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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Geldof challenges BBC aid claim | Geldof challenges BBC aid claim |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Bob Geldof has challenged the BBC to substantiate its report that millions raised for famine relief in Ethiopia were diverted to pay for weapons. | Bob Geldof has challenged the BBC to substantiate its report that millions raised for famine relief in Ethiopia were diverted to pay for weapons. |
| The campaigner, who led the Western relief effort in the 80s, said there was "not a shred of evidence" Band Aid or Live Aid money was siphoned off. | The campaigner, who led the Western relief effort in the 80s, said there was "not a shred of evidence" Band Aid or Live Aid money was siphoned off. |
| The report included claims that substantial sums of aid that went into rebel-held areas of Tigray province in 1985 were used to buy arms. | |
| The BBC is standing by its report. | |
| Mr Geldof told BBC One's Andrew Marr show he would personally sue the Ethiopian government and spend the money on aid if any evidence was produced. | Mr Geldof told BBC One's Andrew Marr show he would personally sue the Ethiopian government and spend the money on aid if any evidence was produced. |
| 'Credible voices' | 'Credible voices' |
| He said: "Produce me one shred of evidence and I promise you I will professionally investigate it, I will professionally report it, and if there is any money missing I will sue the Ethiopian government for that money back and I will spend it on aid. | He said: "Produce me one shred of evidence and I promise you I will professionally investigate it, I will professionally report it, and if there is any money missing I will sue the Ethiopian government for that money back and I will spend it on aid. |
| "There is not a single shred of evidence that Band Aid or Live Aid money was diverted in any sense, it could not have been." | "There is not a single shred of evidence that Band Aid or Live Aid money was diverted in any sense, it could not have been." |
| Gebremedhin Araya (L) says he posed as a merchant to get aid | Gebremedhin Araya (L) says he posed as a merchant to get aid |
| The news and current affairs editor at the World Service, Andrew Whitehead, said the BBC stands by its report. | The news and current affairs editor at the World Service, Andrew Whitehead, said the BBC stands by its report. |
| Taking part in a discussion with Sir Bob, Mr Whitehead said we have "quite a lot of evidence" to support the BBC report. | Taking part in a discussion with Sir Bob, Mr Whitehead said we have "quite a lot of evidence" to support the BBC report. |
| The World Service report featured interviews with two former members of a rebel group who made the allegations dating from the mid-80s. | The World Service report featured interviews with two former members of a rebel group who made the allegations dating from the mid-80s. |
| They told the BBC they posed as merchants in meetings with charity workers to get aid money which they used to fund attempts to overthrow the government. | They told the BBC they posed as merchants in meetings with charity workers to get aid money which they used to fund attempts to overthrow the government. |
| One rebel leader estimated that $95m (£63m) from Western governments and charities, including Band Aid, was diverted. | One rebel leader estimated that $95m (£63m) from Western governments and charities, including Band Aid, was diverted. |
| The CIA also alleged aid money was being misused. | The CIA also alleged aid money was being misused. |
| There is a clear public interest in determining whether some money given as famine relief ended up buying guns and bullets Andrew Whitehead, BBC World Service BBC response to criticism | There is a clear public interest in determining whether some money given as famine relief ended up buying guns and bullets Andrew Whitehead, BBC World Service BBC response to criticism |
| A 1985 report from the crime agency concluded: "Some funds that insurgent organisations are raising for relief operations, as a result of increased world publicity, are almost certainly being diverted for military purposes." | A 1985 report from the crime agency concluded: "Some funds that insurgent organisations are raising for relief operations, as a result of increased world publicity, are almost certainly being diverted for military purposes." |
| Mr Geldof, who was speaking to the BBC from Nairobi, also said one of the sources quoted in the report was a "dissident political exile" who was "not credible". | Mr Geldof, who was speaking to the BBC from Nairobi, also said one of the sources quoted in the report was a "dissident political exile" who was "not credible". |
| The anti-poverty campaigner and the Band Aid Trust are reportedly taking their complaint to the broadcasting regulator Ofcom. | The anti-poverty campaigner and the Band Aid Trust are reportedly taking their complaint to the broadcasting regulator Ofcom. |
| They and a number of other agencies, including Oxfam, the Red Cross, Christian Aid and Save The Children, are also writing to chairman of the BBC Trust, Sir Michael Lyons. | They and a number of other agencies, including Oxfam, the Red Cross, Christian Aid and Save The Children, are also writing to chairman of the BBC Trust, Sir Michael Lyons. |
| John Kennedy, a co-founder of the Band Aid Trust, said: "The trust is writing to the BBC and Ofcom to complain about the broadcast." | John Kennedy, a co-founder of the Band Aid Trust, said: "The trust is writing to the BBC and Ofcom to complain about the broadcast." |
| A Christian Aid spokeswoman confirmed it was planning to support the complaint. | A Christian Aid spokeswoman confirmed it was planning to support the complaint. |