So the BBC is right to stay out of this.

But why should the UK govt used UK armed forces to distribute aid ? Then neither the use of suffering for propaganda would result ( and at the same time making generating that suffering less attractive ), and it would not strengthen Hamas. It would just help the suffering people.

The hypocrisy is Labour MPs putting down early day motions about charities, as a way of diverting attention from the lack of effective action from the UK govt and others.

Plett was cleared of delivering a tearful eulogy to Yasser Arafat, which was the basis of many of the formal complaints made to the BBC. But she was found guilty of breaching the guidelines on due impartiality for good reason. The emotional content of Plett’s report was unprofessional, and for many her behaviour was inappropriate as it distracted from the reporting, and needlessly irritated a lot of people.

With Johnston, there is indeed a powerful humanity in his reporting, but, from what I’ve seen of it, he has never overstepped any lines. On a political level I’ve disagreed with much of Johnston’s analysis of the situation in Palestine, but this hasn’t affected my admiration and respect for him as a professional journalist.

Plett has a long and distinguished career as an international correspondent, but it was right that she was censured for the Arafat incident.

I agree with your comments regarding over-strict adherence to editorial rules.