BBC forced to apologise after Sally Nugent triggers outrage for describing heroic Dambusters Raid as ‘infamous’

THE BBC has been forced to apologise after Sally Nugent sparked outrage when she referred to the Dambusters Raid as "infamous".

Viewers were stunned when the BBC Breakfast presenter mistakenly disrespected the heroic operation - which helped boost Britain during World War II.

While sitting on the red sofa, the TV star was discussing a flypast done in May by World War II bombers who had been in the mission.

She said: "Eighty years after 19 Lancaster bombers took part in the infamous Dambusters Raid, tonight a special anniversary flypast will take place over Lincolnshire."

After the disastrous blunder, complaints flooded in and the Beeb has been forced to issue a statement.

The corporation has since posted a correction on the BBC Complaints website.

It reads: "When highlighting what was coming up on the programme, we did inadvertently refer to the Dambusters Raid as 'infamous'.

"Later, when the main item aired, we referred to the 'famous' raid.

"In live programmes, such as Breakfast, errors do occasionally slip through, and we're sorry for this mistake, and any offence caused."

Sally Nugent's turn of phrase was also assessed by the BBC's Executive Complaints Unit (ECU).

"The ECU assessed the complaint against the standards for due accuracy and impartiality set out in the BBC editorial guidelines," wrote a spokesperson.

"The ECU agreed the original broadcast was not duly accurate.

"Though the raid is not without its critics, the use of the word 'infamous', with its strongly negative connotations, was not appropriate.

"But the ECU found no evidence the phrase was deliberately chosen for its adverse implications, rather than being used inadvertently, or that it reflected the presenter's personal view.