Hero’s tale is ‘too positive’ for the BBC

Hero’s tale is ‘too positive’ for the BBC By Chris Hastings, Arts and Media Editor, Sunday Telegraph Last Updated: 11:56pm BST 07/04/2007 Amid the deaths and the grim daily struggle bravely borne by Britain’s forces in southern Iraq, one tale of heroism stands out. Private Johnson Beharry with his Victoria Cross Private Johnson Beharry with his Victoria Cross Private Johnson Beharry’s courage in rescuing an ambushed foot patrol then, in a second act, saving his vehicle’s crew despite his own terrible injuries earned him a Victoria Cross. For the BBC, however, his story is “too positive” about the conflict. The corporation has cancelled the commission for a 90-minute drama about Britain’s youngest surviving Victoria Cross hero because it feared it would alienate members of the audience opposed to the war in Iraq.

Hero’s tale is ‘too positive’ for the BBC