Chris Kaba: Sky News mistake march for tribute to Queen
Sky News received a heavy backlash for mistaking the protest for Chris Kaba for mourners heading to Buckingham Palace to pay tribute to the late British monarch. Chris, 24, was fatally shot by the Metropolitan Police Service on September 5. His heartbroken family organised marches in London which included one held two days after the monarch’s death on September 10.
The demonstrations for Chris started in Parliament Square and headed towards Scotland Yard, with celebrities such as Stormzy joining in.
Footage from the protests was aired on Sky News on September 10, with presenter Sarah-Jane Mee telling viewers: “The weight of this historic moment has been felt here at the gates of Buckingham Palace.
“Thousands of people still arriving to pay their respects to the Queen.”
Viewers were quick to lash out on Twitter at Sarah-Jane’s error, with some calling it “disgraceful”.
The journalist took to social media in light of the backlash and penned: “I’d like to personally apologise to those involved. We are covering the march and its significance later today.”
A Sky News spokesperson later released a statement apologising for the mistake.
It read: “[We] accidentally misidentified aerial pictures of a protest march for Chris Kaba as a large gathering paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.
“We have also issued a correction on air to clarify the footage previously shown.”
Ofcom has since confirmed a total of 598 people have complained about the incident.
The watchdog will now assess these complaints before deciding whether to launch an investigation.
Chris was killed following a police pursuit of his car which ended in Streatham Hill, in South London.
He became involved in the chase after an automatic number plate reader flagged the car he was in as a vehicle which potentially had links to a firearms offence.
Armed police swooped the vehicle into a narrow street, but a search later found Chris, who was about to become a father, was not armed.
The police officer involved has been suspended and an inquest into Chris’ death will be opened on October 4.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it would be exploring “all of the circumstances” surrounding his death.
This will include whether “race influenced any actions taken by the police”.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan told Sky News: “I support both the decision for an independent investigation by the police watchdog and the decision to suspend the officer.”
He said the victim’s family deserve answers and said it was important the suspended officer was taken off operation duties.
“I am sure, in due course, the IPCO will be answering those questions,” he added.
A few days later the mayor said “we need to make sure the police are properly policed” and stressed there will be a “robust investigation” into Chris’s death.
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