Tuesday, November 22, 2011

#leveson Inquiry : Scots Mother Critical Of The Press

The mother of a boy who killed himself after reading derogatory articles about his dead sister has urged journalists "to look into the facts".

Margaret Watson told the Leveson Inquiry into press ethics that her son Alan "could take no more".

The Herald newspaper and Marie Claire magazine published pieces which the Watsons believed had besmirched their 16-year-old daughter's name.

Diane Watson was killed at Whitehill Secondary in Dennistoun in 1991.

Her 15-year-old killer Barbara Glover was convicted just months after the murder and sent to Kerelaw Secure Unit.

Eighteen months after their daughter's death, Mrs Watson and her husband Jim suffered the loss of their only other child, 15-year-old Alan.

The couple told the inquiry at the High Court in London that he was found dead with cuttings of the offending articles in his hand.

Mrs Watson was highly critical of Herald journalist Jack McLean whom she claimed had used Diane's case to "spearhead a campaign" into the treatment of young offenders.... read more

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-15834121