The BBC has hit back at accusations that it orchestrated a demonstration against Scientologists during which a "terrorist death threat" was allegedly made.
It comes as a bitter row develops between the Corporation and Scientologists over a highly critical Panorama documentary about the religion, in which a veteran reporter lost his temper and screamed for 30 seconds at a Church member.
The BBC has seriously reprimanded John Sweeney for the outburst, which the journalist has admitted was "wrong and stupid".
The church posted the clip of Mr Sweeney's rant on the self-broadcasting website YouTube, and has now distributed 100,000 copies of a DVD it made of the BBC crew filming the documentary.
It released the DVD to MPs, peers and religious leaders in an offensive to counter allegations made against Scientologists in the Panorama film. The BBC documentary will be aired on BBC1 tomorrow.
Today Sandy Smith, the Panorama editor, hit back at claims that the BBC had orchestrated a demonstration against the Scientologists while filming the documentary.
He said: "Their DVD contains two grossly defamatory claims about us - one, that we staged a demonstration against Scientology and two, that a terrorist death threat was made.
"It is absolutely outrageous to suggest that the BBC would organise a demonstration - why would we?"
Full Story: TELEGRAPH.CO.UK
Video: John Sweeney's rant at Scientologists (posted by Scientologists)
Video: Scientologist storms out after 'sinister cult' remark (posted by BBC)
BBC: John Sweeney defends his documentary
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