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BBC Panorama producer resigns after developer's 'bribery' allegation BBC Panorama producer resigns after developer's 'bribery' allegation
(6 months later)
The producer at the centre of Panorama bribery allegations has left the BBC as it emerged that Harlequin, the luxury Caribbean property developer that lodged the complaint with the corporation, is to take its grievance to the police.The producer at the centre of Panorama bribery allegations has left the BBC as it emerged that Harlequin, the luxury Caribbean property developer that lodged the complaint with the corporation, is to take its grievance to the police.
Last week the BBC suspended Matthew Chapman, a member of the Panorama production team working on a programme about Harlequin, after the company lodged a complaint that he had offered a security consultant a bribe for information.Last week the BBC suspended Matthew Chapman, a member of the Panorama production team working on a programme about Harlequin, after the company lodged a complaint that he had offered a security consultant a bribe for information.
The BBC, which has never confirmed the name of the individual at the centre of the allegations, said on Friday that a member of staff has left the corporation.The BBC, which has never confirmed the name of the individual at the centre of the allegations, said on Friday that a member of staff has left the corporation.
"We have accepted the resignation of a member of staff who had recently been suspended following a complaint made to Panorama," said a spokesman for the BBC."We have accepted the resignation of a member of staff who had recently been suspended following a complaint made to Panorama," said a spokesman for the BBC.
Harlequin, which issued a strongly worded statement last Thursday naming the Panorama producer as Matthew Chapman, said that it is contacting the police about the allegations.Harlequin, which issued a strongly worded statement last Thursday naming the Panorama producer as Matthew Chapman, said that it is contacting the police about the allegations.
"We have been advised by our lawyers that we should now take the next step and report Matthew Chapman to the police," said a spokesman for the company."We have been advised by our lawyers that we should now take the next step and report Matthew Chapman to the police," said a spokesman for the company.
He added that Harlequin has not "been updated" by the BBC on the status of its complaint.He added that Harlequin has not "been updated" by the BBC on the status of its complaint.
A BBC spokesman said that the corporation was still investigating Harlequin's complaint about Panorama and remained hopeful that it might be able to broadcast the programme, which was scheduled to air last month.A BBC spokesman said that the corporation was still investigating Harlequin's complaint about Panorama and remained hopeful that it might be able to broadcast the programme, which was scheduled to air last month.
"We are still looking at the facts behind the complaint made by Harlequin and hope that the film will be broadcast in due course," he said."We are still looking at the facts behind the complaint made by Harlequin and hope that the film will be broadcast in due course," he said.
Harlequin alleges that Chapman had attempted to "induce [Harlequin consultant] Mr [Sean] Ghent into disclosing information about Harlequin in return for the potential reward of future work from the BBC".Harlequin alleges that Chapman had attempted to "induce [Harlequin consultant] Mr [Sean] Ghent into disclosing information about Harlequin in return for the potential reward of future work from the BBC".
The company added that other staff had received similar communications from the BBC producer and said it was "shocked" by this "highly improper" behaviour.The company added that other staff had received similar communications from the BBC producer and said it was "shocked" by this "highly improper" behaviour.
"In short, it appears to be tantamount to an attempted bribe," Harlequin said last week."In short, it appears to be tantamount to an attempted bribe," Harlequin said last week.
The BBC's anti-bribery policy states: "The BBC takes a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and is committed to acting professionally, fairly and with integrity in all its business dealings and relationships wherever it operates. The BBC is committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems to counter bribery.''The BBC's anti-bribery policy states: "The BBC takes a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and is committed to acting professionally, fairly and with integrity in all its business dealings and relationships wherever it operates. The BBC is committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems to counter bribery.''
The Bribery Act 2010 outlaws financial offers to a person in the knowledge that acceptance would constitute "improper performance'' of their duties.The Bribery Act 2010 outlaws financial offers to a person in the knowledge that acceptance would constitute "improper performance'' of their duties.
There was sympathy among some staff about what has happened to Chapman, an award-winning producer.There was sympathy among some staff about what has happened to Chapman, an award-winning producer.
"Matthew was a good investigative journalist who made a mistake," said one insider. "He was one of their most experienced producers/directors and recently won a Bafta for Panorama's much-lauded care home investigation.""Matthew was a good investigative journalist who made a mistake," said one insider. "He was one of their most experienced producers/directors and recently won a Bafta for Panorama's much-lauded care home investigation."
Last month the Serious Fraud Office and Essex police launched a joint investigation into complaints relating to Harlequin.Last month the Serious Fraud Office and Essex police launched a joint investigation into complaints relating to Harlequin.
Thousands of investors have put as much as £200m into a scheme run by the Essex-based company, which builds luxury villas on islands including St Lucia, Barbados and Dominican Republic.Thousands of investors have put as much as £200m into a scheme run by the Essex-based company, which builds luxury villas on islands including St Lucia, Barbados and Dominican Republic.
The SFO has opened an online questionnaire asking investors for details about their introduction to the group and their experience.The SFO has opened an online questionnaire asking investors for details about their introduction to the group and their experience.
In January the Financial Services Authority issued an alert to financial advisers about investing large sums of clients money in Harlequin's overseas property.In January the Financial Services Authority issued an alert to financial advisers about investing large sums of clients money in Harlequin's overseas property.
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