Source: Daily_Mail
Charles Sale: BBC's contempt risk over gem gaffe
BBC Sport have put themselves in danger of a contempt of court charge with their preview video of Chelsea's win at Fulham that was broadcast on Match of the Day Two last Sunday.
The tape made by a Beeb football producer used the closed-circuit TV footage of two robbers entering Graff jewellers in Mayfair, where they stole £40million worth of gems, as a highly questionable way of introducing the midfield diamond formation favoured by Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Yet the unnecessary, arty Beeb coverage at the weekend followed repeated earlier requests from the Metropolitan Police to media outlets not to show further the robbery pictures, as two men had been remanded in custody following a brief Wimbledon magistrates court appearance last Friday charged with conspiracy to rob and possession of a handgun. A third man was later arrested.
The Met made it clear that the identification of the pair was a major issue in the case and that further publicity could put those responsible in legally dubious territory. A Met spokesperson said yesterday they could only make requests and it was up to the courts to decide on contempt. Remarkably the Beeb say their MotD team had no knowledge of the Met Police warnings sent out last week, but would make no further comment.
