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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| TV presenter in harassment claim | TV presenter in harassment claim |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Sky News presenter Kay Burley has made an allegation of harassment against Barry George, the man acquitted of Jill Dando's murder, the BBC understands. | Sky News presenter Kay Burley has made an allegation of harassment against Barry George, the man acquitted of Jill Dando's murder, the BBC understands. |
| It follows a visit by Mr George to Ms Burley's workplace in west London. | It follows a visit by Mr George to Ms Burley's workplace in west London. |
| A Scotland Yard spokeswoman confirmed a woman had made an allegation of harassment and it was investigating. | A Scotland Yard spokeswoman confirmed a woman had made an allegation of harassment and it was investigating. |
| A spokesman for Mr George, 48, of west London, said he denied harassing Ms Burley, 47, and that he was "mystified" by the allegations. | A spokesman for Mr George, 48, of west London, said he denied harassing Ms Burley, 47, and that he was "mystified" by the allegations. |
| Ms Burley has been off work since Tuesday. A Sky spokesman said she hoped to return to work soon. Kay has been off work for a couple of days. But she's fine and we expect her back soon Sky spokesman | Ms Burley has been off work since Tuesday. A Sky spokesman said she hoped to return to work soon. Kay has been off work for a couple of days. But she's fine and we expect her back soon Sky spokesman |
| Ms Burley interviewed Mr George after he was acquitted at a retrial in August of the murder of BBC TV presenter Miss Dando, 37, who was shot dead on her doorstep in Fulham, west London, in 1999. | |
| During that trial, the jury heard Mr George had watched, followed and photographed single women in his neighbourhood on a number of occasions. | During that trial, the jury heard Mr George had watched, followed and photographed single women in his neighbourhood on a number of occasions. |
| It also heard he has a conviction for attempted rape and was once discovered attempting to break into Kensington Palace, then the home of Diana, Princess of Wales. | It also heard he has a conviction for attempted rape and was once discovered attempting to break into Kensington Palace, then the home of Diana, Princess of Wales. |
| In interviews after his acquittal, Mr George said he could not have killed Miss Dando because he was stalking another woman at the time of the shooting, but said he would not be following women anymore. | |
| Two weeks ago Mr George, 48, visited Sky News headquarters in Osterley, west London, to request a copy of his interview with the broadcaster. | |
| A Sky source told the BBC: "Barry George came to the building and asked for a copy of the interview. Kay was not in that day and he didn't get past reception." | A Sky source told the BBC: "Barry George came to the building and asked for a copy of the interview. Kay was not in that day and he didn't get past reception." |
| 'No truth' | 'No truth' |
| Mr George's spokesman said he had not been interviewed by the police about the allegations. | Mr George's spokesman said he had not been interviewed by the police about the allegations. |
| The spokesman said: "Barry says that he has done nothing wrong and as far as he is concerned there is no truth in these allegations whatsoever. | The spokesman said: "Barry says that he has done nothing wrong and as far as he is concerned there is no truth in these allegations whatsoever. |
| "He wanted a tape of the interview that Kay Burley had done with him and he went to pick it up from Sky HQ. | "He wanted a tape of the interview that Kay Burley had done with him and he went to pick it up from Sky HQ. |
| "It was all open and above board and he told everyone he was going. When he got there he didn't ask to see Kay. He made a request for the tape and then went away. | "It was all open and above board and he told everyone he was going. When he got there he didn't ask to see Kay. He made a request for the tape and then went away. |
| "Sky News have co-operated fully with him and have sent him the tape he asked for." | "Sky News have co-operated fully with him and have sent him the tape he asked for." |
| The spokesman said that Mr George had not attempted to meet or telephone Ms Burley since the interview took place in August. | The spokesman said that Mr George had not attempted to meet or telephone Ms Burley since the interview took place in August. |
| 'Collapsed in newsroom' | 'Collapsed in newsroom' |
| Ms Burley, who presents an afternoon news show for Sky, has not been seen on screen since she reportedly collapsed in the newsroom on Tuesday. | Ms Burley, who presents an afternoon news show for Sky, has not been seen on screen since she reportedly collapsed in the newsroom on Tuesday. |
| An ambulance and paramedics were called, but Ms Burley was not taken to hospital. | An ambulance and paramedics were called, but Ms Burley was not taken to hospital. |
| A Sky spokesman said: "Kay has been off work for a couple of days. But she's fine and we expect her back soon." | A Sky spokesman said: "Kay has been off work for a couple of days. But she's fine and we expect her back soon." |
| Privately, Sky sources are attempting to tone down newspaper speculation that stress caused by the alleged harassment may have been directly responsible for her illness. | Privately, Sky sources are attempting to tone down newspaper speculation that stress caused by the alleged harassment may have been directly responsible for her illness. |
| Said a source: "People are saying the two things are linked, but that is not necessarily the case. The truth is that Kay has been feeling unwell and needs to rest for a couple of days." | Said a source: "People are saying the two things are linked, but that is not necessarily the case. The truth is that Kay has been feeling unwell and needs to rest for a couple of days." |