Labour leadership contender Owen Smith called 999 instead of press office when he worked as a BBC journalist

BUNGLING Labour leadership hopeful Owen Smith once called 999 instead of the police press office to check on a developing crime story, it emerged yesterday.

The major gaffe happened when Mr Smith was working as a BBC radio producer, Newsnight reported.

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And it triggered an official complaint from the Metropolitan Police, the show said.

Respected political journalist Nick Watt told viewers: “During his time as a BBC radio producer, he was once asked to get a police response to an unfolding crime story. Smith telephoned 999, prompting an official complaint from the Met.”

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Mr Smith, who will go head-to-head with Jeremy Corbyn for the Labour crown, spent 10 years working for the BBC on shows including BBC Radio Four’s Today programme and BBC Wales show Dragon’s Eye.

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The Met said it could not find any record of the complaint.

Mr Smith’s team declined to comment.