BBC Slammed for Airing Chris Kaba Documentary Right After Officer’s Acquittal
The BBC has come under fire for broadcasting a fresh documentary about Chris Kaba, the 24-year-old gang member shot dead by a Metropolitan Police officer in 2022. The timing sparked outrage as the programme aired just two weeks after Sgt Martyn Blake was cleared of murder charges at the Old Bailey. Public safety concerns remain high for Sgt Blake, who has been forced into hiding amid threats on his life.
Fatal Shooting in Streatham Sparks Controversy
- Kaba, linked to the London gang ’67’, was fatally shot in Streatham while attempting to flee a police blockade in a car connected to a firearms incident.
- Sgt Blake claimed he fired because he feared an imminent threat.
- The jury delivered a swift not-guilty verdict just hours into the trial.
- Kaba’s former gang allegedly placed a £10,000 bounty on Sgt Blake, escalating fears for the officer’s safety.
‘Questionable’ Timing of BBC’s Panorama Documentary
The BBC’s Panorama programme, The Trial of Officer Blake, dives deep into the events around Kaba’s death and the court case. Former Met officer and police commentator Chris Hobbs blasted the timing as “questionable.”
“The flames have only just begun to die down… and then you have the IOPC and the BBC fanning the embers,” Hobbs said.
The drama intensifies as the documentary features Sal Naseem, a former lead investigator at the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Naseem voiced that he believed Sgt Blake’s use of force was unnecessary. However, the IOPC quickly clarified Naseem’s views don’t reflect the official position and noted he was not the key decision-maker in the investigation.
Family Grief Meets Public Debate
The film also shows raw grief from Kaba’s family. His father, Prosper, told Panorama: “A parent who loses a son, especially at that age… for me, life doesn’t have any meaning.”
The BBC defended their decision to air the documentary, highlighting it was “in the public interest” and produced “in accordance with the BBC’s editorial guidelines, including impartiality.” They urged viewers to watch the full programme and judge for themselves.
Backlash Mounts Over Potential to Stoke Unrest
Critics warn the documentary’s release could stir fresh tensions and worsen threats towards Sgt Blake. With passions still running high, many question if the BBC’s timing was wise or reckless.
