By Greg Dawson
Mohammed Yaqub has complained to the BBC for branding his son Yassar Yaqub as a drug dealer.
Yassar, from Crosland Moor, was a 28 year old dad of two in January when he was shot by police off the M62 as he entered Huddersfield.
This killing is still under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct which is excepted to release a report soon.
Huddersfield’s Asian community has been in uproar over his death, his grieving father leading the fight to get justice for his son. ‘Hometown a Killing’, the documentary which follows the death and crime in Huddersfield, has sparked new anger towards the BBC.
Mr Yaqub has made two formal complaints to the BBC about how his son was portrayed as a drug dealer in the documentary. Mohammed Yaqub had also said the BBC had promised not to “”air anything about his son until after the investigation by the IOPC was complete.”
Mr Yaqub said: “Up until the trial (when three men went on trial in November last year plotting a shooting with Yassar), the programme was OK.
“But this guy has tried his best to smear him, he has tried to give my son a bad name. I feel that is very unfair and without evidence.
“Yassar had no involvement in drugs whatsoever but in fact what he has done is to bring the whole community – both Asian and white – together. People are angry about what he has done.
A spokeswoman for the BBC has said : “”Mr Yaqub has complained to the BBC and we have corresponded with him.
“To address the two points raised: At no point was Mr Yaqub given any assurances that footage would not be broadcast until after the IOPC investigation or the inquest proceedings had concluded.
“The allegations of Yassar’s involvement in the drugs trade have been widely reported in the press following the conclusion of the recent criminal trial in Leeds and were discussed extensively in open court in the evidence during that trial.
“Mr Yaqub was given an opportunity to respond to allegations that surfaced during Mobeen’s investigation.
“In Episode Two Mobeen attends Mr Yaqub’s home and during an on camera interview Mr Yaqub responds directly to the allegation that Yassar was involved with drugs.
“Mr Yaqub denied that Yassar had anything to do with drugs or the drugs trade and this denial is included in the programme. “