BBC journalist sacked for representing Hells Angels
Posted
by
Press Gazette
on 14 January 2010
at 16:56
Tags: BBC, Broadcast
A BBC journalist has been sacked for a conflict of interest after it was discovered he had acted as a spokesman for the Hell’s Angels, reports the Daily Mail and others.
Steve Jones, a BBC television and radio news correspondent for mid-Wales, used his code-name ‘Echo’ to publicly criticise the police’s handling of a bikers’ festival while on leave from the corporation.
Jones had worked at the BBC for over 20 years, and colleagues recognised his distinctive voice after interviews on Radio 4 and Radio 5 Live defending the Angels brotherhood.
The BBC’s code of conduct says journalists must disclose their interests and get permission before representing outside organisations.
