THE BBC has come under renewed fire for its coverage surrounding the conviction of child sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.
The latest criticism has focused on reporting on Radio 4’s Today programme, which interviewed Ghislaine Maxwell’s brother Ian in the wake of her criminal conviction.
With his sister facing decades behind bars after being found guilty of five charges linked to the sex trafficking of minors, Ian Maxwell was asked about his views on the case.
While the full interview with the brother of the convicted wasn’t aired, segments were played on each news bulletin, and a longer segment was run with the journalist who had conducted the interview.
READ MORE: BBC admits interview with Jeffrey Epstein's lawyer 'did not meet editorial standards'
It was reported after Ghislaine Maxwell’s conviction that her family would launch an appeal, with her brother Kevin saying he believed “that she will ultimately be vindicated”.
Ian Maxwell spoke to Radio 4 about this forthcoming appeal, saying it would be based on the trial which convicted his sister having been “unfair”.
Explaining Maxwell’s views, the BBC presenter said the appeal would follow the arguments made by Ghislaine Maxwell’s lawyers. These were that the victims had somehow misremembered events, or that Jeffrey Epstein was the true monster and Ghislaine Maxwell simply another victim.
While much of Ian Maxwell’s contribution was paraphrased, he could be heard to say: “I’m not saying that [the victims] are lying, it may well be that they were victims of Jeffrey Epstein, but I do not accept that they were victims of Ghislaine. That’s my position and that’s also her position.”
The BBC programme made it clear that the Maxwells’ appeal would have to present something “huge” to overturn the conviction, and that no legal experts they had spoken to believed such a procedural failure existed.
They said the jury had already considered the points raised by Ian Maxwell, and concluded that the victims were telling the truth and that the evidence showed Ghislaine Maxwell was a “sexual predator in her own right”.
The interview with Ian Maxwell sparked outrage, with many questioning whether the families of other convicted sexual predators would also be given slots to defend the guilty party.
SNP MP John Nicolson said: “Another odd decision by the BBC post #GhislaineMaxwellTrial - this time to allow her brother Ian Maxwell a lengthy opportunity to tell #r4today that her victims are lying.
“Are we to assume that all high profile, well connected sex offenders will now be allowed to use a high profile BBC platform to attack witnesses post conviction?”
Are we to assume that all high profile, well connected sex offenders will now be allowed to use a high profile BBC platform to attack witnesses post conviction? #GhislaineMaxwellTrial #r4today https://t.co/uN2Px34hCe
— JOHN NICOLSON M.P. (@MrJohnNicolson) December 31, 2021
Good Morning Britain’s Adil Ray wrote: “BBC and others running interview by brother of convicted #ghislainemaxwell, claiming her innocence.
“In 2011, when I filmed a doc on the sexual exploitation of young girls by some Pakistani men it would not have been acceptable to hear a defence from their brothers. Why is it ok now?”
LibDem peer Meral Hussein-Ece added: “#GhislaineMaxwell's brother is given a platform on #r4today to proclaim his sisters innocence- incredibly based on no evidence other than 'my own view'.
"Trying to recall last time the defenders of anyone convicted of a serious crime were offered such an opportunity on BBC News.”
#GhislaineMaxwell's brother is given a platform on #r4today to proclaim his sisters innocence- incredibly based on no evidence other than "my own view" Trying to recall last time the defenders of anyone convicted of a serious crime were offered such an opportunity on @BBCNews
— Baroness Hussein-Ece 😷 (@meralhece) December 31, 2021
A BBC spokesperson said: "The BBC has covered the guilty verdict against Ghislaine Maxwell extensively, including interviews with her victims on multiple outlets.
"The interview on the Today Programme with Ian Maxwell was about the family’s decision to appeal the verdict; he was robustly challenged and his arguments were critiqued directly afterwards by a barrister."
The news follows criticism of the broadcaster for platforming Alan Dershowitz, Epstein’s former lawyer who is facing the same accusations as Prince Andrew.
Dershowitz was allowed to attack his accuser without challenge in a news segment which sparked outrage and led the BBC to concede that it had failed to meet its own editorial standards.
BBC News also came under fire for a story which positioned Ghislaine Maxwell as a “favourite daughter”. After backlash on social media from prominent figures including Janey Godley, the corporation quietly had the article changed.
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