MP BARBARA KEELEY HAS LODGED AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT WITH OFCOM OVER CORONATION STREETS DISRESPECTFUL ARSON STORY-LINE

Last week we reported upon a local councillor who had condemned the decision by broadcaster ITV to air a disrespectful Coronation Street story-line which echoed the real life tragic event which befell a local family far too closely. 

Councillor for Walkden South, Laura Edwards - appeared on Radio Manchester's Phil Trow show to speak of her upset at the impact the decision to air the controversial story-line had on a local family that has suffered unimaginable loss under far too similar circumstance. 

In an episode aired last week, viewers watched on in complete disbelief as the story unfolded before them of an arsonist setting alight a property containing a mother and her four children - leaving them trapped, and frantic to escape. 

Fortunately the ending was a lot different for the fictional characters - but in the stark reality of real life that was not the case for Michelle Pearson and her beautiful children who were callously robbed of their lives by those who are nothing more in our opinion than pure evil.

The tragedy which unfolded that night was the result of what is undoubtedly the most barbaric act to be carried out on Salford soil.

Brave Michelle fought off infection after infection after spending months in a coma having suffered 75% burns to her body as a result of the petrol bomb attack upon her home. She soldiered on determined to see justice for her four beloved children and watched on as those responsible were jailed for their murders. Sadly the ordeal had become too much for the 37-year-old and she succumbed to her injuries in August of 2019 and was once again reunited with the children who were so cruelly taken from her.

Their suffering may have ended but for the wider family, friends and loved ones the pain of what they have all lost still endures.

So it was without question that within moments of the scenes being aired our SalfordOnline Facebook group was inundated with countless anger fuelled posts from local people who were revolted at what they had seen portrayed on screen, Salfordians who have bore witness and shared in the suffering caused to a family that it has taken into its heart.

Out of the complete and utter respect we hold for the Pearson family we opted to block posts and ban discussion in order to limit the distress the grieving family are already under. the comments being made were scathing to say the least.

Laura took to the airwaves to speak for our City and she did that superbly by demanding that the show-runners give a full apology to the family who were left heartbroken from having to relive a still raw moment once more. They were given no forewarning of what was to be shown and it came as a huge shock to those family members who watched the show, not to mention the rest of salford either - so it would seem.

Now the MP for Worsley and Eccles South - Barbara Keeley, has added her voice to the matter by lodging an official complaint with industry regulator Ofcom on behalf of the Pearson Family, something that we understand many more have also chosen to do since the episode was shown.

Speaking on social media Ms Keeley said that although she understood the soap often addresses tough issues, it was not an excuse to air insensitive or hurtful materials which too closely echoed this real life tragedy:

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The recent Coronation Street programme about a fire caused by arson affecting a family of five has caused deep hurt to the Pearson family and the local community affected by the fire two years ago in Jackson Street, Walkden. I have acted on behalf of the Pearson family with a complaint going to both ITV and the regulator Ofcom.

I understand that Coronation Street programmes often address tough issues but this is not an excuse for insensitive or hurtful material which too closely echoes a real life tragedy.

I know that the programme caused a wave of messages to the family from members of the public who were distressed at the story in this episode, and this added to their stress. I hope the complaints I have submitted help in communicating to the programme makers the damage that an insensitive story like this can do.

 

The ITV Soap has been slammed for its response so far in which it has maintained that it does not shy away from tackling sensitive issues with so far no apology forthcoming from the show-runners or the broadcaster. Many in viewers in Salford have told us they have abandoned the show and will not be tuning in again until a full apology is given.

ITV had a responsibility to put this right, admit it made a bad call and apologise to a family that they have left hurting.

Photo: Barbara Keeley