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| BBC Panorama producer's behaviour was 'highly improper', claims developer | BBC Panorama producer's behaviour was 'highly improper', claims developer |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Harlequin, a luxury Caribbean property developer, has accused a BBC Panorama producer of "highly improper" behaviour and attempting to bribe a consultant to disclose sensitive information about the company. | Harlequin, a luxury Caribbean property developer, has accused a BBC Panorama producer of "highly improper" behaviour and attempting to bribe a consultant to disclose sensitive information about the company. |
| The BBC has confirmed that after receiving a complaint it had suspended a member of the Panorama production team pending an internal investigation and pulled an edition of the BBC1 programme about the company. | The BBC has confirmed that after receiving a complaint it had suspended a member of the Panorama production team pending an internal investigation and pulled an edition of the BBC1 programme about the company. |
| In a strongly worded statement on Thursday, Harlequin alleged that BBC Panorama producer Matthew Chapman had attempted to "induce [Harlequin consultant] Mr [Sean] Ghent into disclosing information about Harlequin in return for the potential reward of future work from the BBC". | In a strongly worded statement on Thursday, Harlequin alleged that BBC Panorama producer Matthew Chapman had attempted to "induce [Harlequin consultant] Mr [Sean] Ghent into disclosing information about Harlequin in return for the potential reward of future work from the BBC". |
| The company added that other staff had received similar communications from the BBC producer and said it was "shocked" by this "highly improper" behaviour. | The company added that other staff had received similar communications from the BBC producer and said it was "shocked" by this "highly improper" behaviour. |
| "In short, it appears to be tantamount to an attempted bribe. Other members of staff have received similar communications from Mr Chapman which have been forwarded to the BBC," Harlequin said. | "In short, it appears to be tantamount to an attempted bribe. Other members of staff have received similar communications from Mr Chapman which have been forwarded to the BBC," Harlequin said. |
| "Panorama made no attempt to contact Harlequin prior to making serious (yet entirely false) allegations to others about Harlequin's alleged conduct and failed to provide any evidence to support these allegations." | "Panorama made no attempt to contact Harlequin prior to making serious (yet entirely false) allegations to others about Harlequin's alleged conduct and failed to provide any evidence to support these allegations." |
| Harlequin added that it appreciated the BBC's swift reaction to its the complaint and launching an investigation. | Harlequin added that it appreciated the BBC's swift reaction to its the complaint and launching an investigation. |
| The company also published the email it alleges that Chapman sent to Ghent, who is described in an email reply as "global head of security and risk", on 13 March and includes what it claims is "an attempted bribe". | The company also published the email it alleges that Chapman sent to Ghent, who is described in an email reply as "global head of security and risk", on 13 March and includes what it claims is "an attempted bribe". |
| Chapman admits in the email, according to Harlequin, that he is being "a bit cheeky here", before suggesting to Ghent that the company may soon be unable to pay its staff and he may be able to get security work at the BBC. The BBC man then asks Ghent if he can help out with information. | Chapman admits in the email, according to Harlequin, that he is being "a bit cheeky here", before suggesting to Ghent that the company may soon be unable to pay its staff and he may be able to get security work at the BBC. The BBC man then asks Ghent if he can help out with information. |
| "It's unlikely that [Harlequin chairman David] Ames and maybe Harlequin will be around for much longer, nor will he have the money to pay people for much longer," Chapman is alleged to have said in the email. | "It's unlikely that [Harlequin chairman David] Ames and maybe Harlequin will be around for much longer, nor will he have the money to pay people for much longer," Chapman is alleged to have said in the email. |
| "There are a long list of creditors already I understand. Panorama and the BBC is always using security and protection officers and although I cannot guarantee anything we may be able to put things your way. Or we could work together on stories. Its [sic] always good to keep one eye on the future! How would you feel helping me out in a totally confidential way? Only the two of us would know of your involvement here." | "There are a long list of creditors already I understand. Panorama and the BBC is always using security and protection officers and although I cannot guarantee anything we may be able to put things your way. Or we could work together on stories. Its [sic] always good to keep one eye on the future! How would you feel helping me out in a totally confidential way? Only the two of us would know of your involvement here." |
| Chapman allegedly signed off with: "I'm a Bafta award-winning producer so I don't mess about with offers like this – nor would I piss you about." | Chapman allegedly signed off with: "I'm a Bafta award-winning producer so I don't mess about with offers like this – nor would I piss you about." |
| Harlequin also expressed concern about the behaviour of the Panorama team in the Caribbean and said it believed many of the allegations made to the BBC came from Padraig O'Halloran and the company's former Wilkins Kennedy accountant, Jeremy Newman. Harlequin is suing O'Halloran for alleged fraudulent misappropriation and has a separate libel action against Newman. | Harlequin also expressed concern about the behaviour of the Panorama team in the Caribbean and said it believed many of the allegations made to the BBC came from Padraig O'Halloran and the company's former Wilkins Kennedy accountant, Jeremy Newman. Harlequin is suing O'Halloran for alleged fraudulent misappropriation and has a separate libel action against Newman. |
| The BBC said on Thursday following the Harlequin statement that it had nothing to add to its initial comment issued late on Wednesday: "In light of information received late in the production process of this film the BBC decided to postpone broadcast. We are currently reviewing the facts. As a result a member of the team has been suspended and a disciplinary procedure is under way." | The BBC said on Thursday following the Harlequin statement that it had nothing to add to its initial comment issued late on Wednesday: "In light of information received late in the production process of this film the BBC decided to postpone broadcast. We are currently reviewing the facts. As a result a member of the team has been suspended and a disciplinary procedure is under way." |
| 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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