Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ accepts the Trust ruling that there were serious breaches in its editorial procedures in the preparation of the Panorama programme Primark – On The Rack.

Two previous internal Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ reports similarly concluded that one 45-second sequence could not be authenticated. We accept that because of this the sequence should not have been broadcast.

Because the complaints process has taken some time to resolve, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has already made significant progress in tightening its procedures when it comes to filming in undercover situations.

As a result of the ruling, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ will ensure that all staff involved in the making of the programme – and more generally staff involved in investigative reporting – understand their responsibilities when it comes to authenticating evidence.

These additional safeguards should ensure that the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ maintains the standards our audiences expect but should also protect our journalists against claims which may be false but which are impossible authoritatively to disprove.

We note that the Trust supported the central thrust of the programme, which was that there was clear evidence that work was being outsourced from factories in India in contravention of Primark's own ethical trading principles.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Press Office