Counter-terror cops launch probe into whether BBC broke law by paying son of Hamas official for Gaza doc
COUNTER-TERROR cops are looking into whether the BBC’s controversial Gaza documentary broke the law by paying the son of a Hamas official.
Scotland Yard is assessing whether Gaza: How To Survive A War Zone breached UK laws against financing terrorist organisations.
The BBC has admitted the 14-year-old narrator’s family was handed money but insists it was assured no cash went to Hamas, which is proscribed as a terror group in Britain.
A spokesman for the force confirmed they had received multiple reports raising concerns about the documentary and that Counter Terrorism Command officers were “currently assessing whether any police action is required in relation to this matter”.
The scandal has rocked the corporation, forcing BBC bosses into a grovelling apology on Thursday as they admitted to “serious flaws” in the programme.
A fact-finding review is now under way but critics have blasted the BBC for “marking its own homework” and are demanding an independent probe into the fiasco.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy yesterday summoned BBC chairman Dr Samir Shah for an “urgent meeting”, warning the failures were “completely unacceptable” and that “no stone must be left unturned” in the review.
The BBC said that although they had been assured by production company Hoyo films that no payments were made to Hamas, they would be seeking additional assurances.
A BBC spokesman said: “Nothing is more important than the trust that our audiences have in our journalism. This incident has damaged that trust.”
Embattled BBC bosses will face a day of reckoning next week as they are set to be grilled by MPs on the corporation’s work.
Director General Tim Davie and Dr Shah will appear in front of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee for a regular scrutiny session.