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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Politics

BBC News gaffe sees Second World War footage played over Theresa May Brexit item

A BBC gaffe saw footage of Second World War planes played over a news item about Theresa May (Picture: BBC)

This is the moment BBC News baffled viewers in a gaffe involving Theresa May's Brexit negotiations and Second World War planes.

As Wednesday’s News at Six show wrapped up, presenter Sophie Raworth reminded her audience of the night’s main news item.

“Theresa May," she announced, "says she intends to go back to Brussels to renegotiate her Brexit deal, but EU leaders say the deal is done…”

But as Ms Raworth mentioned the Prime Minister’s name, the screen instead cut to archive footage of Second World War planes in the sky.

A BBC gaffe saw footage of Second World War planes played over a news item about Theresa May (BBC)

The camera then cut back to the presenter, who did not acknowledge the error.

BBC News at Six editor Paul Royall said it was a "simple human error". He tweeted: "A production mistake meant pictures used earlier to tease story about Biggin Hill ended up in our top story recap at close of show. If and when it happens pretty certain PM not travelling to Brussels like this."

Theresa May: going back to Brussels, not in time (AFP/Getty Images)

It did not take long for the blunder to spread on social media, even attracting the mirth of BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine.

“Whatever happens,” he tweeted, “don't combine the headline about Theresa May returning to Brussels with that World War Two footage...

“Too late.”

Nick Frost said: “Well it does feel a bit like we’re going back to the olden days.”

And Ray Godwin tweeted: “According to BBC News tonight, Theresa May has headed to Brussels with a squadron of Spitfires! Tally Ho, Tally Ho.”

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