Owen Smith: Even organisations reporting his campaign like the BBC can’t be straight about him, so how can we ever rely on “honest politics”? [Image: Gareth Fuller/PA].

And, considering the inconsistency was around the dates on which Owen Smith and his father Dai were employed at BBC Wales, one has to ask whether concerns about nepotism are justified.

Was the Corporation deliberately vaguing the issue in order to make it seem as though there was no influence brought to bear in order to secure a job for Smith Jr?

Even if that was true, the fact that the article was not clear makes it much easier to believe it isn’t.

And if it is true, then we have a man standing for the Labour leadership who had to rely on parental influence to get a decent job. You would more readily expect to see that in a Conservative.

It all adds to the narrative that is building up, of an ‘entitled’ operator whose career is based entirely on who he knows, not what – and who consequently puts his foot in his mouth far too often.

Is that who we want as leader of the Labour Party?

The BBC has been forced to correct an inaccurate profile of Owen Smith following a complaint by Press Gang.

In July the Corporation published an online article which included details about Smith’s career at BBC Wales.

Press Gang complained to Director General Lord Hall.

We said the article gave the false impression that Owen Smith was already at the BBC before his father, the historian Dai Smith, became involved.

In fact, the evidence suggests it was Smith the father who introduced Smith the son to the Corporation.

Press Gang also cited several errors of fact — and criticised the fact that the BBC has not provided a detailed CV of Smith’s broadcasting career.

Yesterday the BBC corrected the article but didn’t admit the original errors.

The Corporation also acknowledged the complaint.

Smith has declined to provide a full CV of his career as a journalist, lobbyist and politician.

The Press Gang investigation continues.

Source: BBC FORCED TO CORRECT OWEN SMITH PROFILE | PRESS GANG

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