UK's Brian Williams? Channel 4 News anchor Cathy Newman reprimanded over London mosque invention
Channel 4 News presenter Cathy Newman has received a warning from her boss after she provoked anger by claiming she had been "ushered" from a London mosque.
The news anchor arrived at the South London Islamic Centre in Streatham for the Visit My Mosque day on 1 February, thinking it was the Hyderi Islamic Centre.
But the presenter sparked controversy when she used Twitter to describe how she had been "ushered" out of the building, despite being "respectfully dressed", raising questions over her alleged treatment at the mosque.
However, CCTV footage obtained from the mosque cast doubt on her story and she has apologised for the "inappropriate" tweets, adding they were made in "haste" after arriving at the wrong place.
1/4 I have written to South London Islamic Centre and offered my sincere apologies for tweets sent in haste after I visited there in error.
— Cathy Newman (@cathynewman) February 12, 20152/4 I accept my tweets were inappropriate and regret the use of the word “ushered”.
— Cathy Newman (@cathynewman) February 12, 20153/4 My language was poorly chosen and has caused a great deal of offence. I deeply regret that this happened.
— Cathy Newman (@cathynewman) February 12, 2015In a letter to the mosque, Channel 4 News editor Ben de Pear said he was "disappointed" by Newman's behaviour and offered an "unreserved apology" when he met the Iman.
The mosque received death threats after Newman's original tweets to her 80,000 followers.
De Pear added he had spoken "at length" with Newman and that her language was "poorly chosen".
Newman said she had been planning a positive feature but acknowledged she had caused offence.
Channel 4 has not confirmed or denied whether the presenter has been disciplined.
The apologies came after CCTV footage showed the respected journalist enter the South London Islamic Centre before leaving on her own after what appears to be a brief exchange with a man.
It emerged the man had apparently been offering Newman directions to the Hyderi Islamic Centre, where Channel 4 camera crews were waiting for her.
Brian Williams Iraq helicopter
The incident bears similarity to the furore in the United States after venerated news anchor Brian Williams was suspended for six months by NBC.
The broadcaster said Williams would be suspended without pay for his "inexcusable" actions.
Williams spoke of being shot down in a helicopter in Iraq, an account that was scotched by a veteran.
He apologised, saying: "I made a mistake in recalling the events of 12 years ago. I want to apologise. I said I was travelling in an aircraft that was hit by RPG [rocket-propelled grenade] fire. I was instead in a following aircraft."
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