Complaint
A listener objected to remarks about Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, claiming the presenter had falsely described him as being βpartly responsibleβ for riots in Southport. Β The ECU considered the evidence on which this claim was based and whether the item met the standards for due accuracy set out in the Editorial Guidelines.
Outcome
In an interview, the presenter had asked the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Secretary whether video material of the kind posted by Mr Yaxley-Lennon could be regarded as an incitement to racial or religious hatred. Β Mr Yaxley-Lennon had alleged the person suspected of killing three young girls was an immigrant to the UK. Β In addition he shared a video that speculated that the suspect was a Muslim, something for which there was no evidence, but which was thought to have helped spread alarm. Β In the ECUβs view this was sufficient to justify the presenterβs line of questioning.
Not Upheld