I refer to the article “BBC Scotland in broken embargo controversy” (Press Gazette , 24 February).
I
fear your source has been seeking to misrepresent what took place in
relation to our interview with Veronica Wilson, the widow of the
murdered Nairn bank manager.
The BBC’s involvement was not
“week-long” as your article suggested, but began shortly after the New
Year as a result of a direct approach from BBC Scotland correspondent
John Morrison. There was no agreement with BBC Scotland on an embargo,
and the subsequent attempt to impose an embargo did not follow accepted
practice in our industry. I draw your attention to a Northern
Constabulary press notice, carried on the wires on 17 February – the
day before a press conference and the day after our interview – which
bore no mention of an embargo. Your article states that BBC staff were
“escorted off the premises by police” at a news conference on Friday 18
February. This is incorrect. They left of their own accord.
Blair Jenkins Head of News and Current Affairs BBC Scotland
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