Ofcom Partially Upholds IOPC Complaint Over BBC's Chris Kaba Documentary

Ofcom has partially supported a complaint from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) concerning a Panorama segment about the shooting of Chris Kaba. The documentary featured assertions from Sal Naseem, the former IOPC London regional director, who claimed that a murder inquiry into the officer who shot Kaba was initiated due to concerns about potential public unrest. The IOPC refuted this and raised objections after its statement was excluded from the initial airing, with the BBC declining to issue a public apology. Kaba was shot by officer Martyn Blake in Streatham in September 2022, and a murder investigation was launched four days later. Blake was acquitted of murder in October 2024 at the Old Bailey and is awaiting disciplinary action. Ofcom determined that, although the program was fair regarding Naseem's remarks, the IOPC was not adequately allowed to address criticisms from former Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Neil Basu and ex-armed officer Tony Long. The BBC acknowledged the ruling and indicated that it had incorporated the IOPC's statement into the iPlayer version. IOPC director-general Rachel Watson expressed approval of the ruling, asserting that the IOPC was treated unjustly and that the BBC was held accountable.