BBC gagged over cash for honours inquiry

[133724]

The BBC was banned last night from broadcasting fresh allegations in the cash for honours investigation.

Lord Goldsmith, the attorney general, obtained an injunction to stop the BBC proceeding with a news story for the 10 O'Clock News after a two-hour hearing in chambers at the royal courts of justice in London.

The BBC could only say last night that it had been prevented from broadcasting a story which it believed was a "legitimate matter of public interest" about an hour before the bulletin went on air.


The cash for honours inquiry was sparked in March last year by complaints to the Metropolitan police by MPs from the Scottish National party and Plaid Cymru that honours appeared to have been offered in return for financial support to the major parties.

A Downing Street source said last night that the first No 10 knew that an injunction had either been sought or granted was when they saw the 10 O'clock News.

A spokesman for the attorney general said the move was taken in response to a request from the Metropolitan police, who have been engaged in a year-long inquiry into the claims, which relate to the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925.

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/funding/story/0,,2025794,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=1

[T_i_B]

1. We don't know why they've been gagged

so therefore speculation is pointless.

There is a police investigation going on over cash for honours.

[dipsydoodle]

3. Quite possibly

there was a risk of the case being damaged by sub judice. Only guessing - as you say too much speculation is pointless.

The fact that the program was otherwise going to be shown helps dispel the myth that the Beeb is governent owned - it's a Public Corporation.

[TheBaldyMan]

2. well at least it wasn't a double gagging order,

a double gagging order prevents any mention of the original gagging order. :crazy:

Maybe that's in the pipeline if the BBC gets too uppity.

[Richard Steele]

4. At least they are still able to tell viewers they've been gagged.

That's WAY better than the Crapaganda that is passed off as "news"
here in the colonies nowadays, with all the Talking WHORES who
gag themselves voluntarily and then LIE about it.