IOPC Slams BBC Panorama Over Chris Kaba Episode
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has slammed BBC Panorama, lodging a formal complaint with Ofcom. The watchdog claims a recent episode caused “serious reputational damage” following the fallout from the shooting of Chris Kaba.
Panorama Accused of Misleading Claims
The row centres on Panorama’s broadcast featuring Sal Naseem, the IOPC’s former regional director, who suggested the decision to launch a murder investigation into the officer who shot Kaba was influenced by fears of public disorder. The IOPC furiously denies this and says it was denied a chance to respond before the show aired.
Chris Kaba, 24, an unarmed Black man, was shot dead in September 2022 during a police stop in Streatham Hill, south London. Sgt Martyn Blake, the firearms officer who shot him, was charged with murder but acquitted by a jury in October 2024. Kaba’s death sparked nationwide protests and demands for justice.
IOPC Demands BBC Apology – But BBC Refuses
During Panorama, Naseem claimed: “It was fed back to us… that if we hadn’t at that time then it’s likely there would have been a level of disorder.” The IOPC rejects any suggestion its actions were politically or socially motivated.
The watchdog requested that BBC publicly apologise and clarify Naseem no longer works there. The BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) admitted breaching editorial guidelines by not giving the IOPC prior notice of the serious allegations. The BBC later edited the episode on iPlayer and updated online content with the IOPC’s statement.
“The decisions to criminally investigate Sergeant Blake, and then refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), followed careful consideration of a significant amount of evidence gathered during our independent investigation and by applying the relevant legal tests which govern our work.”
Despite this, the IOPC remains unhappy. It said on Thursday:
“Despite admitting these two breaches of its own guidelines, the BBC has steadfastly refused to apologise publicly despite the IOPC providing evidence to show the serious reputational damage caused to the organisation as a result of the programme.”
“In particular, the suggestion within that programme, that the IOPC was pressured to start a homicide investigation, was wrong and resulted in public criticism… including concerns raised by the London Assembly and local councillors about the IOPC’s independence and motivations.”
Trust at Risk, IOPC Escalates to Ofcom
Claiming public trust in its impartiality has been damaged, the IOPC has now taken the matter to Ofcom. The BBC insists the issue was an editorial “oversight” and says the complaint is “resolved” following amendments.
Naseem, while accepting the jury’s decision to clear Sgt Blake, stands by the IOPC’s choice to refer the case to CPS, saying it was the right call based on the evidence at the time.
The controversy exposes ongoing tensions over police accountability and how sensitive cases involving Black victims are covered by the media.
