BBC Apologise for Band Aid Money Claims

The BBC has apologised to the Band Aid charity for "misleading" the public after a number of its news outlets reported in March that money raised by the charity had been used to buy arms in Ethiopia.

The original report by the BBC's World Service's 'Assignment' programme claimed millions of pounds of charity money had been diverted by rebel forces. The show didn't name Band Aid but other outlets including Radio 4, BBC News and the BBC News website went on to suggest the charity's money had been involved.

In response the Band Aid Trust filed a complaint with the BBC and now after a prolonged investigation the corporation has concluded there was no evidence to substantiate the claim.

A statement issued by the BBC said, "'Assignment' did not make the allegation that relief aid provided by Band Aid was diverted. However the BBC acknowledges that this impression could have been taken from the programme. We also acknowledge that some of our related reporting of the story reinforced this perception."

The BBC also apologised to Bob Geldof after implying the Band Aid trustee was reluctant to talk about the matter "because he thought the subject too sensitive to be discussed openly."

Speaking to the BBC, Geldof said, "This was an unusual lapse in standards by the broadcaster and, most critically, the World Service. It was Michael Buerk's frontline reports for the BBC from Ethiopia which prompted me to act and establish Band Aid in the first place and I recognise the important journalistic and humanitarian role the BBC has played in our story."

He concluded, "We welcome the BBC's apologies and hope that the public corrections can begin to repair some of the appalling damage done, and move forward."

Further apologies will be made on-air by those BBC outlets that broadcast the original claims.