BBC upholds complaints over Victoria Beckham slur on Have I Got News For You

Complaints about the broadcast of a swear word in connection with Victoria Beckham during an episode of BBC One's Have I Got News For You have been upheld, the corporation's executive complaints unit (ECU) has ruled.

Ryan told the show's panellists: "I don't know that we are allowed to broadcast the c-word, but you did reference Victoria Beckham earlier and we'll allow that."

The ECU statement in full said: "The relevant BBC Editorial Guidelines do not require programmes to avoid giving offence, but do require that any offence should be editorially justified.

In November, the ECU responded to complaints from viewers it said were "unhappy with the inclusion of strong language in the programme".

It added that it was "common practice" to carry a clear verbal warning at the start of post-watershed programmes with very strong language, which was what happened for this particular episode of the show.

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