News / Society

‘Panorama’ reported vital items of PPE were left out of UK’s stockpile

Monday, 04 May 2020 6:26 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 04 May 2020 6:26 AM ]

BBC File Photo.

The BBC rejects the UK government’s criticism of a Panorama investigation which brought to light the omission of vital items of personal protective equipment (PPE) from Britain’s stockpile set up in 2009.

Oliver Dowden, the culture secretary, lodged a formal complaint to the BBC director general, Tony Hall, claiming the corporation risked losing the public’s confidence.

Several allegations followed the airing last week of an episode of the BBC’s Panorama program, including that a number of NHS workers who were interviewed were said to be members or supporters of the Labour Party.

In the letter, published in part in the Mail on Sunday, Dowden wrote, “I am sure you will agree that it is vital that public confidence is maintained in the BBC’s long-standing reputation for fair and balanced reporting, and that any damage to that would be deeply concerning.”

Dowden said he was sure Lord Hall “will agree that at a time of heightened risk of misinformation and disinformation, it is more important than ever that the BBC upholds the values and standards we all expect”.

“The public should be able to turn to the BBC for transparent, unimpeachable, reliable news.”

Doctors warn UK protective equipment shortages worsening

One third of physicians in high-risk settings do not have access to long-sleeved gowns or full-face visors in the UK, doctors warn.

The BBC, however, said it stood by the program, telling The Guardian it would respond to Dowden’s letter in due course.

A spokesperson referred to a statement earlier this week, which said the sources for its PPE report were not the doctors who appeared on the show.

The spokesperson also reasserted comments made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier this week when he said, “I’m not going to minimize the logistical problems we’ve faced in getting the right protective gear to the right people in the right place, both in the NHS and care homes.”

There was also support for the BBC from figures including the broadcaster James O’Brien, who said of Dowden’s letter, “I read this twice and can’t see a single reference to, never mind refutation of, the testimony given by the medics on the program. It’s the starkest example yet that the Vote Leave government is trying to make confected tribal allegiance more important than evidence. Again.”

Alan Rusbridger, the principal of Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford, and a former editor of the Guardian, tweeted: “It’s really not the job of the culture secretary to bollock the BBC for what your govt. regards as bias, @OliverDowden Leave that to @Ofcom.”

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