The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has lodged a formal complaint with Ofcom, the UK’s broadcasting regulator, over a BBC Panorama episode which it says caused “serious reputational damage” to the watchdog following the shooting of Chris Kaba.
The complaint centres on a programme aired by Panorama which featured claims by Sal Naseem, the IOPC’s former regional director, suggesting that the decision to launch a murder investigation into the officer who shot Kaba was influenced by concerns over potential public disorder. The IOPC has strongly denied this claim and expressed anger that it was not given an opportunity to properly respond before the episode aired.
Mr Kaba, 24, was shot dead in September 2022 during a police stop in Streatham Hill, south London. The unarmed Black man was killed by a firearms officer, Sgt Martyn Blake, who was later charged with murder but acquitted by a jury in October 2024. His death sparked nationwide protests and calls for justice from his family and campaigners.
During the Panorama broadcast, Mr Naseem said: “It was fed back to us… that if we hadn’t [launched the homicide investigation] at that time then it’s likely there would have been a level of disorder.” The IOPC has strongly rejected the implication that its decision-making was politically or socially motivated.
The watchdog said it had asked the BBC to issue a public apology after the programme aired without including its formal response or making clear that Mr Naseem no longer worked for the organisation. The BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) admitted that the programme breached editorial guidelines, stating that the IOPC should have been given prior notice of the serious allegations. The BBC subsequently amended the episode on iPlayer and updated related online content to include the IOPC’s statement.
The statement read:
“The decisions to criminally investigate Sergeant Blake, and then refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), followed careful consideration of a significant amount of evidence gathered during our independent investigation and by applying the relevant legal tests which govern our work.”
While the ECU accepted that the omission was an oversight and ruled the complaint as “resolved”, the IOPC remains dissatisfied.
In a statement issued Thursday, the IOPC said:
“Despite admitting these two breaches of its own guidelines, the BBC has steadfastly refused to apologise publicly despite the IOPC providing evidence to show the serious reputational damage caused to the organisation as a result of the programme.”
“In particular, the suggestion within that programme, that the IOPC was pressured to start a homicide investigation, was wrong and resulted in public criticism… including concerns raised by the London Assembly and local councillors about the IOPC’s independence and motivations.”
The IOPC confirmed it has now escalated the matter to Ofcom, arguing that public trust in its impartiality has been undermined.
Responding to the complaint, a BBC spokesperson said: “We accept that the omission was an editorial oversight and took immediate steps to rectify it. The ECU found the matter resolved after these amendments.”
Mr Naseem, while acknowledging the jury’s verdict that cleared Sgt Blake, stood by the IOPC’s decision to refer the case to the CPS, stating during the programme that he believed it was the right course of action based on the evidence at the time.
The fallout highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding police accountability and media coverage in the aftermath of controversial police shootings, particularly involving Black victims.
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