• Disrupting Power Since 2015
  • Donate
  • Login
Sunday, May 18, 2025
  • Login
  • Register
Canary
MEDIA THAT DISRUPTS
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION
SUPPORT
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
Canary
No Result
View All Result

Whistleblowers slam ‘weak’ BBC apology for Panorama ‘smear campaign’

The Canary by The Canary
21 May 2021
in News, UK
Reading Time: 4 mins read
170 2
A A
3
Home UK News
319
SHARES
2.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Two BBC whistleblowers who tried to highlight the deceitful methods employed by Martin Bashir to obtain his explosive interview with princess of Wales Diana Spencer have attacked the corporation’s “generic” apology.

“Duress”

Graphic designer Matt Wiessler, who was commissioned by Bashir to create mocked-up documents, has long claimed he was made the scapegoat for the scandal. The report by lord Dyson was published on 20 May. It found Bashir “deceived” Diana into agreeing to the interview.

The journalist commissioned falsified documents purporting to show payments into the bank account of Alan Waller, a former employee of her brother the earl Charles Spencer; Patrick Jephson, Diana’s private secretary; and Richard Aylard, private secretary to the prince of Wales, the report found.

The documents falsely suggested the individuals were being paid for keeping the princess under surveillance.

Wiessler said on 21 May that his business had folded as a result of being blacklisted by the BBC after blowing the whistle on Bashir’s tactics.

He told the Today programme:

Only under duress do we get some sort of apology and some sort of acknowledgement.

Wiessler said all he had received was a “well-crafted letter” from the BBC at 10pm on 20 May which did “the absolute minimum” to acknowledge how poorly he had been treated.

He added:

It’s just really weak, calculating and, quite honestly, after 25 years, it’s nasty what they are doing to this day.

Lord Dyson – Bashir report
Martin Bashir has said he is still proud of the interview (BBC/PA)

“Dishonest”

Wiessler accused Bashir of “arrogance” for saying recently he is still proud of the Diana interview. Former Panorama producer Mark Killick, who was sacked from the programme within 24 hours when he raised concerns, called Bashir a “dishonest reporter” who “lied and lied”.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he said:

I think (the report) makes it very clear that Martin Bashir was a dishonest reporter, that he not only forged a number of documents, but he lied and lied.

Killick said senior managers at the BBC had fostered a “culture of fear” to deter whistleblowers and orchestrated a smear campaign against its own employees. He said:

I was told we only want the loyal people on the programme – I had been on Panorama for 10 years – and I was effectively let go. That is what happened to whistleblowers at that time.

Lord Dyson – Bashir report
Former Panorama producer Mark Killick lost his job within 24 hours of raising concerns (Media Zoo/PA)

“Generic”

Killick criticised the BBC for its inadequate and “generic” apology to both whistleblowers and Diana’s sons. He said:

Many people, both on the Princess Diana side of the line and in the BBC, had their reputations destroyed by a smear campaign authorised by BBC senior management, and many of them lost their jobs.

I’m not quite sure that a generic apology in the form of a press statement by the BBC is anything like adequate.

He continued:

The culture of fear that was established then, it was a long time ago, but they sent a clear message to everyone in the BBC, ‘do not refer up, do not bring the BBC bad news’.

Dyson’s report said:

By showing Earl Spencer the fake Waller and Jephson/Aylard statements and informing him of their contents, Mr Bashir deceived and induced him to arrange a meeting with Princess Diana. By gaining access to Princess Diana in this way, Mr Bashir was able to persuade her to agree to give the interview.

Share128Tweet80
Previous Post

These pioneering Palestinian children are trying not to be silenced by Israel’s bombs

Next Post

When a ‘ceasefire’ in Gaza is barely a ceasefire at all

Next Post
A bombed out building in Gaza

When a 'ceasefire' in Gaza is barely a ceasefire at all

The City of London representing the Rich List

Coronavirus created more 'Rich List' billionaires than ever

Aircraft Carrier

Arms companies are the only winners in the UK Navy’s drive to be a top maritime power

UK has regressed on racial equality, activists say ahead of renewed protests

UK has regressed on racial equality, activists say ahead of renewed protests

police van

Outrage grows as police embed themselves in mental health services

Please login to join discussion
Disabled people set to take to parliament en masse to oppose DWP cuts
Analysis

Disabled people set to take to parliament en masse to oppose DWP cuts

by The Canary
16 May 2025
Southern Water are threatening a journalist with defamation for asking difficult questions
Analysis

Southern Water are threatening a journalist with defamation for doing their job

by HG
16 May 2025
FIFA face human rights questions over upcoming world cups in Saudi Arabia and the US
Analysis

FIFA face human rights questions over upcoming world cups in Saudi Arabia and the US

by Maryam Jameela
16 May 2025
Plaid Cymru Commons leader just hit a nerve with this biting question to Keir Starmer
Analysis

Plaid Cymru Commons leader just hit a nerve with this biting question to Keir Starmer

by James Wright
16 May 2025
DWP failures have led to hundreds of deaths - but these are just the tip of the iceberg
Analysis

DWP failures have now led to hundreds of deaths – but these are still the tip of the iceberg

by Steve Topple
16 May 2025
  • Contact
  • About & FAQ
  • Get our Daily News Email
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

The Canary
PO Box 71199
LONDON
SE20 9EX

Canary Media Ltd – registered in England. Company registration number 09788095.

For guest posting, contact [email protected]

For other enquiries, contact: [email protected]

The Canary is owned and run by independent journalists and volunteers, NOT offshore billionaires.

You can write for us, or support us by making a regular or one-off donation.

© Canary Media Ltd 2024, all rights reserved | Website by Monster | Hosted by Krystal | Privacy Settings

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion

© 2023 Canary - Worker's co-op.

Before you go, have you seen...?

Disabled people set to take to parliament en masse to oppose DWP cuts
Analysis
The Canary

Disabled people set to take to parliament en masse to oppose DWP cuts

Southern Water are threatening a journalist with defamation for asking difficult questions
Analysis
HG

Southern Water are threatening a journalist with defamation for doing their job

FIFA face human rights questions over upcoming world cups in Saudi Arabia and the US
Analysis
Maryam Jameela

FIFA face human rights questions over upcoming world cups in Saudi Arabia and the US

Plaid Cymru Commons leader just hit a nerve with this biting question to Keir Starmer
Analysis
James Wright

Plaid Cymru Commons leader just hit a nerve with this biting question to Keir Starmer

ADVERTISEMENT
Business
Nathan Spears

Smart Delivery Positions Mr Nang as a Leader in Australia’s Cream Charger Market

Lifestyle
Nathan Spears

Social Media Activism: How Grassroots Movements Are Gaining Power Online

Travel
Nathan Spears

Best Destinations In Spain For A Couples Holiday