Peston blamed for run on Rock

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Feb 13, 2009

BBC business editor Robert Peston came under fire last night from Northern Rock workers for his part in the bank's collapse.

During the filming of the BBC's Politics Show, to be broadcast on Sunday, Mr Peston was accused of inflaming panic in the economy by banking bosses and Northern Rock shareholders.

Dennis and Doreen Shannon lost their pounds 60,000 retirement nest-egg when their 5,000 shares became worthless. Mrs Shannon criticised the correspondent for "putting the knives in" for the sake of a breaking news story.

She said: "If someone is in trouble and falls down you can help them up, or you can kick them and steal their watch. The media stole our watch."

Appearing uncomfortable, Mr Peston responded: "In the week I did the Northern Rock story, I was aware early on that the crunch was coming. I knew that I had an immensely sensitive story.

"I was as astonished as anyone by the run on the bank."

The Politics Show will be broadcast on Sunday at noon on BBC One.

CAPTION(S):

UNDER FIRE: The BBC's Robert Peston