BBC Admits Editorial Breach Over McWhirter (Eventually)

From the Telegraph: “BBC apology over suggestion that Norris McWhirter was a fascist” “David Baddiel and Alan Davies discussion about Norris McWhirter on Radio Five Live was in breach of the BBC’s editorial guidelines.”

Cranmer points out that when he and others complained to the BBC about the comments they were informed: “The Alan Davies Show is a live, light hearted, entertainment programme and in this context we are satisfied that no broadcasting guidelines were broken.” One can just imagine the conversation at the BBC: “Bunch of f***ing right-wingers – fob ’em off with any old crap.”

It was only following the intervention of MPs that the BBC looked into the matter further and admitted its guidelines had indeed been breached. Cranmer asks: “Will the BBC now be apologising to those of us whose complaints they summarily dismissed out of hand?” Don’t hold your breath, Your Grace.

(H/t George R)

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25 Responses to BBC Admits Editorial Breach Over McWhirter (Eventually)

  1. matthew rowe says:

    Good! not that the BBC finally caved but that they were not allowed to get away with covering up what is a slander really these 2 w&*kers should be in the dock !
    Baddeal is a nasty failed joke merchant who reminds me of the sort of slimy teacher that always stood too close to the girls in class he always  thought he was cool because he likes cold play and the now show !
    As for Davros ! he used to be mildly funny but sadly the little lost school boy routine is wearing very thin and now his hard left anti state  anti Tory I was a punk you know [mind Eugene don’t spill the champagne ] prattling is showing all across his oh so punchable mush !!!

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    • MarkE says:

      If I cared I would worry about the mental health of someone who claims to be anti state while enjoying a very well paid role within the aparatus of that state.  I suppose suspending of reality to the point of believing the Broadcast Poll Tax is not a tax, and therefore the BBC is not state funded is easy doublethink for some.

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    • Grant says:

      Matthew,
      Yes, Baddiel and Davies are part of the large number of BBC “comics” who aren’t funny any more. I just saw Lenny on an advert for Premier Inns. In a way it is sad. Like a sportsman who keeps on trying after he is over the hill and no-one actually says to him ” Give it up , mate, you are crap “.

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  2. DP111 says:

    The BBC would be quick to apologise if the complaint had come from the RoP, even if it was obviously light-hearted. Even if their was no complaint, the BBC would apologise and gift the potential complainant £30,000 or more.

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  3. cjhartnett says:

    The likes of Davies and Baddiel are just the kind of fey louche bags that have mushroomed as the BBC turned into what we see today!
    Baddiel has never as far as I know made anyone laugh-Syd Little without the charm!
    Davies-file under Steel, Thoams and the other resident Trots that the BBC seem so much to like.
    Mc Whirter-wasn`t he murdered by their chums in the IRA then?…such courage, such brio from these two turds…
    Thank God Danny Baker is back!

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    • Grant says:

      cj,
      “fey louche bag”.  Superb, or did you mean “douchebag ”  ?

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      • cjhartnett says:

        No typos Grant!
        Like the BBC I never get it wrong…I have learned all my lessons and moved on, drawn a line etc !
        Now sewing sequins on a consignment of thongs that Evan and friends have ordered for Eid…Balsall Heath Mosque I understand.
        I believe it sincerely ,so it is as I have written!

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  4. jack.savage1950 says:

    He actually was a fascist,though, was he not? He always sounded like one?

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    • Grant says:

      jack,
      I would be interested in your evidence for that, but suspect we shall never hear from you again !

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  5. Grant says:

    That should read “Lenny Henry ”  !

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    • cjhartnett says:

      There`s only one Lenny since the death of that lion with a mans arm up his arse.
      Lenny Henry might try that if he wants to get a laugh this late in the autumn of what passed for a career!
      Could only be funnier than his Othello/ballast for Dawn French/whatever hell role  the BBC can rustle up for him!
      Couldn`t he be our Peace Envoy to Jamaicas warring gangs…at least he`d create the silence we might need to eavesdrop!

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      • flexdream says:

        Lenny Henry was actually very good as Othello in my opinion, but I never found him funny even in his ‘heyday’.

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        • cjhartnett says:

          Wouldn`t doubt it-just a cheap jibe.
          If only he`d stuck to acting Shakespeare-as a “Head Teacher”, he truly WAS comedy gold!

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  6. John Horne Tooke says:

    The BBC has apologised. What about Davies and Baddiel, have they?

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  7. Dez says:

    “The Freedom Association is a non-partisan, libertarian pressure group dedicated to fighting for individual liberty and freedom of expression. As such, we seek to challenge the erosion of civil liberties and we campaign in support of freedom for the individual and free speech

    …’Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear‘ – George Orwell”

    http://www.tfa.net/

    Record breaking hypocrisy.

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    • Grant says:

      Dez,
      Unlike the BBC , this website practises Orwell’s definition of freedom and even allows  Commies like you to post here   😀

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    • D B says:

      “the BBC was in breach of its editorial guidelines in respect of the discussion”

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    • matthew rowe says:

      “Record breaking hypocrisy”
      Now that’s a funny signature dezzie ?  never mind on here we have the freedom to call our selves silly things !.

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  8. Idiotboy says:

    Apologies just don’t do it for me.

    Smear some poor unfortunate, apologise, move on, do it again.

    There has to be additional sanctions which can be applied at a level which will cause the management of the corporation to think seriously about the consequences of allowing half-wits like Baddiel and Davies to blunder unfettered through the BBC charter.

    I am thinking lamp posts and ropes for starters.

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    • Grant says:

      And a cowards’ cop out, when the victim is dead.
      Norris Macwhirter had a distinguished military record in WW2, unlike scum like Baddiel and Davies.

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      • Buggy says:

        Oh cripes, Grant. Now Dez will be along to tell you that Baddiel and Davies had no opportunity to have a distinguished record in WW2 since they weren’t born for another 20-odd years.

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        • Grant says:

          Buggy,
          oops, I forgot about Dezzie.
          Thank God Baddiel and Davies weren’t around during WW2. We would all be speaking German now.

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          • Grant says:

            PS  Baddiel , especially, should be respectful of anyone who fought the Fascists.

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            • Buggy says:

              Isn’t it Baddiel who tells the story of how his forebears, en route to America from Europe, got off the boat to stretch their legs when it stopped in Swansea and then watched it sail off again without them ?
              Thanks for nothing, ancestral Baddiels ! 🙁

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