Sky News is facing a potential investigation by Ofcom after a woman was found dead in a hotel days after being confronted by a Sky reporter over online comments about Kate and Gerry McCann. Brenda Leyland, 63, from Burton Overy, Leicestershire, was found dead at a Marriott hotel. Leicestershire Police confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious, and a coroner's investigation will examine the circumstances.
Sky News reporter Martin Brunt confronted Leyland about her Twitter activity, where she used the pseudonym Sweepyface to post critical comments about the McCanns, whose daughter Madeleine disappeared in Portugal in 2007. Leyland told Brunt she was 'entitled' to attack them and was not worried about prosecution. Brunt has denied harassment, stating, 'Show me where I stalked, chased. There was none of that.'
Ofcom has received 60 complaints about the doorstepping, mostly after Leyland's death. The regulator will review footage before deciding on a formal investigation, focusing on potential breaches of broadcasting rules on harm, offence, fairness, and privacy. Sky said it was 'saddened' by her death and declined further comment.
The Metropolitan Police are assessing a dossier on anti-McCann online activity, which was passed to them and led to the confrontation. They are consulting with the Crown Prosecution Service and the McCann family. Gerry McCann had previously called for more prosecutions over internet abuse but said he had not read Leyland's tweets.
The case has highlighted a bitter online divide between McCann supporters and those alleging a cover-up. Leyland's supporters claim she was a victim of a 'snitch dossier' compiled by McCann supporters, and a Facebook group has called for Brunt's sacking.
