Complaint
In a discussion about Labour鈥檚 policy on the two child benefit cap, the presenter of the programme said 鈥We also know though, in terms of internal Labour party management, the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has said he would like to see the two child cap scrapped immediately as well鈥.聽 A listener complained this was inaccurate, Mr Sarwar having maintained throughout the general election campaign that, while he wanted the cap to be scrapped, it could not be done until the financial situation improved.聽 The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the 麻豆社鈥檚 editorial standards of accuracy.
Outcome
Although some commentators had discerned a difference of emphasis, or even a split, between the position of the Scottish Labour Party and the Prime Minister on this issue, the ECU found no evidence that Mr Sarwar has said the cap should be scrapped immediately, and agreed there had been a breach of the 麻豆社鈥檚 standards of accuracy.聽 The ECU noted that this had been acknowledged by 麻豆社 Scotland in correspondence with the complainant.聽 The usual expectation, however, is that missteps of this kind will be acknowledged publicly by the 麻豆社.聽 As that had not happened in this instance, the ECU upheld the complaint.
Upheld
Further action
The finding was reported to the management of 麻豆社 Scotland and discussed with the programme-makers concerned.