A “simple human error” by BBC producers made it appear as if Theresa May was travelling to Brussels in a fleet of Second World War bombers to reopen negotiations with the EU.
During Wednesday’s News at Six, footage of planes flying over Biggin Hill airbase was shown as newsreader Sophie Raworth recapped the Prime Minister’s visit.
If Carlsberg did Freudian Slips…. 🤔🤔🤔 #BBCNewsSix #ChocsAway #BattleOfBritain @piersmorgan pic.twitter.com/Oop0ymRvad
— ＣｏｘｅｙＬｏｘｅｙ (@CoxeyLoxey) 30 January 2019
Read more: BBC News in embarrassing subtitles blunder during House of Commons coverage
The section was meant to be accompanied by footage of Mrs May.
Instead, clips showing planes over the air base were shown, comically suggesting Mrs May was travelling to Brussels in a fleet of RAF bombers.
Raworth told viewers: “Theresa May says she intends to go back to Brussels to negotiate her Brexit deal but EU leaders say the deal is done and they will not reopen talks.”
Mrs May said she intends to go back to the EU and reopen negotiation over the Irish backstop but some of the EU’s most senior politicians and officials have lined up to insist the deal cannot be unpicked.
Paul Royall, who edits the News at Six and News at 10, said on Twitter the clips had been intended to tease a later story about the airbase.
For those wondering – simple human error at end of #BBCNewsSix. A production mistake meant pictures used earlier to tease story about Biggin Hill ended up in our top story recap at close of show. If and when it happens pretty certain PM not travelling to Brussels like this. pic.twitter.com/P2yXMnkkCK
— Paul Royall (@paulroyall) 30 January 2019
He joked he was “pretty sure” May was not travelling to Europe in this manner.
Mr Royall said: “For those wondering – simple human error at end of #BBCNewsSix. A production mistake meant pictures used earlier to tease story about Biggin Hill ended up in our top story recap at close of show.
“If and when it happens pretty certain PM not travelling to Brussels like this.”
Best known for its role in the Battle of Britain, Biggin Hill served as one of the vital command bases for the Hurricanes and Spitfires of RAF Fighter Command protecting the south-east.
Viewers watching from home were amused by the blunder.
One person said: “#brexit This is amazing,” while another wrote: “Roared with laughter. Hard to believe it was a mistake tbh.”
#brexit This is amazing 🤣 #bbcnewssix pic.twitter.com/ygawMZybWB
— Marc Wilson (@marcwilson_1981) 30 January 2019
Roared with laughter. Hard to believe it was a mistake tbh
— Helen (@Helen_V100) 31 January 2019
A third tweeted: “Best use of archive I’ve seen in a while.”
Best use of archive I’ve seen in a while 😉
— Anna Doble (@annadoble) 30 January 2019
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