Complaint
The programme included an interview with Andrew Marr about his book βElizabethans: How Modern Britain Was Forgedβ in which he referred to one of its subjects, Jayaben Desai, who was involved in the prolonged strike at Grunwick in 1976.Β The son of the late George Ward, the owner of Grunwick, complained that the discussion repeated statement about Mr Wardβs treatment of his workforce which were in conflict with the findings of the inquiry conducted by Lord Scarman, and for which the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ had apologised when they were broadcast on previous occasions.Β The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔβs editorial standards of due accuracy.
Outcome
As the ECU was presented with no evidence which would have allowed it to discount Lord Scarmanβs conclusions, it accepted that the statements in question would have misled listeners and did not meet the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔβs standards of due accuracy.
Upheld
Further action
The finding was reported to the board of ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio and discussed with the programme-makers concerned.Β The inaccurate material will not be re-broadcast.