‘Panorama’ presenter quits after dispute

Press, 2 June 1982, Page 23

‘Panorama’ presenter quits after dispute

The 8.8. C. has accepted the resignation of Mr Robert Kee as presenter of “Panorama." He wrote to Mr Aubrey Singer, managing director of 8.8. C. Television, asking for his contract, which is for a year from last January, to be terminated, “The Times" reported. He also disclosed that the 8.8. C. had already proposed that he should be suspended for a month without salary, to make amends for a letter he'wrote to “The Times” complaining about the film content of. the controversial “Panorama" programme on the Falklands crisis, which he presented on May 10—his last appearance. Mr Kee's 12-month contract is worth about $113,000, and the programme broadcasts about 46 editions a year when breaks for holidays are deducted. Mr Singer said he.was

extremely sorry to receive Mr Kee’s resignation. “But there is no doubt he was in breach of contract in writing the letter, and obviously he feels he could not restore an effective working relationship with - the ‘Panorama’ productin team,” he said. Mr Kee said money due to him between May 10 and 24 would be given to charity. His place as presenter has been taken by Mr Richard Lindley. Answering criticism that he should have resigned before writing to “The Times," Mr Kee said: “If I had resigned at the time, it would have seemed like accepting responsibility for the programme, and bowing to the outcry against it. “As I had not had responsibilty for the film section of the, programme, but had been used by others to appear to have responsibility

for it, it seemed important to make clear the reality and not tp become the scapegoat which they would, perhaps, have been pleased to have. This point has now been made." Mr Kee, who is 62, said he had rejected the 8.8.C.’s proposals to suspend him for a month after which time they would have considered wheter his contract should be ended. This letter of rejection had not been acknowledged, he said. Mr Singer said that he had been about to answer it when Mr Kee’s further letter arrived. Mr Kee said he had received many letters, all supporting him, after his own letter to “The Times.” When asked how he felt about leaving “Panorama," he said: "I am sad to have had any sort of quarrel with the 8.8. C."