BBC TELEVISION DRAMA PORTRAYAL OF THE ARMY IN AFGHANISTAN

That this House deplores the decision of the BBC to screen, on 22 November 2010, a fictional account of life on the frontline in Helmand Province which grotesquely misrepresented the heroism and professionalism of soldiers serving in the British Army; regrets that the Director-General of the BBC, Mr Mark Thompson, ignored a formal letter from the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Peter Wall, asking him not to broadcast the programme which he described as being deeply offensive and distasteful to those serving in Afghanistan and their families; believes that by deciding to broadcast the drama, despite being told by Sir Peter that it was misleading and inaccurate, the BBC has shown a deplorable lack of judgement; and calls on the Government to lodge a formal protest with the BBC for its denigration of the bravery and professionalism of members of HM Armed Forces particularly at a time when thousands of them are deployed on active service in Afghanistan.