ITV apologises over Hunniford’s remarks on rape case
ITV has been forced to apologise over comments made by Gloria Hunniford about footballer Ched Evans on the Loose Women show.
The Portadown-born broadcaster made her remarks after Mr Evans was cleared at Cardiff Crown Court of raping a 19-yearold woman.
Although convicted of the offence in 2012, the verdict was quashed and he was cleared of the charges last week after a retrial. He has always maintained that he and another footballer had consensual sex with his accuser.
A statement on his website said Ms Hunniford’s comments “marked a watershed in the media coverage following Ched’s unanimous acquittal of rape at Cardiff Crown Court, after serving 30 months for a crime he always denied and has now been exonerated of.”
“Ched has always acknowledged his behaviour was morally unacceptable — but consensual,” the statement added.
“Gloria Hunniford on Loose Women yesterday misrepresented the evidence presented at Cardiff Crown Court in this respect, and his family are now actively considering their legal options. Opinion is acceptable, but misinformation broadcast on prime time television is not.”
On Wednesday, presenter Ruth Langsford read out a statement apologising to the Evans family. She said: “Following the programme, we received a complaint on behalf of Mr Evans regarding a comment made during the course of that item concerning the capacity of the individual to consent.
“We are happy to reiterate that Mr Evans was acquitted after a jury unanimously found him not guilty, having carefully considered the issue of consent.”
Mr Evans’ website welcomed the statement, adding: “Today we are pleased that Loose Women apologised to Ched Evans in respect of a statement made by Gloria Hunniford earlier this week which was inaccurate. We are pleased that this episode is now finalised.”
Gloria Hunniford’s spokeswoman said there was “absolutely no truth” in claims she threatened to resign over the incident.