Journalist in Syria blast claims war reporter ‘bullied’ her into trip
A JOURNALIST injured by an explosion in Syria has claimed that Lyse Doucet, the BBC’S chief international correspondent, bullied her into risking her life and is suing the corporation for £150,000.
Natalie Morton, a news producer, was with the award-winning war correspondent in 2014 when a bomb was detonated close to their vehicle in Homs. She alleges that she was bullied into taking the trip to the war-torn Syrian city by an “angry” Ms Doucet, who was frustrated by her refusal to accompany her on another assignment.
The BBC has denied the claims and Ms Morton is now suing the corporation for up to £150,000.
Simon Anderson, the producer’s barrister, said his client was “persuaded/required” to take a needless trip to Homs. “Lyse Doucet expressed anger and frustration with the claimant for her decision to refuse to travel to Maaloula, and intimidated and pressurised her to travel to Homs in circumstances whereby the journey was unnecessary,” Mr Anderson claimed in court papers ahead of a full hearing of Ms Morton’s damages claim.
The BBC has denied any liability, claiming Ms Morton made her own decision to travel and was fully aware of the risks involved.
According to papers filed at Central London County Court, Ms Morton travelled to Syria with Ms Doucet, BBC cameraman Phil Goodwin and documentary maker Robin Barnwell.
In 2014, while filming took place at a centre for “internally displaced persons” in Homs, a mortar shell exploded near to the vehicle where Ms Morton was waiting outside.
Cameraman Mr Goodwin received 35 wounds from the spray of shrapnel, and Ms Morton suffered minor injuries. Her legal team claims her mental health has been ruined by the incident, which left her suffering from PTSD.
Her lawyers have claimed she was driven to drinking as a result of the ordeal, and has been unable to return to war journalism.
Such is the impact of the incident, her barrister has claimed in court papers, that “she has not watched or listened to the news since May 2015”.
As well as the trip being unnecessary, Ms Morton claims, the BBC had not done everything possible to make the assignment to Homs safe. The Syrian Army was planning to seize rebelheld areas at the time and this had not been factored into the assessment of risk, Ms Morton alleges. It is also claimed that the “loiter time” in the area struck by the mortar blast was not limited, while Ms Doucet filmed for four hours nearby.
David Platt QC, representing the
BBC, denies liability and says Ms Morton was not put under any pressure to travel. He stated: “There was no obligation on the claimant or any member of ‘News’ to go to Homs. The claimant had full ownership of this decision and could have declined to go. Indeed, she had an absolute right to refuse.
“Ms Doucet did not pressurise or intimidate the claimant, who raised no objection to going to Homs.
He added: “She had applied for the job knowing that she would be exposed to an element of risk given the high probability that she would visit hostile environments.”
As well as denying liability, the BBC claimed Ms Morton had pre-existing alcohol and mental health problems.
The case is due to be heard by a judge later this month.