Broadcast regulator Ofcom has partially upheld a complaint from the police watchdog over a Panorama episode about the shooting of Chris Kaba.
The documentary included claims by Sal Naseem, a former London regional director for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), that a murder investigation into the police officer who shot Kaba had been launched amid pressure over potential public disorder.
The IOPC denied the claim and objected after its statement was not included in the initial broadcast, and the BBC refused to make a public apology.
The IOPC launched a murder investigation four days after Mr Kaba was shot.
On Monday, Ofcom said while the programme makers had been fair regarding Naseem’s comments, they did not give the IOPC a proper chance to respond to further criticisms by former Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Neil Basu, and former armed officer Tony Long.
In its ruling, the regulator said: “In relation to Mr Naseem’s contribution, Ofcom found that the broadcaster took reasonable care to satisfy itself that material facts were not presented, disregarded or omitted in the programme in a way that resulted in unfairness to the IOPC.
“However, in relation to the criticisms made by Mr Basu and Mr Long, we considered that these comments had the potential to materially or adversely affect viewers’ opinions of the IOPC in a way that was unfair.”
The BBC had argued that Mr Basu and Mr Long’s comments were presented as personal and professional opinions.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We note the findings of this Ofcom ruling, which are broadly in line with the conclusions reached by the BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit in dealing with the IOPC’s initial complaint.
“We are pleased that the complaint relating to Mr Naseem’s contribution was not upheld.
“We took quick action to add the statement made by the IOPC after the criminal trial to the iPlayer version of the programme, and to the online article.
“We always strive to be as fair and thorough as possible when offering and including responses from people and organisations in our programmes.”
IOPC director-general Rachel Watson said the organisation was “pleased” that Ofcom had upheld two of their complaints.
“[Ofcom] agreed that the IOPC was treated unfairly by the BBC when we were given no right to reply to damaging criticisms made about us within that programme and for not including a statement we provided prior to its broadcast,” she said.
“Those criticisms were deeply concerning given they directly questioned our independence and decision-making.
“We felt we had no choice but to escalate our complaints to Ofcom after exhausting the BBC’s complaint procedures.”
She added: “While the BBC eventually admitted it had breached its own editorial standards, it refused to make a public apology, despite the IOPC providing evidence to show the serious reputational damage caused to our organisation as a result of the programme.
“While the damage caused by the documentary cannot be undone, we welcome Ofcom’s ruling that the IOPC was treated unfairly and are pleased that the BBC has been held to account.”
Ofcom also confirmed on Monday that it is to investigate GB News over whether or not it breached impartiality rules over the broadcast of an interview with Donald Trump in November.
The regulator also announced it has upheld a complaint against the former Talk TV host Mike Graham’s show, following a complaint from the Met Office after he said they “made up” some of their temperature data.