Almanack: Mum has last word

Andrew Baker
Saturday 24 September 1994 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A SOURCE at Broadcasting House tells Almanack that the BBC has incurred the wrath of one of British sport's most formidable mums, Mrs Angela Keown, who is the mother of Arsenal's Martin. It seems that Mrs K was sitting at home listening to the Radio Five commentary on the Newcastle match when she heard her son accused of pushing Philippe Albert, and described as 'unprofessional'. She was furious, and got on the blower to the BBC straight away.

So upset was Mrs Keown by this unwarranted slur on her son that she had still not calmed down on Friday when we telephoned her to commiserate. 'It was that Mark Lawrenson,' she said. 'I rang the manager at Radio Five and I told her. I was really annoyed. Martin was nowhere near the man.' How does she know? 'I was watching the game on BSkyB as well.'

Mr Keown senior joined in the tirade in the background. We caught the gist of his feelings if not their precise expression. 'Mark Lawrenson said that he would have to query Martin's - what was it? - integrity or something,' Mrs Keown continued. 'Martin was very upset when we told him about it. I'm surprised at Mark Lawrenson saying that because he knows Martin as well.'

Mrs Keown is concerned that the BBC did not respond to her complaint in the appropriate manner. 'They never came back on the air with an apology or anything,' she said. 'Martin was very annoyed. And everybody heard it. Everybody at work the next morning told me about it. Martin was nowhere near the guy that got pushed.' A matter for the Director-General?

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in