The Editorial Standards Committee of the BBC have published their findings (here) in respect of 5 complaints made by a former resident of Quarriers Children's Home concerning a programme broadcast on BBC One, Frontline Scotland, on 1st April 2003
This programme concerned the case of John Porteous who had previously been convicted of offences relating to his employment at a Quarrier's childrens' home in the 1960s and 1970s.
The programme examined “whether some of the children he cared for made up false allegations against him in order to claim compensation and asked whether historical child abuse cases leave anyone who has ever worked with children open to accusations”.
The Editorial Standards Committee upheld two complaints. The first was that the former resident had not been given an adequate right of reply when it was suggested that Mr Porteous was wrongly convicted. The second related to the BBC's failure to ensure accuracy and impartiality in their reporting.
Three complaints were not upheld