01 February 2019 - BBC Clarifies: Theresa May Will Not Be Going to Brussels in a WWII Warplane
BBC Offers Clarification: Theresa May Isn’t Going to Brussels in a Warplane
Palko Karasz (The New York Times, 31/01/2019)
In the flood of news about Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union, a few seconds of black-and-white film broadcast on the BBC stood out on Wednesday.
As an anchor ended an evening news program by saying, “Theresa May says she intends to go back to Brussels to renegotiate her Brexit deal,” the screen showed grainy images of World War II planes that appeared to be Spitfires.
The odd pairing caught the eye of many viewers, who shared the video clip on social media.
Theresa May will not be flying to Brussels in Spitfire, BBC clarifies
Matthew Weaver (The Guardian, 31/01/2019)
The BBC has blamed “human error” for a suggestion on its News at Six that Theresa May would be flying back to Brussels for more Brexit talks in a second world war Spitfire.
But the explanation has been greeted with scepticism by some who saw the incident as an example of pro-Brexit bias at the corporation.
At the end of Wednesday’s evening programme viewers were shown black and white footage of the iconic planes as newsreader Sophie Raworth summarised the prime minister’s plan to reopen Brexit talks with EU leaders.
BBC gaffe shows Theresa May travelling to Brussels in World War 2 plane
(The Telegraph,31/01/22019)
A gaffe by BBC News at Six made it look like Theresa May was travelling to Brussels to reopen talks with the EU on Brexit deal in a fleet of second world war fighter planes.
The video has been shared on social media, with users seeing the funny side.
BBC News gaffe sees Second World War footage played over Theresa May Brexit item
James Morris (Evening Standard, 31/01/2019)
This is the moment BBC News baffled viewers in a gaffe involving Theresa May's Brexit negotiations and Second World War planes.
As Wednesday’s News at Six show wrapped up, presenter Sophie Raworth reminded her audience of the night’s main news item.
“Theresa May," she announced, "says she intends to go back to Brussels to renegotiate her Brexit deal, but EU leaders say the deal is done…”