BBC viewers outraged at 'insensitive' Stanley Johnson announcement during COVID-19 update
THE BBC faced a backlash from viewers on Wednesday after inadvertently running an inappropriate news banner during the daily Downing Street press conference.
Boris Johnson baby: Carrie Symonds gives birth to boy
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced the coronavirus mortality rates for the UK with a breaking news banner saying: “Coronavirus: Downing Street briefing. PHE: 26,097 people have died in all UK settings”. But at the same time another banner was concurrently displayed, which broke the news of Stanley Johnson’s delight at the birth of another grandchild. The banner said: “Stanley Johnson is ‘absolutely delighted’ at news of grandchild.”
The jarring juxtaposition of news items was blasted by viewers, who took to social media to express their disgust.
One wrote: "If I may be blunt for a moment, the news banner at the bottom of the screen is massively inappropriate given the news above it.
“I couldn’t give any less of a f*** about how Stanley Johnson feels.
“26,097 deaths.”
Dear BBC,
— Andrew (@officialDB3K) April 29, 2020
It's not really the time to tell us how delighted Stanley Johnson is. Show some tact.
Yours
The nation pic.twitter.com/3I3jThINO0
Another huffed: “Exactly the reason that I, and lots like me, stopped paying the BBC Tax.”
While a third commented: “Looks like the BBC algorithm has a dark sense of humour.”
Boris Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds announced the birth of their son on Wednesday.
It is understood that the prime minister was present throughout the birth of his baby boy, before returning to work at Downing Street.
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A spokeswoman for the couple said both mother and baby “are doing very well”.
Downing Street declined to give any more details, nor did they reveal whether the baby was born prematurely.
The couple expressed their thanks to “the fantastic NHS maternity team,” number 10 said.
Mr Johnson and his partner received the well-wishes of prominent political figures from within the UK and around the world.
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The Queen also sent her congratulations and was due to talk to Mr Johnson by phone.
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison and Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe were among the first international leaders to congratulate Britain’s first couple.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock wrote on social media: “So thrilled for Boris and Carrie.
“Wonderful to have a moment of unalloyed joy!"
The Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, also took the opportunity to send his best wishes during Prime Minister’s Questions.
Sir Keir said that irrespective of their political differences, “as human beings I think we all recognise the anxiety that the prime minister and Carrie must have gone through in these past few weeks - unimaginable anxiety.
"I really hope that this brings them incredible relief and joy."
Mr Johnson has four children in their 20s from his second marriage to barrister Marina Wheeler, with whom he has reportedly reached a divorce settlement.