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Reporter on inaccurate Newsnight film questioned by BIJ funding body Reporter on inaccurate Newsnight film questioned by BIJ funding body
(about 1 hour later)
The chief reporter behind the disastrous Newsnight report that wrongly linked a former Tory peer with allegations of child sexual abuse was formally questioned on Monday by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism's funding body.The chief reporter behind the disastrous Newsnight report that wrongly linked a former Tory peer with allegations of child sexual abuse was formally questioned on Monday by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism's funding body.
Angus Stickler, the former BBC journalist who researched and fronted the Newsnight film on 2 November, was interviewed by the bureau's trustees in London.Angus Stickler, the former BBC journalist who researched and fronted the Newsnight film on 2 November, was interviewed by the bureau's trustees in London.
He was asked to provider further information and return for questioning on Thursday.He was asked to provider further information and return for questioning on Thursday.
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism has launched an urgent inquiry into the Newsnight film, which it says was "100% overseen by the BBC". The bureau's trustees, chaired by James Lee, hope to publish their report by Friday.The Bureau of Investigative Journalism has launched an urgent inquiry into the Newsnight film, which it says was "100% overseen by the BBC". The bureau's trustees, chaired by James Lee, hope to publish their report by Friday.
Newsnight's Bryn Estate report fuelled false internet rumours that linked Lord McAlpine, a former Tory party treasurer, with allegations of child sexual abuse. Newsnight's Bryn Estyn report fuelled false internet rumours that linked Lord McAlpine, a former Tory party treasurer, with allegations of child sexual abuse.
McApline has threatened to sue for defamation and Newsnight apologised for the inaccurate report on Friday.McApline has threatened to sue for defamation and Newsnight apologised for the inaccurate report on Friday.
The film led directly to the resignation of the BBC director general, George Entwistle, on Saturday night, and the BIJ managing editor, Iain Overton, who stepped down on Monday.The film led directly to the resignation of the BBC director general, George Entwistle, on Saturday night, and the BIJ managing editor, Iain Overton, who stepped down on Monday.
The not-for-profit news group has attempted to distance itself from the Newsnight scandal, saying that the BBC had full editorial control over the report.The not-for-profit news group has attempted to distance itself from the Newsnight scandal, saying that the BBC had full editorial control over the report.
The BIJ, based at City University in London, has confirmed that Stickler has taken a fully paid leave of absence pending the outcome of two separate inquiries into the Newsnight debacle.The BIJ, based at City University in London, has confirmed that Stickler has taken a fully paid leave of absence pending the outcome of two separate inquiries into the Newsnight debacle.
An internal BBC inquiry by the BBC Scotland director, Ken MacQuarrie, concluded those responsible for the report had failed to make "basic journalistic checks" before it was aired on 2 November.An internal BBC inquiry by the BBC Scotland director, Ken MacQuarrie, concluded those responsible for the report had failed to make "basic journalistic checks" before it was aired on 2 November.
Overton was questioned by the trustees on Sunday, when he formally tendered his resignation, but is not believed to have been asked to return.Overton was questioned by the trustees on Sunday, when he formally tendered his resignation, but is not believed to have been asked to return.
In a letter to the Times on Tuesday, the BIJ's lead trustees sought to "underline that the BBC did not 'outsource' its reputation to the bureau".In a letter to the Times on Tuesday, the BIJ's lead trustees sought to "underline that the BBC did not 'outsource' its reputation to the bureau".
The letter was signed by the former chairman of the Financial Times Sir David Bell, journalism professor George Brock, and the bureau's main funders, David and Elaine Potter.The letter was signed by the former chairman of the Financial Times Sir David Bell, journalism professor George Brock, and the bureau's main funders, David and Elaine Potter.
It said: "The BBC required, and had, full editorial control throughout the production of the Newsnight film transmitted on 2 November about the North Wales child abuse inquiry ... The Bureau's work has won awards by disclosing important information in the public interest and, with only this recent exception, by maintaining high standards of journalism."It said: "The BBC required, and had, full editorial control throughout the production of the Newsnight film transmitted on 2 November about the North Wales child abuse inquiry ... The Bureau's work has won awards by disclosing important information in the public interest and, with only this recent exception, by maintaining high standards of journalism."
Overton sparked an internet frenzy with his tweeted claim, hours before broadcast on 2 November, that Newsnight was about to reveal a "very senior political figure who is a paedophile", although he was not directly involved in the story. The trustees described the now-infamous tweet from Overton as "regrettable".Overton sparked an internet frenzy with his tweeted claim, hours before broadcast on 2 November, that Newsnight was about to reveal a "very senior political figure who is a paedophile", although he was not directly involved in the story. The trustees described the now-infamous tweet from Overton as "regrettable".
Overton said on Monday night: "I am incredibly sorry that people have had to resign over it. I am incredibly sorry we got the journalism wrong. I am incredibly sorry Steve Messham [the abuse victim featured in the report] must have been to hell and back, and I'm incredibly sorry for Lord McAlpine."Overton said on Monday night: "I am incredibly sorry that people have had to resign over it. I am incredibly sorry we got the journalism wrong. I am incredibly sorry Steve Messham [the abuse victim featured in the report] must have been to hell and back, and I'm incredibly sorry for Lord McAlpine."
The episode could be devastating for the not-for-profit group, which has partnered with a number of national newspapers, including the Guardian, and broadcasters to run investigative stories, some of them award-winning.The episode could be devastating for the not-for-profit group, which has partnered with a number of national newspapers, including the Guardian, and broadcasters to run investigative stories, some of them award-winning.
Since launching in April 2010, the BIJ has received around £2m in grants and is funded by the David and Elaine Potter Foundation.Since launching in April 2010, the BIJ has received around £2m in grants and is funded by the David and Elaine Potter Foundation.
In a submission to the Leveson inquiry earlier this year, the BIJ said that costly legal cover was its main worry and urged Lord Justice Leveson to consider granting charitable status to independent investigative journalism groups.In a submission to the Leveson inquiry earlier this year, the BIJ said that costly legal cover was its main worry and urged Lord Justice Leveson to consider granting charitable status to independent investigative journalism groups.
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