Complaint
This bulletin contained a story about Angela Rayner and accusations made by the Conservatives about her tax affairs. A listener complained the story was false and the BBC had failed to check the underlying facts before broadcasting. The ECU considered the item against the BBC Guidelines on Accuracy.
Outcome
The bulletin outlined how the Conservatives had called for an investigation into the tax affairs of the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner after the Daily Telegraph had reported she had saved thousands of pounds in stamp duty when she bought a flat in Hove in East Sussex by telling tax authorities it was her main home. It included a statement from Miss Rayner’s spokesman saying she had paid the relevant duty.
The ECU considered it was reasonable for the BBC to report the story and in the public interest for the BBC to summarise the allegation and response in a proportionate way.
Not Upheld