BBC apologises for presenter’s criticism of rape victim

Michael Buerk made the comments about the victim of Ched Evans [GETTY/PA]

n a trailer for Radio 4 discussion show Moral Maze, the journalist said that neither Evans nor the woman he attacked had emerged from the incident “with any credit” because she was so drunk that “she could barely stand”.

He said: “Nobody comes out of the Ched Evans rape case with any credit – not the victim who’d drunk so much she could barely stand, nor the two footballers who had sex with her in the most sordid of circumstances.”

Tonight’s episode of Moral Maze discusses whether a convicted rapist who’s served his time and maintains his innocence should be entitled to get his job back.

The former Wales and Sheffield United striker was released on Friday after serving half of a five-year sentence.

Buerk’s comments enraged victims’ rights campaigners who described the trailer as “damaging” and “deeply offensive”.

Katie Russell, for Rape Crisis England and Wales, described Buerk’s comments as “dreadful”.

She said: “While Michael Buerk and the Moral Maze are both known for being provocative, it is difficult to stress just how inappropriate and potentially damaging this morning’s live trail from the presenter for his programme was.

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