News anchor suspended for half a year after lying about being in downed helicopter in Iraq

Brian Williams apologised after saying that he was in a helicopter that was hit by a grenade while covering the conflict in 2003.

18:12 11 February 2015

NBC has suspended news anchor Brian Williams after it emerged that he lied about being in a downed helicopter in Iraq. Williams apologised last week for misleading the public when he released the story while covering the conflict in 2003.

President of NBC News, Deborah Turness made the announcement in a memo to staff at New York headquarters. She said: “This was wrong and completely inappropriate for someone in Brian’s position.”

Williams made the claim during a special tribute at ice hockey game for a retired military officer, who he said saved his life when a Chinook helicopter he was traveling in was hit by a rocket propelled grenade and forced down out of the sky.

However, individuals who witnessed the incident disagree with Mr Williams saying that he was not in the helicopter that day. 

Deborah Turness added: “In addition, we have concerns about comments that occurred outside NBC News while Brian was talking about his experiences in the field.

“Brian has a responsibility to be truthful and to uphold the high standards of the news division at all times.”