A BBC programme about the future of the monarchy has sparked an angry response from Buckingham Palace, with one royal official describing the TV report as an inaccurate "diatribe". In a rare move, the Queen's press secretary has sent a letter to the network complaining about the report.
A royal official told the The Sunday Telegraph: "The programme was inaccurate and extremely biased. Our letter takes the BBC to task and criticises it for broadcasting a diatribe against the monarchy."
Sunday's edition of the BBC1 show On The Record, presented by BBC reporter Gloria De Piero, included references to polls showing low public support for the monarchy and described the Golden Jubilee as "spectacular but expensive". Ms De Piero also stated: "An embarrassing court case, allegations of rape and rumours that you're raising cash on the side are bound to spoil the festivities."
Later in the report, criticism about the Civil List – the payments made by Parliament for the Royal Family's expenses – did not mention the Queen's reforms to the Civil List or her decision to pay income tax ten years ago. Republicans and Left-wing labour MPs were also interviewed during the programme, with one MP saying the popularity of the monarchy had "collapsed in ruins" after recent scandals.
The Sunday Telegraph reveals that the royal complaint, which takes issue with the BBC for not seeking a "right of reply" from Buckingham Palace and for not properly checking facts, was sent by the Queen's press secretary Penny Russell-Smith to On The Record editor David Jordan. The letter was apparently written with the knowledge and support of the Queen's private office.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
