BBC sorry over Ian Terry 'PC Plod' gaffe

John Scheerhout

March 18, 2010

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Pc Ian Terry

The BBC has apologised for mistakenly using a photograph of tragic cop Ian Terry above the caption 'Pc Plod' on a national news bulletin.

The corporation used a library photograph of Pc Terry, the Greater Manchester Police officer who was shot dead by a colleague during a training exercise, to illustrate an item about public spending cuts.

The item included a pictures of 'Mrs Doctor' and later 'Pc Plod' – illustrated with the picture of Pc Terry.

GMP was inundated with complaints following the blunder.

The force called the BBC and the corporation removed the item from its website, before later issuing a public apology.

The mistake came as an inquest continues into the death of Pc Terry, 32, a father-of-two from Burnley, who was shot dead by a colleague during a firearms training exercise at a disused Newton Heath warehouse on June 9, 2008.

It is understood PC Terry's family was made aware of the error.

A spokeswoman for GMP said: “As soon as we realised it had happened we contacted the BBC.

“They told us it was a mistake and they removed it from all their online content, and assured us it wouldn't happen again.”

Chris Burrows, chairman of the Greater Manchester branch of the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file cops, said: “I'm absolutely appalled they could make such a disgraceful mistake.

“Surely, the caption should have shown exactly why they had that photograph.

“We were inundated with telephone calls and we complained to the BBC, and asked them to write to the Terry family to apologise. Yes, it was a mistake but it was a pretty shocking mistake.”

One police officer added: “It wasn't just the fact they used the picture but the 'Pc Plod' comment was very demeaning.”

A BBC spokesman: “The BBC News at Six mistakenly used an image of the late Pc Ian Terry in an item on Wednesday's programme.

“The BBC apologises unreservedly for the error and for any distress caused to Pc Terry's family and colleagues.

“As soon as the error was realised, immediate steps were taken to ensure the image was not broadcast again.”

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Laura Norder, Didsbury (18/03/2010 at 09:22)

I noticed it on the BBC's six-o'-clock news, and immediately contacted the GMP Press Office - but they were on the ball, and had already notified the Beeb.

Good work.

Esso Blue. Apple Blossom time, Manchester (18/03/2010 at 10:27)

I seen it myself. Some people are thick.

Proper Sentences (18/03/2010 at 10:50)

I accept this is an absoloute disgrace however Mr Burrows commented on a disgraceful mistake, GMP make these daily so Burrows should also start slating his colleagues,remember only this week GMP yet again got an hammering with regards to the murder of a young woman who they basically failed

RT, UK (18/03/2010 at 10:59)

Of course GMP never make appalling and disgraceful mistakes...

Croc, Manchester (18/03/2010 at 11:52)

Same here Laura. I e-mailed the BBC as I immediately thought of this officer's family and how they would feel if they saw PC Terry with "PC Plod" written above it. Very insensitive of the BBC.

smile1 (18/03/2010 at 12:16)

Why have peoples comments had to turn to the mistakes made by GMP. This is not to do with GMP but a personal issue of the insensitivity against a police officer and the effect it may have had on his family.

Esso Blue. Apple Blossom time, Manchester (18/03/2010 at 12:57)

Doesn't it have more to do with the film editor at the BBC and the person who decided to use the picture?. Was it taken from BBC archive and if so didn't they notice the story that went with the picture? and are they supposed to get permission from the police and or family before using the picture?.

Dev_Monkey (18/03/2010 at 13:04)

"Why have peoples comments had to turn to the mistakes made by GMP. This is not to do with GMP but a personal issue of the insensitivity against a police officer and the effect it may have had on his family."

Because most who post messages constantly critising GMP are proabably bitter people who are still upset about being given a speeding ticket or criminals themselves who blame Police for catching and prosecuting them.

Alan Partridge, Linton Travel Tavern (18/03/2010 at 15:41)

RT, UK
18/03/2010 at 10:59

You're a discrace. This lad was a police officer who died in tragic circumstances training to protect the public. To try and belittle the terrible mistake made by the BBC on the basis that PC Terry's employer have also made mistakes is moronic. PC Terry's family have the right for his image to be handled with extreme respect and dignity.

If you died in a work related accident and the BBC had published this photo of you to illustrate a generic fast food worker I'm sure you'd feel differently. Until you can muster an intellegent comment, don't.

Its sad that theres not been a bigger reaction to this if it had been a picture of Madaline Macann with the words 'blonde child' written below the country would be up in arms. Lets see a bigger gesture than a letter please BBC.

ebble, manchester (18/03/2010 at 17:03)

The BBC doesn't need to worry about gaffes like this. It gets your cash whatever sloppy, slapdash and unprofessional things it does, so why it should bother to get things right?

Try stopping your BBC subscription as a protest at this latest blunder and you'll get a fine and a criminal record for the heinous crime of using your TV even if you only watch ITV or Sky!

Proper Sentences (18/03/2010 at 20:24)

Smile 1 of course this has something to do with GMP they allowed armed officers to shoot a colleague with live bullets on a training exercise , totally bonkers, and in a disused warehouse where kids may have been playing. GMP are not very good at all and the family of the officer killed must get answers

Leon Trotsky (19/03/2010 at 07:27)

Typical BBC! Stupidity to the core and ususally the first to criticise anyone else had they made the same incompetent gaffe. But they needn't worry, we license payers are a captive audience and have no choice but to pay the exhorbitant license fee to keep these socialist idiots in the inflated salaries and massive expense accounts they're accustomed to.

The editor who passed this won't lose their job either, but will probably get an internal BBC award for journalism and a massive financial bonus paid for by yours truly.

Laura Norder, Didsbury (19/03/2010 at 09:54)

"Typical BBC! Stupidity to the core and ususally the first to criticise anyone else had they made the same incompetent gaffe. But they needn't worry, we license payers are a captive audience and have no choice but to pay the exhorbitant license fee to keep these socialist idiots in the inflated salaries and massive expense accounts they're accustomed to.

"The editor who passed this won't lose their job either, but will probably get an internal BBC award for journalism and a massive financial bonus paid for by yours truly." - Leon Trotsky

Did the 'voices' tell you to type your second para - it's surreal.

Leon Trotsky (20/03/2010 at 13:53)

"Did the 'voices' tell you to type your second para - it's surreal. "

Being the dyed in the wool lefty you are, you add comment that makes no contribution to the discussion in hand.

MancLadUK, Manchester (21/03/2010 at 09:34)

Just a shame that the memories of a fallen officer have to be tainted by people still trying to use any old excuse to have a bash at the very job he did. Most people wouldn't dare do that to a soldier and the few that did would be branded extremists.

It's disgraceful that an article used to highlight an error that's clearly going to cause upset to a family of a lost family member has been highjacked by thoughtless people, clearly keen on using such an article for their own selfish purposes.

I can't understand hatred for people who risk their lives daily unless some people are on the wrong side of the law and using anything they can to have a bash back at those who keep the decent people in our city safe?

This man died doing a decent and honest job. It's a sad and terrible tragedy, so let's respect that instead of bashing what he stood for and believed in.

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