Award-winning BBC reporter makes thousands working for missile company

[Magda Hassan]

Just a bit on the side.

Award-winning BBC reporter makes thousands working for missile company
By CHRIS HASTINGS and MILES GOSLETT
Last updated at 10:00 PM on 23rd July 2011


Lucrative: Reporter Aaron Heslehurst has appeared in a corporate video for missile manufacturer MBDA
A top BBC reporter has earned thousands of pounds fronting a corporate video for an arms firm.
Aaron Heslehurst, 44, an award-winning business journalist for BBC Breakfast and BBC World, appears in the video for European missile manufacturer MBDA.
Until Friday afternoon, footage was available on his website, where he openly touts for corporate work as a master of ceremonies, host, guest speaker and debate moderator'.
But access to the site, which also listed the presenter's work for clients such as Air New Zealand and Etihad Airways, was blocked shortly after The Mail on Sunday raised the reporter's off-air activity with the Corporation.
In the video, Mr Heslehurst, who often reports on aviation issues, is featured chairing a round-table discussion and informs his audience they will take a look at the best shots' of the year.
He is just one of several top BBC journalists and presenters who are exploiting their high profiles to land lucrative corporate contracts.
Critics last night urged the BBC Trust to ensure they were complying with rules that prohibit them from undertaking promotions, endorsements or adverts for third parties'.

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Don Foster MP, co-chair of the Liberal Democrat culture, media and sport committee, said: On the face of it, this would appear to be a clear breach of the rules. The BBC Trust needs to investigate.'
This newspaper has established that BBC newsreaders Kate Silverton and Mishal Husain have also fronted in-house films for private firms. Ms Husain, 38, presented a report for the internal news channel of electronic giant Philips.

Andrew Marr claims to be 'available for all types of corporate work'
Until Thursday, the website of her management company KBJ and PBJ Management Limited had a link to a show reel highlighting her work for Philips and other clients. That was also removed within hours of The Mail on Sunday contacting the BBC.
Kate Silverton, 40, one of the BBC's best-known faces, lists more than 60 corporate assignments on her site, including an in-house video for Clarks, the footwear retailer, and events for NatWest, BT and KPMG.
Andrew Marr's manager says he is available for all types of corporate work', economics editor Stephanie Flanders is a spirited moderator for corporate events', while Radio 4's Sarah Montague lists more than 50 *corporate engagements on her website.
BBC guidelines state: Presenters, BBC correspondents and reporters on news, current affairs and business programmes are not permitted to take part in any promotions, endorsements or advertisements for third parties.' Staff can undertake after-dinner speaking and chair conferences if they have written permission from their head of department.
But staff and freelance employees working in news and current affairs are advised that public appearances to promote an outside commercial organisation are not acceptable'.
A BBC spokesman said last night: BBC News presenters are permitted to do some freelance work as long as it does not undermine their on-air role and they have permission from their managers.
The work must not bring the BBC into disrepute. Promoting or endorsing products or companies to the public would not be acceptable.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...z1T1WVSglB