Reporter 'Accidentally' Gropes Woman On Live TV, Gets Slapped
By Dave Basner
October 27, 2019
One of the hardest things reporters have to deal with is stopping random people from interrupting their live shots. Well one journalist with the BBC unintentionally stumbled upon a surefire way to put an end to it - by grabbing a stranger's boob.
As Ben Brown conducted a live interview, an attention-seeking woman gave a thumbs up to the camera. Brown gently pushed her aside to usher her away, but he wasn't watching where he was touching her and wound up putting his hand on her right breast. In response, the lady slapped Ben's arm. Immediately after the interview, Ben tweeted an apology.
Unfortunate interruption of broadcast in Bradford - just tried to minimise disruption but v tricky live on air - completely unintentional
— Ben Brown (@BenBrownBBC) May 16, 2017
The incident has sparked a debate on Twitter over if Brown assaulted the woman or is it truly was an accident:
@tmccrj2 @BenBrownBBC Sorry, were they on private property? Is it against the law to stand in shot of the BBC? If not, he shouldn't have laid hands on anyone
— Phil Bird (@PhilBird19) May 16, 2017
@WestYorksPolice will you be following up this sexual assault carried out by @BenBrownBBC in this clip live on @BBCNews ?? #BenBrown https://t.co/l075mQKVwz
— Christopher Smith (@F1grimreaper) May 16, 2017
@dally1000 @BenBrownBBC Nope, it's not nonsense and I'm not provocative or spiteful. I watched him look at her breast, put his hand there and keep it there.
— Karen W (@Wozbird) May 16, 2017
@BenBrownBBC A person blindsides you and you had seconds to react. Nothing more needs to be said.
— Simon Wilcox (@TheRocksta) May 16, 2017
@BenBrownBBC She interrupted the interview Ben moved her that is the end of that Jesus
— Josh Lee (@LFCJosh) May 17, 2017
Keep on eye on Ben's Twitter here to see if he has anything further to say.