My Complaint

Complaint Summary: Why have you not covered this story?

Full Complaint: Teenager who was falsely accused of rape committed suicide. Now his mother has committed suicide. Why have you not covered this story? It has been all-over the British media, including The Telegraph etc. It's even been featured on foreign websites. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/heartbroken-mum-teen-who-killed-8518826 It seems that the BBC so rarely covers false rape allegations, and never seems to cover suicides as a result of them. But here is a DOUBLE suicide — mother and son. But still, not a peep from the BBC.

BBC Reply

Dear Mr Xxxxxxxx,

Ref: CAS-3945692-H58KY5

Thank you for getting in touch about coverage of the death of Karin Cheshire.

We have looked into this issue and it seems that the Solent News & Picture Service, who had this story, filed to the newspapers but not to the BBC.

At this stage we are not intending to cover the story, but we do plan to attend the full inquest when that happens.

We have also been in contact with the family asking them to take part in an interview and are waiting for their decision.

However, it is incorrect to say that the BBC does not cover stories about false rape allegations:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-36210990

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-35168499

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/34698265/falsely-accused-of-rape-i-record-consent-before-sex

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/21016808/false-rape-claims-devastating-say-wrongly-accused

Thank you again for raising this issue.

Best wishes,

BBC News website