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Source: Reuters
The BBC has suspended all business with an independent television company while investigating claims that a New Zealand cameraman on a daytime show hosted by Angela Rippon faked a sale by one competitor.
The row has erupted after cameraman Craig Harman allegedly posed as a member of the public on BBC2 auction programme Sun, Sea and Bargain Spotting, the broadcastnow.co.uk news website reported.
The episode under investigation was originally shown last July but repeated on August 19.
In the show, two competitors went bargain hunting for antiques in France and then attempted to make a profit on a market stall in London. While attempting to sell an "acrylic panel" Harman walked up and offered 25 pounds ($NZ61) for the item.
The series has been taken off air and the programme-maker, Reef TV, has been ordered to cease production on a new series of BBC2 show Trash to Cash.
A BBC spokesman said: "The BBC is extremely disappointed that Reef Television's production practices have misled the audience and us. We take this matter seriously and have suspended all business with them, with their agreement, while we investigate".
The BBC was hit by a 400,000 pound fine last year over faking phone-ins on shows such as Children in Need, Blue Peter and Comic Relief, where production staff posed as winners.
Reef Television said it had launched its own inquiry. It employs 50 people, of which 12 are full time staff, and has a turn over of four million pounds.
Harman's own website described him as having "an enthusiastic and passionate character" who "prides himself on not only getting the best out of the camera but also the people in front of it".
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