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Geldof challenges BBC aid claim Geldof challenges BBC aid claim
(30 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 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.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
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.
Gebremedhin Araya (L) says he posed as a merchant to get aid
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
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".
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
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.