radio station briefly went off the air in protest. The BBC apologized for errors it made in the story, which was at the center of a furious, monthslong battle with the government. Dyke resigned after an emergency meeting of the board of governors. Board chairman Gavyn Davies quit Wednesday, hours after the judge, Lord Hutton, announced his findings. The BBC, whose extensive news and entertainment programming gives it a uniquely powerful place in British life, was shaken by Hutton's assessment Wednesday that its report was "unfounded" and its editorial procedures were "defective." The senior appeals judge led an inquiry into the suicide in July of David Kelly, a government weapons adviser who was the source of BBC radio correspondent Andrew Gilligan's report that the government exaggerated evidence on Iraqi weapons and included a claim they knew was probably false in a September 2002 dossier summing up intelligence for the public. Hutton almost completely exonerated the government, saying it had neither mistreated Kelly nor knowingly "sexed up" the dossier and calling the Gilligan report's claims "unfounded." He said the allegations were "very grave" and faulted BBC editors for failing to review what Gilligan was going to say before he went on the air with the first, and strongest, version of his story. The reporter broadcast that version without a script, answering an anchor's questions extemporaneously. The BBC later faulted him for "loose use of language."
Richard Ryder, appointed as a temporary replacement for Davies, noted that Hutton had "highlighted serious defects in the corporation's processes and procedures." "On behalf of the BBC, I have no hesitation in apologizing unreservedly for our errors and to the individuals whose reputations were affected by them," he said, adding that the broadcaster began putting reforms in place before the judge's ruling. Prime Minister Tony Blair accepted the BBC's apology which he had long demanded and said it was time for all involved in the bitter row to move on. "This for me has always been a very simple matter of an accusation that was a very serious one that was made," he said. "It has now been withdrawn, that is all I ever wanted." Ryder said Mark Byford, the deputy director general, would stand in for Dyke until a permanent replacement was chosen. The job, director general and editor-in-chief, includes responsibility for the entire BBC, not just its news divisions. The BBC has declined to say whether it will take action against Gilligan. Hundreds of BBC workers left their desks to rally outside the broadcaster's TV Center in London, shouting their support for Dyke and waving signs that said "Bring Back Greg," "You've Been Brilliant," and "Inspired Leadership." Employees briefly left work to show their support at BBC offices around Britain, and the BBC radio station in Somerset Sound, southwestern England, went off the air for a minute in protest. "The BBC has already said that they are sorry," said Anne Gilchrist, head of entertainment for the CBBC children's television station, who was rallying outside the TV Center. Dyke "made the organization its most creative. For him to be sacrificed is outrageous."
Dyke said he hoped his departure would allow the broadcaster to move past a difficult period. "I think my going is very important in preserving the BBC's editorial independence," he said in announcing his resignation. Later, he said he didn't fully accept the judge's criticism. Others have rejected Hutton's conclusions more explicitly. "Whitewash?" The Independent newspaper suggested in its main headline. "Justice?" asked the Daily Mail tabloid. Many had expected the judge who was appointed by Blair to criticize the prime minister and his officials for alleged exaggeration in the dossier and confirming Kelly's name to journalists trying to identify Gilligan's source. The scientist's widow has said he felt betrayed when his Ministry of Defense superiors identified him. He killed himself days after being thrust into the spotlight. Lord Rees-Mogg, former vice-chairman of the BBC board, said he had no confidence in Hutton's verdict. "His evidence does not support his conclusions and ... it is, put quite simply, a bad bit of work," he said. |
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
That's an amazing line.
ROFL so very true. Where are all the retractions from the varried news services who quoted the BBC on this story?
Where's the retraction from the NYT ?
Hutton almost completely exonerated the government, saying it had neither mistreated Kelly nor knowingly "sexed up" the dossier and calling the Gilligan report's claims "unfounded."
Each thread I come across about this story I will point out: Gilligan is still there. Gilligan is a reporter who was in Iraq during the war and filed numerous FALSE stories about our troops, including claiming we were not at the airport when we were.
Until the BBC fires him their apology is worse than worthless.
I respectfully disagree. The false witness of this filthy lying leftist piece of pond scum cost the life of a decent and honorable man.
The BBC should put a loaded revolver on Gilligan's desk and tell him to apologise in person to the man whom he so grievously wronged.
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