Menu
19/10/2009
Gately Article Provokes Complaints
Just hours after the singer's cremation, police have received a complaint about an article written by a UK newspaper columnist about the death of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately.
Scotland Yard said it refers to Jan Moir's article, published in Friday's Daily Mail, which also prompted more than 1,000 complaints to the Press Complaints Commission.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We have received a complaint from a member of the public."
The development came after Gately's Boyzone bandmates led the mourning at his funeral in Dublin on Saturday at which Ronan Keating sang and helped carry the 33-year-old's coffin along with Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch during the ceremony, which was watched by thousands of people.
After Stephen Gately died the previous Saturday in his apartment in Port Andratx, Majorca, the newspaper column about the gay singer's death, said: "Healthy and fit 33-year-old men do not just climb into their pyjamas and go to sleep on the sofa, never to wake up again. Whatever the cause of death is, it is not, by any yardstick, a natural one."
And she signed off: "For once again, under the carapace of glittering, hedonistic celebrity, the ooze of a very different and more dangerous lifestyle has seeped out for all to see."
A spokesman for the PCC said of the 1,000 complaints received, many were relating to questions of accuracy, intrusion and discrimination.
He said the PCC had already established links with Gately's family in case they had wanted to express an opinion about the coverage of his death.
Responding, the Mail's columnist said: "Some people, particularly in the gay community, have been upset by my article about the sad death of Boyzone member Stephen Gately. This was never my intention. Stephen, as I pointed out in the article, was a charming and sweet man who entertained millions."
She issued a response in which she branded suggestions of homophobia as "mischievous" and claimed the backlash was a "heavily orchestrated internet campaign".
(BMcC/KMcA)
Scotland Yard said it refers to Jan Moir's article, published in Friday's Daily Mail, which also prompted more than 1,000 complaints to the Press Complaints Commission.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We have received a complaint from a member of the public."
The development came after Gately's Boyzone bandmates led the mourning at his funeral in Dublin on Saturday at which Ronan Keating sang and helped carry the 33-year-old's coffin along with Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch during the ceremony, which was watched by thousands of people.
After Stephen Gately died the previous Saturday in his apartment in Port Andratx, Majorca, the newspaper column about the gay singer's death, said: "Healthy and fit 33-year-old men do not just climb into their pyjamas and go to sleep on the sofa, never to wake up again. Whatever the cause of death is, it is not, by any yardstick, a natural one."
And she signed off: "For once again, under the carapace of glittering, hedonistic celebrity, the ooze of a very different and more dangerous lifestyle has seeped out for all to see."
A spokesman for the PCC said of the 1,000 complaints received, many were relating to questions of accuracy, intrusion and discrimination.
He said the PCC had already established links with Gately's family in case they had wanted to express an opinion about the coverage of his death.
Responding, the Mail's columnist said: "Some people, particularly in the gay community, have been upset by my article about the sad death of Boyzone member Stephen Gately. This was never my intention. Stephen, as I pointed out in the article, was a charming and sweet man who entertained millions."
She issued a response in which she branded suggestions of homophobia as "mischievous" and claimed the backlash was a "heavily orchestrated internet campaign".
(BMcC/KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 February 2010
Gately Article Did Not Breach Code
A Daily Mail column published in the wake of gay pop singer Stephen Gately's death did not breach press guidelines. Journalist Jan Moir's piece prompted 25,000 people to lodge grievances with the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) - the newspaper industry watchdog.
Gately Article Did Not Breach Code
A Daily Mail column published in the wake of gay pop singer Stephen Gately's death did not breach press guidelines. Journalist Jan Moir's piece prompted 25,000 people to lodge grievances with the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) - the newspaper industry watchdog.
24 June 2005
Complaints watchdog tells NHS 'improve complaints handling'
The Healthcare Commission has told the NHS that it needs to improve the handling of patient complaints. The Commission, which handles complaints that the NHS cannot resolve, made the comment as it published figures which indicated that the NHS were not doing enough to resolve grievances locally.
Complaints watchdog tells NHS 'improve complaints handling'
The Healthcare Commission has told the NHS that it needs to improve the handling of patient complaints. The Commission, which handles complaints that the NHS cannot resolve, made the comment as it published figures which indicated that the NHS were not doing enough to resolve grievances locally.
12 September 2012
C4 Cancel Islamic Film Screening Over Security Concerns
Channel 4 has cancelled the planned screening at its headquarters of a documentary film questioning the origins of Islam, citing security concerns. The broadcaster received over 1,000 complaints following a showing two weeks ago of ‘Islam: The Untold Story’.
C4 Cancel Islamic Film Screening Over Security Concerns
Channel 4 has cancelled the planned screening at its headquarters of a documentary film questioning the origins of Islam, citing security concerns. The broadcaster received over 1,000 complaints following a showing two weeks ago of ‘Islam: The Untold Story’.
20 January 2005
Foreign Office to issue death certificates for tsunami missing
The Foreign Office has confirmed that it will issue death certificates for British nationals missing, presumed dead, in the Boxing Day tsunami disaster.
Foreign Office to issue death certificates for tsunami missing
The Foreign Office has confirmed that it will issue death certificates for British nationals missing, presumed dead, in the Boxing Day tsunami disaster.
05 March 2015
Police Cleared Over Death Of Hamzah Khan
A verdict of "no misconduct" by any police officer has been found after the body of a four-year-old was discovered starved to death in his cot two years after he died.
Police Cleared Over Death Of Hamzah Khan
A verdict of "no misconduct" by any police officer has been found after the body of a four-year-old was discovered starved to death in his cot two years after he died.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
