Corrupt BBC attacks innocent man

And not even an apology forthcoming

Just over a year ago the BBC produced a program from former Daily Record journalist and serial police hater Mark Daly. It alleged that one John Davidson obstructed the investigation into the Lawrence murder due to being corrupt. At the time, due to personal involvement in the case, I wrote a piece and asked Chris at Devils Kitchen to publish it anonymously. John Davidson, his family and I thank Chris for his co-operation in spreading the word so quickly in those dark days.

Following a complaint to the IPCC Davidson has been cleared (now for the fourth time) of corruption. And not only that but the BBC has been chastised for making a program that was so unbalanced in the first place.

In about an hour and a half I was able to put together the post that went up before the program was broadcast and dispelled all the allegations against Davidson. But yet the BBC persisted in this program because it was too attractive to them not to accuse a police officer of racism and corruption.

Following the program, and Yates allegation in it, Davidson instructed lawyers to contact the Met to request clarification of the point where it was claimed a serving DAC had seen proof of corruption. The last time I heard anything the deadline for a response to the lawyers had passed without reply. Indeed given the Met's response to the investigation it now seems that Yates is the only officer in the Met who holds this view. And given that he should now resign with immediate effect.

Be under no illusion, John Davidson's 2006 was one that should have been remembered as a time when he became a grandfather for the first time (twice) yet we will remember it as the time when the BBC broadcast falsehoods and worked his reputation over for little more than cheap ratings.

UPDATE: The original allegation received days of prominent headlines on both BBCi and on the main news bulletins despite them knowing it, as the Met told them, to be little more than a baseless allegation. Less than 24 hours after the report was published the story has went from main page side-bar to having fallen off the indexes of the website. Meantime the BBC could not devote any time in their Sunday evening reports on BBC 1 after Strictly Come Dancing to covering it while Five had an item (complete with shot of John's face) in the middle of their movie.

Report here



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