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| BBC shelves Panorama episode after 'bribe' allegation | BBC shelves Panorama episode after 'bribe' allegation |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The BBC has postponed an episode of Panorama and suspended a member of the production team, after allegations that a security consultant was offered a bribe for information. | The BBC has postponed an episode of Panorama and suspended a member of the production team, after allegations that a security consultant was offered a bribe for information. |
| The episode of the BBC's flagship investigative programme, which was due to look into the activities of luxury Caribbean property developer Harlequin, has been pulled following a complaint lodged last week by the company. | The episode of the BBC's flagship investigative programme, which was due to look into the activities of luxury Caribbean property developer Harlequin, has been pulled following a complaint lodged last week by the company. |
| "In light of information received late in the production process of this film the BBC decided to postpone broadcast," said a BBC spokeswoman. "We are currently reviewing the facts. As a result a member of the team has been suspended and a disciplinary procedure is under way." | "In light of information received late in the production process of this film the BBC decided to postpone broadcast," said a BBC spokeswoman. "We are currently reviewing the facts. As a result a member of the team has been suspended and a disciplinary procedure is under way." |
| A spokesman for Harlequin confirmed on Thursday that Matthew Chapman, who described himself as an "award-winning Panorama producer" had emailed Sean Ghent, a consultant to the company, suggesting that it may go out of business soon and that he may get work with the BBC1 current affairs programme. The spokesman said the message came from a BBC email address. | A spokesman for Harlequin confirmed on Thursday that Matthew Chapman, who described himself as an "award-winning Panorama producer" had emailed Sean Ghent, a consultant to the company, suggesting that it may go out of business soon and that he may get work with the BBC1 current affairs programme. The spokesman said the message came from a BBC email address. |
| The Times reported that the email allegedly said: "I was wondering if I could be a bit cheeky here. It's unlikely that Ames [Harlequin's chairman David Ames] and maybe Harlequin will be around for much longer, nor will he have the money to pay people for much longer. Panorama and the BBC is always using security protection officers and although I cannot guarantee anything we may be able to put things your way. How would you feel helping me out in a totally confidential way?" | The Times reported that the email allegedly said: "I was wondering if I could be a bit cheeky here. It's unlikely that Ames [Harlequin's chairman David Ames] and maybe Harlequin will be around for much longer, nor will he have the money to pay people for much longer. Panorama and the BBC is always using security protection officers and although I cannot guarantee anything we may be able to put things your way. How would you feel helping me out in a totally confidential way?" |
| Ghent told the Times that he was shocked by the person's approach to him via business network LinkedIn on 13 March. | Ghent told the Times that he was shocked by the person's approach to him via business network LinkedIn on 13 March. |
| "He was suggesting my job might disappear," he said. "It seemed to me he was trying to offer me an enticement." | "He was suggesting my job might disappear," he said. "It seemed to me he was trying to offer me an enticement." |
| In a letter to the BBC's litigation department Harlequin said: "On any sensible interpretation, the message to Mr Ghent is simply staggering. It appears to constitute a flagrant and in out view highly improper attempt by [the journalist] to induce Mr Ghent into disclosing information about Harlequin in return for the potential reward of future work from the BBC. In short, it appears to be tantamount to an attempted bribe." | In a letter to the BBC's litigation department Harlequin said: "On any sensible interpretation, the message to Mr Ghent is simply staggering. It appears to constitute a flagrant and in out view highly improper attempt by [the journalist] to induce Mr Ghent into disclosing information about Harlequin in return for the potential reward of future work from the BBC. In short, it appears to be tantamount to an attempted bribe." |
| Earlier this month the Serious Fraud Office and Essex police launched a joint investigation into complaints relating to Harlequin. | Earlier this month the Serious Fraud Office and Essex police launched a joint investigation into complaints relating to Harlequin. |
| Thousands of investors have put as much as £200m into a scheme run by Essex-based Harlequin, which builds luxury villas on islands including St Lucia, Barbados and Dominican Republic. | Thousands of investors have put as much as £200m into a scheme run by Essex-based Harlequin, which builds luxury villas on islands including St Lucia, Barbados and Dominican Republic. |
| The SFO has opened an online questionnaire asking investors for details about their introduction to the group and their experience. | The SFO has opened an online questionnaire asking investors for details about their introduction to the group and their experience. |
| In January the Financial Services Authority issued an alert to financial advisers about investing large sums of clients money in Harlequin's overseas property. | |
| The BBC's anti-bribery policy states: "The BBC takes a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and is committed to acting professionally, fairly and with integrity in all its business dealings and relationships wherever it operates. The BBC is committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems to counter bribery.'' | The BBC's anti-bribery policy states: "The BBC takes a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and is committed to acting professionally, fairly and with integrity in all its business dealings and relationships wherever it operates. The BBC is committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems to counter bribery.'' |
| The Bribery Act 2010 outlaws financial offers to a person in the knowledge that acceptance would constitute "improper performance'' of their duties. | The Bribery Act 2010 outlaws financial offers to a person in the knowledge that acceptance would constitute "improper performance'' of their duties. |
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