The BBC has apologised after suggesting a partially deaf Conservative MP was asleep during a debate on the trade union bill when he was in fact trying to listen to a speaker.
Pictures from BBC Parliament of Elmet & Rothwell MP Alec Shelbrooke began circulating on Twitter, prompting the BBC Newsbeat account to tweet on Tuesday morning that the image of the MP “resting his eyes is going viral”.
After the mistake was flagged, the original tweet was deleted and the BBC put out an apology from the account.
Very heartfelt apologies to @alecshelbrooke MP. He is partially deaf and was listening to a speaker. pic.twitter.com/CSvocBZ9qT
— BBC Newsbeat (@BBCNewsbeat) September 15, 2015
Shelbrooke describes himself as a trade unionist and spoke about the history of trade unionism during the debate. In subsequent images he can be seen opening his eyes while in the same position near the speaker.
And here with his eyes wide open in the same position. I'm afraid it appears @AlecShelbrooke has been misrepresented. pic.twitter.com/bIenHhiB8N
— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) September 15, 2015
Shelbrooke has since retweeted articles correcting the error and the apology.
His account, @AlecShelbrooke was trending at Tuesday lunchtime, with many still suggesting he was asleep, and others leaping to his defence and criticising Newsbeat for the mistake.
@BBCNewsbeat @AlecShelbrooke the fact that you didn't know those were speakers troubles me. Such a shame nation's broadcaster quick to smear
— Oliver Dobbs (@OliverDobbs) September 15, 2015
@ChrisNickson2 @Martinush66 @retalsp @AlecShelbrooke he wasn't asleep - he is partially deaf and was listening to the speaker...
— Philip Peacock (@ppeacock2) September 15, 2015
.@AlecShelbrooke saga is example of when cynicism goes too far. Instead of noting 'oh MPs work until 10pm', we assume 'jobsworth was asleep'
— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) September 15, 2015
