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BBC producer's death was unlawful BBC producer's death was unlawful
(10 minutes later)
An inquest into the death of a BBC producer shot dead outside a hotel while on assignment in Somalia has found she was unlawfully killed. An inquest into the death of a BBC producer shot outside a hotel while on assignment in Somalia has found she was unlawfully killed.
Kate Peyton, 39, of Beyton, Suffolk, was shot in Mogadishu in February 2005.Kate Peyton, 39, of Beyton, Suffolk, was shot in Mogadishu in February 2005.
At the inquest held at Ipswich Crown Court, Greater Suffolk coroner Peter Dean said he would be writing to the BBC on the matter. At the inquest held at Ipswich Crown Court, Greater Suffolk coroner Dr Peter Dean said he would be writing to the BBC on the matter.
Ms Peyton was in the country with reporter Peter Greste to cover aspects of the war-torn state's development. Ms Peyton family said they hoped the lessons learned from the inquest would improve safety for all journalists.
The coroner urged the BBC to ensure that journalists whose contracts were under review should not feel pressure to travel to dangerous areas. The coroner urged the BBC to ensure that staff whose contracts were under review should not feel pressure to travel to dangerous areas.
Earlier the inquest hard from Ishbel Matheson, ex-BBC East Africa correspondent, who questioned why Ms Peyton was there. 'Job on the line'
She said Ms Peyton went for "a couple of features for World Service TV... and a couple of colour features". Dr Dean said there were lessons to be learned from the death of Ms Peyton, who was shot in the back on the streets of Mogadishu, Somalia, in February 2005.
'Hostile environment' He said managers had to recognise that staff had an overriding right to turn down dangerous jobs, regardless of any fears they might have for their future employment.
Ms Matheson, who was based in Nairobi between 2001 and 2005, said: "For me it is a question really, was it worth it to go for basically that kind of colour story." Dr Dean said his observations did not imply that the BBC was liable.
She told the inquest that although she was based in Africa for a long time, she was "always very reluctant to go to Somalia". He praised the BBC's risk assessment procedures as "good" and "careful" but said he hoped that evidence aired at the inquest would help prevent future tragedies.
We are gratified that the coroner has been able to offer some advice as to how the BBC might improve its treatment of journalists Peyton family statement
"It is clear on the evidence we have heard that Kate didn't want to go to Mogadishu," said Dr Dean.
"What is also abundantly clear is that she only took the assignment because she felt if she didn't take the assignment, the chances of getting that contract renewed would be damaged and she needed that contract for personal reasons.
"She felt that her job would be on the line if she didn't take it. That's not necessarily what would have happened. We shall never know."
After the inquest, the Peyton family said in a statement: "We are gratified that after nearly four years, the coroner has been able to offer some advice as to how the BBC might improve its treatment of journalists asked to undertake dangerous assignments."
Ms Peyton, who was based in Johannesburg, South Africa, had travelled to the war-ravaged country with freelance reporter Peter Greste because the BBC felt that the story of Somalia's development was "important".Ms Peyton, who was based in Johannesburg, South Africa, had travelled to the war-ravaged country with freelance reporter Peter Greste because the BBC felt that the story of Somalia's development was "important".
She was shot in the back as she got into a car outside a hotel a few hours after she had arrived in Mogadishu.
BBC safety advisors had classed Somalia as a "category one hostile environment" and accepted the need for journalists to travel with local armed soldiers.BBC safety advisors had classed Somalia as a "category one hostile environment" and accepted the need for journalists to travel with local armed soldiers.
The inquest heard that minders were not warned Ms Peyton and other journalists were leaving the hotel.The inquest heard that minders were not warned Ms Peyton and other journalists were leaving the hotel.