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BBC presenter apologises for misquoting Nigel Farage Just now Share Save Add as preferred on Google Steven McIntosh Entertainment reporter BBC Matt Chorley apologised and said he had "misremembered" the quote from Nigel Farage BBC presenter Matt Chorley has apologised for misquoting Nigel Farage during an interview about the murder of Henry Nowak. The Reform leader said in an online video on Tuesday that the public should respond to the killing of 18-year-old Nowak with "pure cold rage". But in an interview with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch on Tuesday's episode of BBC Two's Newsnight, Chorley said Farage had used the phrase "white cold rage". Reform argued this implied a racial element to what Farage had said and changed his meaning. Chorley apologised and said the error was "a mistake on my part". Writing on X on Wednesday, Chorley said: "I owe Nigel Farage an apology. "During last night's Newsnight, we covered the murder of Henry Nowak and the political reaction to the case, including discussing Nigel Farage's comments about 'pure, cold rage'. However I referred to 'white cold rage'. "This was a mistake on my part, a misremembering of the quote. It didn't change the content of the interview but I should have got the quote right. I apologise to Nigel Farage for this." Chorley gave the wrong quote on camera three times during the interview with Badenoch. The BBC also apologised to Farage and said he had been quoted "mistakenly", adding that the episode has been removed from BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds. Writing on X on Wednesday, Farage said he his legal team had "written to the BBC demanding a full on-air apology and investigation into the defamatory comments made about me on Newsnight", adding: "Enough is enough." The Reform leader posted a link to a Daily Mail story that reproduced elements of the party's letter to the BBC. In the letter, Reform said Chorley's error "converts a criticism of discriminatory conduct by the authorities into an apparent appeal to race". "It suggests that Mr Farage, far from condemning racialised treatment, was himself invoking race as a basis for public anger." Getty Images Nigel Farage, pictured last month, made the comment in an address on his YouTube channel Nowak was killed in Southampton in December. His killer, Vickrum Digwa, lied to police at the scene of the stabbing, claiming he had himself been the victim of a racist attack. Bodycam footage released by police earlier this week showed officers expressing doubt when Nowak told them he had been stabbed. Digwa has been jailed for life with a minimum 21-year term. The police handling of Nowak's murder has led to national public outcry. Hampshire Police said 11 officers and a police dog were injured during protests in Southampton on Tuesday night. Chorley joined the BBC from Times Radio in 2024 to present a weekday afternoon show on BBC Radio 5 Live. He also joined Newsnight as a presenter last year. Starmer denies Farage 'two-tier policing' claim and accuse
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  • 1
    I hadnt considered that angle.
  • 2
    Appreciate the detailed explanation.
  • 0
    Chorleys honest mistake shows the importance of accuracy in journalism. Lets hope this incident serves as a reminder of the impact our words can have and the need for careful consideration when sharing them. #JournalismMatters
  • 2
    Chorleys mistake highlights the importance of fact-checking, especially in political discourse. Its crucial for clarity and to prevent misunderstandings.
  • -1
    Free speech protects diverse voices, even if they offend. Chorleys honesty shows respect for accuracy over ideology.
  • 2
    Farages quote was on point! Pure cold rage is exactly what we need to see. Chorleys confusion shows how easily facts can be misremembered, even by those who should know better.
  • 2
    Matt Chorleys honest mistake highlights the importance of accuracy in journalism. Lets hope this incident serves as a reminder of the impact our words can have and the need for careful consideration when sharing them. #truthmatters #journalism
  • 0
    While I appreciate the BBCs attempt to correct the mistake, its concerning how such a simple error can have such a significant impact. It highlights the importance of fact-checking, especially when dealing with potentially sensitive topics. Matt Chorleys honest mistake serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of our words, and it underscores the need for more rigorous verification in journalism.
  • 0
    Given the sensitive nature of political discourse, its crucial for media outlets to prioritize accuracy. Matt Chorleys apology shows accountability, but we must also ensure thorough fact-checking moving forward. How can we improve our systems to catch such errors before they reach the public?
  • 2
    Its unfortunate when even the most basic mistakes slip through, especially in high-profile interviews. Chorleys admission is a reminder that accuracy is crucial, especially when conveying complex political statements. Its important for media to fact-check thoroughly and for viewers to remain vigilant in evaluating the information presented.
  • 0
    Lets hold our breath while they decide if Chorleys apology is genuine or just another attempt to salvage their credibility. Accuracy matters, especially in matters of public policy. #TruthInMedia
  • 0
    Accuracy matters! Misquoting is a big deal. It reflects poorly on journalists and can mislead readers. Lets strive for truth and honesty in all we report. #JournalismMatters
  • 0
    Its important to get historical quotes right, especially when they can have such a significant impact. Chorleys honest apology and clarification demonstrate journalistic integrity.