Media
The Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, said today that the BBC's decision to pay convicted burglar Brendan Fearon around £4,000 to appear in a docu-drama was "disgusting."
Brendon Fearon was one of three men who burgled farmer Tony Martin in 1999. Fearon was shot and wounded by Martin. His accomplice Fred Barras was killed.
Speaking to Radio 4's Any Questions programme, Lord Falconer said that the payment represented a "disgusting warping of values" and was a "weak decision."
The BBC's official response said that the payment was justifiable because Fearon is "the only person apart from Tony Martin who is alive and a witness to what happened," and that Fearon's contribution would therefore "ensure that the programme is properly balanced and as full a picture as is possible."
Brendon Fearon was one of three men who burgled farmer Tony Martin in 1999. Fearon was shot and wounded by Martin. His accomplice Fred Barras was killed.
Speaking to Radio 4's Any Questions programme, Lord Falconer said that the payment represented a "disgusting warping of values" and was a "weak decision."
The BBC's official response said that the payment was justifiable because Fearon is "the only person apart from Tony Martin who is alive and a witness to what happened," and that Fearon's contribution would therefore "ensure that the programme is properly balanced and as full a picture as is possible."
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