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Brenda Leyland dead: Martin Brunt and Sky News faces online backlash following death of Madeleine McCann parents' 'troll' Brenda Leyland dead: Martin Brunt and Sky News faces online backlash following death of Madeleine McCann parents' 'troll'
(35 minutes later)
Sky News is facing an online backlash following the death of a woman accused of being an internet troll who has been found dead.Sky News is facing an online backlash following the death of a woman accused of being an internet troll who has been found dead.
Brenda Leyland, 63, was identified as one of a number of "trolls" posting abusive messages aimed at Gerry and Kate McCann, whose daughter went missing in Portugal in 2007.Brenda Leyland, 63, was identified as one of a number of "trolls" posting abusive messages aimed at Gerry and Kate McCann, whose daughter went missing in Portugal in 2007.
Mrs Leyland was found dead in a Leicestershire hotel on Saturday. Police have not commented on any connection between the two incidents. Mrs Leyland was found dead in a Leicestershire hotel on Saturday. Police have said the death is not being treated as suspicious and have not commented on any connection between the two incidents.
Last week Mrs Leyland was tracked down to her home in Burton Overy, Leicestershire, by Sky News and confronted by reporter Martin Brunt about her online activities.Last week Mrs Leyland was tracked down to her home in Burton Overy, Leicestershire, by Sky News and confronted by reporter Martin Brunt about her online activities.
Mr Brunt asked Mrs Leyland why she was using a Twitter account to attack the McCanns, to which she replied: "I'm entitled to do that."Mr Brunt asked Mrs Leyland why she was using a Twitter account to attack the McCanns, to which she replied: "I'm entitled to do that."
The encounter was shown earlier this week, and days later, it was reported she had fled her home.The encounter was shown earlier this week, and days later, it was reported she had fled her home.
Abhorrent hounding of a Woman who's mental strength was obviously unimportant to you. Shame on @Skynews @skymartinbrunt RIP #BrendaLeylandAbhorrent hounding of a Woman who's mental strength was obviously unimportant to you. Shame on @Skynews @skymartinbrunt RIP #BrendaLeyland
- Sarah Thomas (@ArsenalSarah) October 5, 2014- Sarah Thomas (@ArsenalSarah) October 5, 2014
Whether Brenda Leyland was a troll or not, I don't think she was, the case reflects very badly on the professionalism of Sky News.Whether Brenda Leyland was a troll or not, I don't think she was, the case reflects very badly on the professionalism of Sky News.
Some Twitter users have now criticised Sky News for the report.Some Twitter users have now criticised Sky News for the report.
One Twitter user wrote: "Abhorrent hounding of a Woman who's mental strength was obviously unimportant to you. Shame on @Skynews @skymartinbrunt RIP #BrendaLeyland".One Twitter user wrote: "Abhorrent hounding of a Woman who's mental strength was obviously unimportant to you. Shame on @Skynews @skymartinbrunt RIP #BrendaLeyland".
A Facebook page entitled Sack Martin Brunt has also been set up in the wake of Mrs Leyland's death.
A Sky spokesman today told The Independent: "We were saddened to hear of the death of Brenda Leyland. It would be inappropriate to speculate or comment further at this time."A Sky spokesman today told The Independent: "We were saddened to hear of the death of Brenda Leyland. It would be inappropriate to speculate or comment further at this time."
Leicestershire Police have said officers were called at 1.42pm on Saturday to reports of a woman's body in a hotel room.Leicestershire Police have said officers were called at 1.42pm on Saturday to reports of a woman's body in a hotel room.
A police spokesman said: "Officers have attended the scene and a file is being prepared for the coroner.A police spokesman said: "Officers have attended the scene and a file is being prepared for the coroner.
"Identification of the deceased is a matter for the coroner. The death is not being treated as suspicious.""Identification of the deceased is a matter for the coroner. The death is not being treated as suspicious."