Friday, January 30, 2004
It's about time I'd say. This is the guy, along with the execrable and arrogant BBC management that should have been keeping a handle on him, that's done immeasurable damage to one of the world's premier news services and a Government engaged in a noble cause. This guy is Jason Blair magnified, and he isn't exactly contrite going out the door.
CNN.com - WMD claim reporter quits BBC - Jan. 30, 2004
Gilligan's report, based on an interview with weapons expert David Kelly, sparked a huge controversy last summer that eventually led to the scientist taking his own life.
The BBC confirmed on Friday that Gilligan had quit, adding "We recognize that this has been a very difficult time for him."
In a statement to the Press Association, Gilligan admitted that some of his reporting about an intelligence dossier on Iraq weapons of mass destruction before the war was wrong.
He added: "I again apologise for it. My departure is at my own initiative. But the BBC collectively has been the victim of a grave injustice."
Gilligan said he had not been forced to resign but was quitting to protect the institution he "loved."[...]
Update: Nope, not contrite at all.
Mr Gilligan said: "This report casts a chill over all journalism, not just the BBC's.
"It seeks to hold reporters, with all the difficulties they face, to a standard that it does not appear to demand of, for instance, government dossiers."
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