The owners of an Australian radio station at the centre of the British royal prank call scandal on Sunday said the tragic death of a nurse was “unforeseeable” and vowed to review its broadcasting processes.
Executives at Southern Cross Austereo, owners of 2Day FM, held an emergency meeting to consider a letter from Lord Simon Glenarthur, chairman of London’s King Edward VII’s Hospital, protesting the “appalling” hoax.
Meanwhile Prince William abandoned an event yesterday to be with his wife Catherine, as the Australian radio station engulfed in the row over the hoax phone call death promised to review its practices.
William pulled out of attending a military tournament in London to spend more time with Catherine, who was treated in a London hospital last week for acute morning sickness. In London, a St James’s Palace spokesman said William had changed his plans to “spend Sunday privately with the duchess instead” given the possibility that the acute morning sickness she had suffered might recur.
And he warned that to respect her privacy they would not routinely be issuing reports on Catherine’s condition.
The death of a nurse at the hospital who was duped by two presenters at 2Day FM who were trying to get Kate on the phone, has unleashed a backlash against the station’s owners. Indian-born mother-of-two Jacintha Saldanha, 46, is thought to have taken her own life, although British police have refused to commit themselves ahead of the inquest.
Executives at Southern Cross Austereo, owners of the Sydney station, held an emergency meeting yesterday. They were considering a letter from Lord Simon Glenarthur, chairman of London’s King Edward VII’s Hospital, that protested against the “appalling” prank.
“It is too early to know the full details leading to this tragic event and we are anxious to review the results of any investigation that may be made available to us or made public,” Southern Cross Austereo said in its response.
“We can assure you that we will be fully cooperative with all investigations,” it added, according to Australian Associated Press. “The outcome was unforeseeable and very regrettable. I can assure you we are taking immediate action and re-viewing the broadcast and processes involved.”
Saldanha was found dead on Friday, three days after she answered a call at the hospital from radio hosts Mel Greig and Michael Christian, posing as Queen Elizabeth II and William’s father Prince Charles.
There was no receptionist on duty and Saldanha put them through to a colleague who divulged details of Kate’s recovery.