BBC Trust's ESC to Investigate

[RangersFanBase 611]

BBC to investigate Jim Spence row with Rangers fans

THE BBC has launched a standards investigation after BBC Scotland presenter Jim Spence was accused of describing Rangers as "the old club that died".

The move has come after the BBC had apologised for any offence caused by the comment, after more than 400 complaints from fans who see references to "the old club" as malicious and inaccurate.

The BBC Trust's Editorial Standards Committee are to investigate hundreds of complaints about Mr Spence's comments on Sportsound.

Fans have escalated the complaint because they were unsatisfied with BBC Scotland's response and that no apology was heard from the presenter.

Mr Spence provoked the ire of Rangers supporters after making the comment while discussing attempts to end a boardroom war by appointing four additional non-executive directors.

Three months ago, the BBC Trust's ESC ruled that BBC Scotland had breached its guidelines on accuracy in reports about the financial collapse of the holding company running Rangers.

It upheld two complaints that the corporation had been wrong to use the terms "new" and "old" club.

Mr Spence, a former law student, said during the broadcast: "John McClelland, who was the chairman of the old club, some people will tell you the club, well, the club that died, [is] possibly coming back." Mr Spence further used the term "the old club, the old regime".

Complaints director Colin Tregear has now confirmed a new investigation will be launched that will include a "review of the correspondence so far, a discussion with the programme-makers and any other enquiries that might be appropriate".

A BBC Scotland spokesman said last week: "Jim Spence did not state that the club had died but, in the context of a discussion about former board members joining the club, commented that there are some people who hold this particular view."

From the Herald.

[RFC55 110,229]

See the song the tarriers sing about novo, I'd enjoy it if it was about spence

[RangersFanBase 611]

See the song the tarriers sing about novo, I'd enjoy it if it was about spence

That's pretty dark!

[Adoniram 1,919]

He didnt have to make the comment in the first place.

All he had to say was the Ex Chairman John McLelland....he deliberately used language and rhetoric designed to be controversial.

He also worded it cleverly to make his views out to be those of others.

A poisonous bigoted little shite aided and abetted by even more bigoted shites higher up the chain.

[covenanter 158]

The real decision reference Jum will be made at the Pacific Quay CSC's next monthly meeting in the Admiral Bar, Waterloo Street. Jum's fate will be a blackboard special. I hope Jum, big Stuarty, Rheinhart, TomBhoy, Michael Grant, Spiersy, ................. et al are awarded Associate membership to the CSC and allowed to attend. It will save everybody time and money as the NUJ have a habit of meeting there too. I wonder if Paul, Phil, Angela, .....etc remove their green'ngrey scarves at the culmination of NUJ business, before conducting Pacific Quay CSC business? We should be told.

[simon 1,758]

Good to see from the BBC, hopefully they can set the record straight and we can move on.

If Jim Spence keeps his job or not is of no odds to me as I don't listen to BBC radio or anything else they broadcast from. He should, however, apologise and admit his mistake.

[gmcf 34,650]

He should have apologized and admitted he got it wrong and it would have been over.

However there is an arrogance about these people that they think they're untouchable. The BBC should hammer him and send out a clear message if their serious, they've already had their warning.

[RangersFanBase 611]

Some people are going to be sacked to be honest; This is the second time the BBC Trust is having to get involved because of fuck ups from BBC Scotland, and after BBC Scotland openly defied their bosses pretty much and the ESC, then action will be taken.

Perhaps Jim Spence and Spiers etc won't lose their jobs, but certainly those in the background allowing them to peddle this bullshit out on air, could well be out of a job soon.

[crabbit bear 139]

This just shows how deep the bitterness must be in that buiding, because for the life of me, l can't think of another company that argues with it's own customers so much. Any other company would have lost half of it's business by now and would have a closing down sign outside. But because of the license fee, these fckrs think they are bulletproof.

[1st_Jan_1994 4,868]

Good news

[ForeverBlue_Since91 2,895]

Can the BBC trust remove these cunts or does it have to be BBC Scotland? If it's BBC Scotland then their is no chance he will be sacked.

Them at BBC Scotland are going to look even more bigoted than they already do when they fight the BBC trust over this.

Jim Spence didn't need to say this even if others do think like this. He didn't to have a dig and cause a reaction. Anytime any of these cunts come out with stuff like this just complain to the BBC trust. They will get sick of it before we do.

This is exactly what the media hounded charles Green over. Things he didn't need to say and they said he played to the gallery with his comments, this is exactly the same thing.

[donnymac 115]

id like some full clarity here- cause what i heard on the original , is nothing like what we are being told now was said !

defence clause - i may have had a cuppla cold fellas

[legalbeagle 3,734]

He didnt have to make the comment in the first place.

All he had to say was the Ex Chairman John McLelland....he deliberately used language and rhetoric designed to be controversial.

He also worded it cleverly to make his views out to be those of others.

A poisonous bigoted little shite aided and abetted by even more bigoted shites higher up the chain.

This is the key point, it was said when there was no need to, and no contextual requirements. This is the point that I keep pushing on my complaints and that has not been addressed in a reply to date.

[choochooblue 342]

Jim Spence is on record as saying in his own opinion " That Rangers fans can argue the toss all they want but they are effectively a new club" , this was said the day after the EBT result as it stank of hatred and bitterness at the outcome of that result , so for this man to get away with the cheap line of "other people say" is not going to wash .

[delparlane 5,753]

If anyone actually believes that this "investigation" will have any positive results, I have a few bridges to sell to them; it is nothing but a tease with a foregone conclusion.

[HeHaw 513]

Good, about time BBC Scotland were investigated for the bullshit that goes on there. The place is run by scum, for scum. There is a girl that is a BBC Scotland sports writer who is by far, one the bitterest tim sluts I have ever met, the reason she got the job was the work she did for the celtic view. Utter fucking shambles of an organization.

[RangersFanBase 611]

If anyone actually believes that this "investigation" will have any positive results, I have a few bridges to sell to them; it is nothing but a tease with a foregone conclusion.

And that is bullshit.. Let me tell ye why

If this investigation was being conducted by BBC Scotland, then yes it'd be an absolute waste of time with a foregone conclusion, however this investigation is in the hands of THE BBC, and its trust & Editorial Standards Committee (Operating from london), now them having already upheld complaints about this situation just 3 months ago, and telling BBC Scotland that they have to report accurately and use no terms of "new club" / "old club" they just have to report it as Rangers.

Having received 400 complaints, and then escalating it further to The BBC (not BBC Scotland) the ESC, And BBC Trust are again called into action; BBC Scotland defied them once - they won't get to do it twice.

[marka1979 76]

From the Herald.

I hope that fuck gets sacked and loses his house as he cant pay the morgage. That would be funny

[Bluepeter9 5,167]

And that is bullshit.. Let me tell ye why

If this investigation was being conducted by BBC Scotland, then yes it'd be an absolute waste of time with a foregone conclusion, however this investigation is in the hands of THE BBC, and its trust & Editorial Standards Committee (Operating from london), now them having already upheld complaints about this situation just 3 months ago, and telling BBC Scotland that they have to report accurately and use no terms of "new club" / "old club" they just have to report it as Rangers.

Having received 400 complaints, and then escalating it further to The BBC (not BBC Scotland) the ESC, And BBC Trust are again called into action; BBC Scotland defied them once - they won't get to do it twice.

based on your signature - that last bit done in the Arnie Terminator voice - awesome (yep easily amused!)

[will_1974 204]

The BBC Scotland excuse will get shot down by the ESC. Spence said John McClelland, who was the chairman of the old club....

The trust has already ruled on this old club new club thing.

[Shuggy 1,308]

Hopefully get more sense out them seeing they are outside the Scottish goldfish bowl.

[TAFKA 545]

You have to wonder if any other part of the BBC is generating the hundreds and hundreds of complaints coming out of Scotland.

A root and branch review of journalistic and editorial standards is required because people like Spence think that just putting "some would say...." in front of a statement he knows to be a lie makes it OK.

I note he was trying to play for sympathy saying he and his wife (yep, some sad old slapper WAS that desperate for a shag) had been hassled by Rangers supporters while walking in the park.

Sad, sad wee man.

[RangersFanBase 611]

You have to wonder if any other part of the BBC is generating the hundreds and hundreds of complaints coming out of Scotland.

A root and branch review of journalistic and editorial standards is required because people like Spence think that just putting "some would say...." in front of a statement he knows to be a lie makes it OK.

I note he was trying to play for sympathy saying he and his wife (yep, some sad old slapper WAS that desperate for a shag) had been hassled by Rangers supporters while walking in the park.

Sad, sad wee man.

Completely agree; However it's not even been proven that Jim Spence was harassed whilst out walking with his wife, he is known for his lies, it could of easily been a ploy for sympathy with his "hundreds and thousands of backing support"

[clan macrae 292]

My daughter worked for the BBC Sportscene.She used to tell me it was full of anti-Rangers people.I never watch or listen to any of their programmes now.

[Guardian 4,281]

Some may take the view that Jim spence is a wee bigoted amateur journalist

Other may take the view he's a bitter wee shite.

However, this shows we can change things by complaining officially and putting pressure on those who control the bigots.

The higher ups have no interest in Rangers or Scotland come to that.

However they are interested in their careers and don't like being embarrassed by underlings like spence and co.

That is how to bring these gits down.

Same goes for the papers. Aim for the higher ups and advertisers that will force them to clamp these bastards.

They may defend them publicly but behind the scenes they will be kicking ass and warning them to shut it.

This shit works