BBC presenter admits killing

TV host Ray Gosling smothered his AIDS-stricken lover in his...

10:40 16 February 2010

Ray Gosling, a presenter for the BBC's 'Inside Out' programme smothered his lover to spare him from "terrible pain", he has admitted.

Police are now investigating after the Nottingham documentary filmmaker said he had a pact with the deceased man that stated that he would act if his suffering was incurable.

During a new documentary on death and dying, Gosling, 70, said: "I killed someone once. He'd been my lover and he got Aids.

"I picked up the pillow and smothered him until he was dead. No regrets."

Gosling stated that ended his former lover's life while he was in a hospital (which he chose not to name) after doctors had told him that there was nothing further that could be done for him.

Gosling said: "I said to the doctor: 'Leave meÂ… just for a bit,' and he went away.

"I picked up the pillow and smothered him until he was dead.

"The doctor came back and I said: 'He's gone.' Nothing more was ever said.

"When you love someone, it is difficult to see them suffer. My feelings on euthanasia are like jelly - they wobble about.

"This is the time to share a secret I have kept for quite a long time."

Nottinghamshire Police have started an official inquiry.  A spokesman confirmed: "We were not aware of Mr Gosling's comments until the BBC Inside Out programme was shown.

"We are now liaising with the BBC and will investigate the matter."

Dr Peter Saunders, of pressure group Care Not Killing, said that the case needed to reach court. He said: "We have a case, by Ray's account, not of assisted suicide but of intentional killing or murder."

Assisted suicide remains a criminal offence, but an increasingly controversial area in terms of prosecution.

When Gosling was asked by Inside Out presenter Marie Ashby if he had any remorse regarding the killing, he said: "Absolutely none. He was in terrible pain - I was there and I saw it. It breaks you into pieces. I don't think it's a crime.

"If he was looking down on me now he would be proud that I did it and proud I've told other people."

When asked about the dead person's family he said: "Some know, some don't. It's best that way. Let it be."

Gosling is a writer and broadcaster of hundreds of radio and TV documentaries, garnering numerous awards over his career.