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BBC Panorama's VIP paedophile investigation draws 1.9 million viewers BBC Panorama's VIP paedophile investigation draws 1.9 million viewers
(about 2 hours later)
Panorama’s controversial investigation into allegations of a Westminster-based paedophile ring attracted 1.9 million viewers on Tuesday night.Panorama’s controversial investigation into allegations of a Westminster-based paedophile ring attracted 1.9 million viewers on Tuesday night.
The figure made the show the most-watched on the UK’s terrestrial channels, ahead of the 1 million tuning into Channel 4’s My Transgender Kid, according to unofficial overnight figures.The figure made the show the most-watched on the UK’s terrestrial channels, ahead of the 1 million tuning into Channel 4’s My Transgender Kid, according to unofficial overnight figures.
Panorama: The VIP Paedophile Ring included interviews with key witnesses who who have said they were abused by prominent politicians, including former home secretary Leon Brittan, over a period spanning decades.Panorama: The VIP Paedophile Ring included interviews with key witnesses who who have said they were abused by prominent politicians, including former home secretary Leon Brittan, over a period spanning decades.
Related: Police chiefs say BBC inquiry could deter abuse victims from speaking outRelated: Police chiefs say BBC inquiry could deter abuse victims from speaking out
The show cast doubt on the reliability of some of those claims, including the revelation that one of the witnesses had named individuals after campaigners suggested particular figures and showed him photographs.The show cast doubt on the reliability of some of those claims, including the revelation that one of the witnesses had named individuals after campaigners suggested particular figures and showed him photographs.
The Metropolitan police issued a strongly worded statement following the broadcast, saying it “had serious concerns about the impact of this programme on its investigation into allegations of child sex abuse and homicide”. The Metropolitan police issued a strongly worded statement before the broadcast, saying it “had serious concerns about the impact of this programme on its investigation into allegations of child sex abuse and homicide”.
Though the show started strongly for the channel, with 2.9m viewers staying tuned in following the 10 O’clock News, a large number failed to stay tuned in through to the end and it finished with under 1.6 million.Though the show started strongly for the channel, with 2.9m viewers staying tuned in following the 10 O’clock News, a large number failed to stay tuned in through to the end and it finished with under 1.6 million.
The audience is also significantly lower than the 2.3 million viewers the show was attracting on average last year.The audience is also significantly lower than the 2.3 million viewers the show was attracting on average last year.
The BBC said in a statement. “This is important and fair investigative journalism that rightly asks legitimate questions about the conduct of the police, journalists, campaigners, and politicians in handling historic allegations of child abuse.
“We were aware the Met Police has concerns about this Panorama going ahead but as they recognise there is public interest in reporting on their investigations. Whilst we take their statement seriously the Met Police had not seen the programme before issuing it - people can draw their own conclusions now it has been broadcast.”