A parents’ group representing more than 650 families is threatening legal action over what it claims is “dangerous” BBC coverage of transgender issues that could put vulnerable children at risk of copycat suicide.
The Bayswater Support Group has sent a formal pre-action letter warning that unless action is taken within 14 days, they will take the case to the High Court.
The parents argue linking gender questioning to suicide risk - particularly in mainstream political and current affairs shows - risks sending a devastating message to distressed teenagers.
They argue that if struggling young viewers hear that failing to affirm a child’s gender identity could lead to suicide, it could reinforce feelings of hopelessness - and increase the risk of copycat behaviour.
The controversy came into sharp focus during an edition of Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg hosted by Laura Kuenssberg, where the discussion turned to youth gender distress and suicide risk.
During the programme, contributors raised claims about the mental health risks facing gender-questioning young people.
In its legal correspondence, the group relies on guidance from Samaritans on responsible reporting of suicide.
The suicide charity warns against presenting suicide as the result of a single cause and caution that over-simplified explanations can lead to “copycat behaviour”, particularly among young people.
The BBC could face legal action
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Its guidance stresses that suicide is usually the result of multiple complex factors - and should not be portrayed as an inevitable consequence of one issue.
Bayswater argues broadcasters must take extreme care when discussing suicide in the context of gender identity - especially when programmes are widely available to under-18s.
“The law is clear that under-18s must be protected from harm,” the pre-action letter states.
The group says the BBC has safeguarding duties under its Royal Charter and UK broadcasting law - and that those duties apply regardless of how politically sensitive the topic may be.
The legal action is aimed at Ofcom, which oversees the BBC under the Communications Act and the BBC Framework Agreement.
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The legal question centres around an edition of Laura Kuenssberg's show
| BBCOfcom’s Broadcasting Code requires that under-18s are protected from harmful material.
But the regulator says it examines complaints on a programme-by-programme basis, usually after viewers have gone through the BBC’s own complaints system.
In correspondence cited in the letter, Ofcom said it enforces standards by looking at specific broadcasts within defined time limits.
Bayswater’s lawyers argue that when it comes to child safety, that approach is too narrow.
They say Ofcom has the power to investigate when there is a broader safeguarding failure - and that it has “misdirected itself in law” by refusing to consider the bigger picture.
The claims have not been tested in court.
If the case proceeds, judges will decide whether Ofcom has failed in its duty to properly safeguard children by declining to examine whether there is a wider pattern of risk in the BBC’s coverage.
Ofcom now has 14 days to respond.
If it refuses to reconsider, the case is expected to move to the High Court.
The BBC has defended its response to complaints over its trans coverage and said it has made changes to its handling of trans issues.
It said the Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg panel represented a good range of views and was duly impartial.
An Ofcom spokesman said: “We confirm we have received this letter and will reply in due course.”
Anyone who is in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide can call the Samaritans anonymously for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.