The BBC has pulled a TV documentary featuring the man bidding to become the new police chief of the West Midlands – to investigate if the sale of a classic car was faked.
Mike Olley was filmed apparently selling a rare Lanchester, which once belonged to King George VI, to pawnbroker Gez Pountney for around £50,000.
The scene was recorded for the new BBC One documentary Cash Britain but the corporation has now pulled the opening episode to investigate if the scene ‘‘meets editorial standards’’.
Former Birmingham city councillor Mr Olley admitted that the car is still registered in his name – months after being sold to Mr Pountney, who runs the Uncles chain of pawnbrokers.
But he denied misleading the BBC and accused the broadcaster of “undertaking a degree of licence” over the footage, which he claimed he understood would not be aired.
“I would make it very clear that in fact I have never actually been a customer of Uncles, indeed not any pawnbroker,” he said in a statement.
“Nor did I receive any money from Uncles in respect of this car or any other item.”
A BBC spokeswoman said: “Information has come to light about some of the content of the programme which we will need to look into further. Whilst we are doing this we have decided to postpone the transmission of the show.”
