Apology From BBC After 'Insensitive' Debate
Nina Gross criticises last night's Question Time programme
The grieving sister of Alice Gross criticised BBC Question Time after the programme featured a discussion on immigration issues arising from the investigation into the 14-year-old's death.
Arnis Zalkalns from Latvia has been identified as a suspect by police searching for the schoolgirl before her body was found in the river Brent on Tuesday.
He served seven years in prison in his native country for killing his wife Rudite. It's thought he came to the UK in 2007 but there have been questions about whether UK authorities had any record of his conviction.
Question Time host, David Dimbleby, said a question was submitted to the panel referring to the “hideous murder of Alice Gross”.
He said: “The question is whether there should be freedom of movement including convicted criminals across EU borders.”
An eight minute discussion followed.
Nina Gross, 19, wrote on twitter :
“It is extremely insensitive to use my family’s tragedy for political agendas and discussion. This is a time of grief for our family. In future, please respect our wishes as we grieve.
“This is a personal tragedy which we want to deal with privately, rather than fearing anyone using it for any political agenda.
“It is extremely insensitive to use my families tragedy for political agendas and discussion. This is a time of grief for our family.
“Now is not the time for these discussions.”
Question Time later apologised to Nina Gross via twitter.
Meanwhile last night police said the post-mortem examination into the murder of Alice Gross has concluded.
They said: ''No cause of death has been given at this time and further tests are required.''
3rd October 2014
