Babes in the Woods mum calls for investigation into BBC journalist
Martin Bashir is said to have taken clothing belonging to Michelle Hadaway's daughter and had failed to return them
Last updated 26th May 2021
The mother of a young girl who was murdered in Sussex in 1986 is asking the BBC to investigate how she was treated by journalist Martin Bashir.
Michelle Hadaway’s daughter Karen, along with Nicola Fellows, were both killed by Russell Bishop in Brighton at the age of 9, in a case known as the Babes in the Woods murders.
On BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, Michelle Hadaway explained how she gave items of her daughter’s clothing to Bashir, but never got them back.
She said:
“In 1991, this man, Martin Bashir came to me and said DNA evidence is a lot more forward now than it was in 1986. We’re doing a programme for the BBC called ‘Public Eye’, would you be happy to hand the clothes over so we can DNA test them? At the time I wasn’t in any sort of frame of mind and I said yes…anyone would be happy to think that DNA that couldn’t be tested in ‘86 can now be in 1991.
“So, he took the clothes – gave me a signed piece of paper – said to me not to worry as it would be a few months before the programme will come out.”
The paper said: “This is to certify that I, Martin Bashir, have taken possession of clothing from Michelle Hadaway.”
Rosamund Urwin of the Sunday Times said when she spoke with Martin Bashir recently, he at first denied covering the story
When she questioned him further about signing out the items of clothing, he said** “I might have done that, I can’t remember.”**
The BBC is to review its editorial practices after it appeared Bashir used deceitful means to get himself an exclusive interview with Princess Diana.
The inquiry, published last week, found Bashir had faked bank statements designed to suggest Princess Diana was under surveillance, to win the trust of her brother - Earl Spencer - and eventually gain access to the princess for the 1995 Panorama interview.
Ms Hadaway said she would "of course" welcome an investigation of her interactions with Mr Bashir, and said she intended to consult lawyers to see what can be done about him.
A spokesperson for the BBC said:
"We appreciate how distressing this must be for Ms Hadaway and we will of course discuss this matter with her if and when she wishes to do so."
A Sussex Police spokesman said:
“We are aware of this matter, but it had no material impact on the investigation then or later, or on the 2018 prosecution.
“All forensic evidence needed had been already obtained from the clothing in 1986 and stored separately, including DNA evidence which only became accessible many years later due to advances in forensic technology and which was crucial in securing Bishop’s eventual conviction.
“The families have previously been told this.”