Sky reporter took his life after row over fake footage
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.The Sky News reporter James Forlong committed suicide when he lost his job after making false claims in a television report, an inquest was told yesterday.
Forlong, 44, hanged himself using a black leather belt in the study of his home in Hove, East Sussex. He pushed a cabinet against the door to make sure that no one would find him until he was dead. The inquest at Bright-on coroner's court was told that the journalist's wife, Elaine, discovered him in the early hours of 4 October. The couple's son, Chris, who has Down's syndrome, woke up and she had sought her husband's help to put him back to sleep.
She said: "My husband was a good and gentle man and I'm not sure I will ever fully understand the manner of his death."
Forlong did not leave a suicide note in the house, or on his computer, but Veronica Hamilton-Deeley, the coroner, recorded a verdict of suicide after hearing details of the circumstances surrounding the case.
Forlong had worked for Sky News for 10 years but resigned in July because parts of a report he had filed in March were misleading. His report screened on Sky on 29 March showed a Cruise missile being launched from a Royal Navy submarine in the Gulf, with crew apparently carrying out the operation. In fact, the crew were on a practice run and file footage of a missile being fired was used.
The story came to light because a BBC crew was also filming on HMS Splendid making a series called Fighting the War. Sky executives investigated the incident and Forlong handed in his notice on 18 July.
He subsequently applied for a job as a press officer for the Prince of Wales, but was unsuccessful. Friends said that the rejection was the final straw.
Ms Hamilton-Deeley said that Forlong should be remembered for his "dedicated, professional and accurate work" over the years.
"I imagine that for journalists, work is a way of life and for him it was a passion. He was an award-winning journalist," she said. "He made a mistake and as a result he lost not only his job but one of the passions in life. We all make mistakes and he acknowledged his, which was a very brave thing to do considering all the publicity."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments