A BBC newsreader has been criticised for appearing to joke about his colleague stamping on and killing a mouse.
James Kelly, a Radio 2 journalist and newsreader, took snaps of the “little fella”, who he dubbed “newsmouse”, on the carpeted floor at New Broadcasting House.
Who says we have a vermin problem at NBH
— James Kelly (@JamesKellyMedia) February 28, 2017
This little fella… #newsmouse pic.twitter.com/Nct2XfN8Jw
— James Kelly (@JamesKellyMedia) February 28, 2017
#newsmouse returns! pic.twitter.com/VJbkUy1eEX
— James Kelly (@JamesKellyMedia) February 28, 2017
He later updated his followers:
A World Service colleague has killed the #newsmouse with his boot! 'It would have chewed through our cables' was the reason given. #Brutal ??
— James Kelly (@JamesKellyMedia) February 28, 2017
RIP #newsmouse
— James Kelly (@JamesKellyMedia) February 28, 2017
A follower was unhappy – but James said that he “didn’t approve” but “it was quicker than a trap or poison…”
@JamesKellyMedia it's not about approving-it's illegal.happy to notify rspca.
— tina (@thethinker51) February 28, 2017
Animal charity RSPCA called the incident “shocking”.“Most healthy mice would run away fast from a person so it may be that this poor creature was sick or injured, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that it is a horrible thing to do to a defenceless rodent,” it said in a statement.People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (Peta) said stamping on a mouse was “hideously cruel” and urged “the authorities to investigate and the BBC to inform all its staff and contractors about what constitutes cruelty – and why small animals are not exempt.”Staff complained that New Broadcasting House had a mouse problem just weeks after moving into the building in 2013.