Post by Teddy Bear on Aug 16, 2013 14:32:38 GMT
A Panorama journalist in Belfast sends a colleague at BBC Salford a miniature spy camera. He places it in a drinks bottle, which looked exactly like a bomb when X-rayed, and sends it by normal mail. When it arrived it raised suspicions that it might be a bomb, and the bomb squad and police were alerted.
However, shortly before bomb squad officers were due to carry out a controlled explosion, Greater Manchester Police said a senior employee phoned them and claimed it was part of a 'security test' being carried out by Panorama journalists.
But in a later call, the employee claimed the package was a 'bug' that should have been sent in the BBC's internal post.
Later, a BBC spokesman denied the package was sent as a 'security test' and said:'The package contained filming equipment and had been sent from BBC Northern Ireland by Royal Mail because it was needed in Salford the following day.
Clearly the police commissioner knows what he believes, as he is infuriated, and intends to pass the bill on to the BBC.
Mr Lloyd said: 'Whatever has happened here, whether a deliberate hoax or a stupid mistake, it caused severe disruption to the emergency services and the local community in Salford.
'The cost of this operation to the police alone is likely to be around about £5,000 and I will be sending the bill to the BBC’s Director General.
'It’s not right that the people of Greater Manchester should have to pick up the tab for Panorama’s stupidity.
Common sense prevailing.
But it shows how the BBC lie, twist and squirm out of every embarrassing action on their part, and try to present themselves as innocent.
Lying, twisting and squirming is so natural for them.
However, shortly before bomb squad officers were due to carry out a controlled explosion, Greater Manchester Police said a senior employee phoned them and claimed it was part of a 'security test' being carried out by Panorama journalists.
But in a later call, the employee claimed the package was a 'bug' that should have been sent in the BBC's internal post.
Later, a BBC spokesman denied the package was sent as a 'security test' and said:'The package contained filming equipment and had been sent from BBC Northern Ireland by Royal Mail because it was needed in Salford the following day.
Clearly the police commissioner knows what he believes, as he is infuriated, and intends to pass the bill on to the BBC.
Mr Lloyd said: 'Whatever has happened here, whether a deliberate hoax or a stupid mistake, it caused severe disruption to the emergency services and the local community in Salford.
'The cost of this operation to the police alone is likely to be around about £5,000 and I will be sending the bill to the BBC’s Director General.
'It’s not right that the people of Greater Manchester should have to pick up the tab for Panorama’s stupidity.
Common sense prevailing.
But it shows how the BBC lie, twist and squirm out of every embarrassing action on their part, and try to present themselves as innocent.
Lying, twisting and squirming is so natural for them.
BBC journalist posts spy camera that looks like a BOMB to Salford HQ - and sparks £14,000 terror alert over suspicious package
A BBC Panorama journalist sparked a 'farcical' £14,000 terror alert at the broadcaster's Salford headquarters after sending a package that was mistaken for a bomb.
Specialist bomb squad officers were called and hospitals put on standby after what was thought to be a suspicious package arrived at MediaCity earlier this week.
Explosives experts were about to carry out a controlled explosion on the parcel when it was revealed it was actually a home-made spy camera.
The package was sent by a Belfast-based journalist, who works for the BBC's flagship current affairs show, Panorama, to a colleague at Salford Quays.
It comprised a tiny recording device inside a plastic bottle of drink, which looked exactly like a bomb when X-rayed.
However, shortly before bomb squad officers were due to carry out a controlled explosion, Greater Manchester Police said a senior employee phoned them and claimed it was part of a 'security test' being carried out by Panorama journalists.
But in a later call, the employee claimed the package was a 'bug' that should have been sent in the BBC's internal post.
A BBC spokesman denied the package was sent as a 'security test' and said:'The package contained filming equipment and had been sent from BBC Northern Ireland by Royal Mail because it was needed in Salford the following day.
'This was categorically not part of an investigation testing security procedures.
'There was a stamp on the outside of the package that showed it had been sent by BBC Northern Ireland and it was addressed to a producer at BBC Salford.
'The package was referred to the police, as it was believed it looked suspicious.
'Everyone acted in good faith and we discussed what happened in detail with the police yesterday.'
The incident has infuriated police commissioner Tony Lloyd, who has now vowed to send the force’s £5,000 policing bill to the BBC Director General, Tony Hall.
He also labelled the blunder an ‘irresponsible’ diversion of resources.
Bomb detectives were called to Swiss Post on Broadway, near the BBC studios, shortly after 9am on Wednesday after security staff raised the alarm.
They were joined by five specialist hazard response teams from the North West Ambulance Service - trained to deal with major incidents - at a further cost of between £3,000 to £4,000.
In addition, fire crews, including three pumps, two station managers and a specialist support unit were also put on standby, costing about £5,300.
Initially, explosives experts concluded the package was either an ‘elaborate hoax’ or a real bomb - until the BBC revealed it was actually a home-made ‘bug’.
A police source said: 'The package was sent from Belfast and when it was put through the X-ray at the sorting office, it immediately aroused suspicion, because there was a device in a plastic bottle which had had all hallmarks of an IED (Improvised Explosive Device).
'It was initially treated as a serious threat or a hoax, so all the usual protocols were followed.
'Shortly after the alarm was raised, a senior BBC employee rang to say to it was a security test being carried out by Panorama journalists.
'But then the employee claimed it was all a terrible misunderstanding and the package should have been sent in the BBC's internal post.'
Mr Lloyd has now called for a full internal inquiry.
It is understood police interviewed several BBC employees after the incident, and concluded no criminal activity had taken place.
Mr Lloyd said: 'Whatever has happened here, whether a deliberate hoax or a stupid mistake, it caused severe disruption to the emergency services and the local community in Salford.
'The cost of this operation to the police alone is likely to be around about £5,000 and I will be sending the bill to the BBC’s Director General.
'It’s not right that the people of Greater Manchester should have to pick up the tab for Panorama’s stupidity.
'I will also be writing to James Harding, the new Director of News at the corporation, as I expect him to carry out a full review of the circumstances.
'The BBC owes it to the people of Greater Manchester to explain how Panorama caused this farce to happen, and what they will do to avoid a repeat of it.'
- Package sent by Belfast-based Panorama journalist to MediaCity colleague
- A tiny recording device was placed inside a plastic bottle and looked exactly like a bomb when X-rayed.
- Specialist bomb squad officers called and hospitals placed on standby
- BBC employee told police it was part of a 'security test' for Panorama
- But later claimed it was a bug that should have been sent internally
- Police Commissioner 'furious' and vows to send policing bill to the BBC
A BBC Panorama journalist sparked a 'farcical' £14,000 terror alert at the broadcaster's Salford headquarters after sending a package that was mistaken for a bomb.
Specialist bomb squad officers were called and hospitals put on standby after what was thought to be a suspicious package arrived at MediaCity earlier this week.
Explosives experts were about to carry out a controlled explosion on the parcel when it was revealed it was actually a home-made spy camera.
The package was sent by a Belfast-based journalist, who works for the BBC's flagship current affairs show, Panorama, to a colleague at Salford Quays.
It comprised a tiny recording device inside a plastic bottle of drink, which looked exactly like a bomb when X-rayed.
However, shortly before bomb squad officers were due to carry out a controlled explosion, Greater Manchester Police said a senior employee phoned them and claimed it was part of a 'security test' being carried out by Panorama journalists.
But in a later call, the employee claimed the package was a 'bug' that should have been sent in the BBC's internal post.
A BBC spokesman denied the package was sent as a 'security test' and said:'The package contained filming equipment and had been sent from BBC Northern Ireland by Royal Mail because it was needed in Salford the following day.
'This was categorically not part of an investigation testing security procedures.
'There was a stamp on the outside of the package that showed it had been sent by BBC Northern Ireland and it was addressed to a producer at BBC Salford.
'The package was referred to the police, as it was believed it looked suspicious.
'Everyone acted in good faith and we discussed what happened in detail with the police yesterday.'
The incident has infuriated police commissioner Tony Lloyd, who has now vowed to send the force’s £5,000 policing bill to the BBC Director General, Tony Hall.
He also labelled the blunder an ‘irresponsible’ diversion of resources.
Bomb detectives were called to Swiss Post on Broadway, near the BBC studios, shortly after 9am on Wednesday after security staff raised the alarm.
They were joined by five specialist hazard response teams from the North West Ambulance Service - trained to deal with major incidents - at a further cost of between £3,000 to £4,000.
In addition, fire crews, including three pumps, two station managers and a specialist support unit were also put on standby, costing about £5,300.
Initially, explosives experts concluded the package was either an ‘elaborate hoax’ or a real bomb - until the BBC revealed it was actually a home-made ‘bug’.
A police source said: 'The package was sent from Belfast and when it was put through the X-ray at the sorting office, it immediately aroused suspicion, because there was a device in a plastic bottle which had had all hallmarks of an IED (Improvised Explosive Device).
'It was initially treated as a serious threat or a hoax, so all the usual protocols were followed.
'Shortly after the alarm was raised, a senior BBC employee rang to say to it was a security test being carried out by Panorama journalists.
'But then the employee claimed it was all a terrible misunderstanding and the package should have been sent in the BBC's internal post.'
Mr Lloyd has now called for a full internal inquiry.
It is understood police interviewed several BBC employees after the incident, and concluded no criminal activity had taken place.
Mr Lloyd said: 'Whatever has happened here, whether a deliberate hoax or a stupid mistake, it caused severe disruption to the emergency services and the local community in Salford.
'The cost of this operation to the police alone is likely to be around about £5,000 and I will be sending the bill to the BBC’s Director General.
'It’s not right that the people of Greater Manchester should have to pick up the tab for Panorama’s stupidity.
'I will also be writing to James Harding, the new Director of News at the corporation, as I expect him to carry out a full review of the circumstances.
'The BBC owes it to the people of Greater Manchester to explain how Panorama caused this farce to happen, and what they will do to avoid a repeat of it.'