Bumbling BBC officials label reporter John Sweeney UKIP LEADER in embarrassing gaffe
BLUNDERING BBC officials were left red-faced after reporter John Sweeney was labelled the Ukip leader in Wales.
John Sweeney was wrongly labelled the
The investigative journalist was reporting outside the Strasbourg hospital that Steven Woolfe had been rushed to following an "altercation" with a fellow Ukip MEP when the on-screen caption displayed Sweeney as Ukip's leader in the Welsh Assembly.
Mr Sweeney remained blissfully unaware of the blunder and continued to deliver his report outside the hospital.
Steven Woolfe, left, has announced he wants to run for the Ukip leadership
But the caption writer’s gaffe was not missed by eagle-eyed viewers who were quick to point out the mistake on social media.
Laurence Rickard tweeted a picture of Sweeney with the caption reading: "Ehm… since when?"
Leon Byford also posted a similar picture with a caption that read: "#Newsnight's John Sweeney is 'UKIP leader in Wales'. That's a conflict of interest if ever I did see one!"
I understand there was an argument between some MEPs and Steven, I think, picked a fight with one of them and came off worst
Even Newsnight's editor appeared to enjoy the error, tweeting: "Delighted to learn @johnsweeneyroar has been promoted to UKIP leader in Wales. Good luck Wales... #newsnight."
Neil Hamilton, Ukip's official leader in Wales, has been blasted for his comments which appeared to blame Steven Woolfe for the injuries he sustained during the alleged “scuffle" in Strasbourg yesterday.
The 67-year-old said: “I understand there was an argument between some MEPs and Steven, I think, picked a fight with one of them and came off worst."
BBC newsreader wears VERY low cut dress on air
There also appeared to be more caption blunders during the episode as viewers seemed divided on whether a question mark was wrongly added onto the name of gay writer and broadcaster "Stewart Who?"
The writer's name appeared on-screen with a question mark at the end of Mr Who's name – sending social media into a frenzy.
Social media users were unsure about a Newsnight guest's name
Andrew Murphy tweeted: "Stewart Who? ... is his name really followed by a ? Greatest name ever! #Newsnight."
Daniel Mahony said: "Who's Stewart Who? #newsnight."