Journalism Practice - Brown/Janes Debate

Another quick practice article, written in four minutes....

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A message of condolence by Prime Minister Gordon Brown has backfired after Brown misspelt the name of a deceased soldier in a letter to his mother.

Mother Jacqui Janes received the letter of condolence after her son, Jamie Janes, was killed in Afghanistan. However, in the letter, it appears that Brown had misspelt Jamie’s last name – managing to write ‘James’ instead of ‘Janes’.

Brown apologised upon hearing the accusation, and confessed that his handwriting and eyesight had always been bad from an early age. The error was in no way intended, and Brown has expressed his deepest apologies for any harm caused.

Messages of condolence are always hand-written by Prime Minister Brown upon hearing of a death at war. In these letters, Brown writes how the soldier had been a hero for the country whilst expressing his sorrow regarding the soldier’s death. This is the first letter to have been reported misspelt, and although the letters have been reported to be rushed, it is one of Brown’s personal policies that bereaving families get recognition from himself of their loss.

Jacqui Janes has publicly expressed her anger and upset regarding the spelling error, accusing Brown of mindlessly writing the letter without any sincere empathy. She has told national newspapers that she is disgusted by Brown, and would have rather received nothing than a misspelt letter.