BBC forced to shelve Maxwell film at 11th hour
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.DAVID HELLIER and
MATHEW HORSMAN
Lawyers acting for Kevin Maxwell succeeded last night in preventing the broadcast of a controversial documentary on Robert Maxwell, only hours before it was to be transmitted at 9.30pm on BBC 1.
Keith Oliver, a solicitor acting for Mr Maxwell, asked the Attorney General's office to pre-empt the programme, in the light of possible charges that still could be brought, following Mr Maxwell's acquittal last week on charges of defrauding the Maxwell company pension funds.
Mr Oliver said it was appropriate to seek advice from the Attorney General on the broadcast, "at a time when a dec- ision is still being made by the Serious Fraud Office as to whether additional charges will be brought against Kevin Maxwell".
A BBC spokeswoman said last night: "I can confirm that the Attorney General has been in touch with the BBC and that the programme has been postponed for legal reasons."
Mr Maxwell and his brother, Ian, were last week acquitted of charges of defrauding the Maxwell pension funds. The SFO is now considering whether to bring additional charges against Kevin Maxwell and others involved.
"We expressed to the Attorney General our considerable anxiety over a programme about which we know little," Mr Oliver said.
The documentary, produced by Tom Bower, author of book highly critical of Robert Maxwell, replaced the first of a two-part Panorama series on the modern welfare state.
A BBC spokeswoman said that the programme "contained footage of Mr Maxwell, and included scenes from his last days at sea." She said the programme "reveals how he died".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments