Anti-Low Traffic Neighbourhood group complains to BBC about Jeremy Vine

Jeremy Vine has been reported to the BBC for using social media over claims that he has “bullIed and intimidated” campaigners opposed to low traffic neighbourhoods by alleging they had “decapitated garden flowers” belonging to a keen cyclist.

In a row nicknamed “Tulip Gate”, the Radio 2 presenter posted an image on his Twitter account of flower heads laid out on a doormat at the home of a neighbour in West London.

The broadcaster, a cycling campaigner, wrote: “A woman in my area has been relentless in arguing the case for safe cycling. She has had much abuse from the local anti-cycling group which is raising £50,000 to get our new cycle lane torn out.

“Yesterday, she woke to find all the flowers in her front garden had been decapitated.”

Now, a leading member of One Chiswick, opposed to road closures and pop-up cycle lanes, has written to the BBC Director General, Tim Davie, insisting Mr Vine, 55, has made unfounded “libellous and defamatory” claims against them.

Margie Frew says Mr Vine has suggested members of the group had “committed criminal acts, including trespass, vandalism and intimidation and harassment.”

The row is the latest example illustrating how divided communities have become over Grant Shapps’s so-called “green transport revolution”, a policy meant to promote walking and cycling.

After seeing the tweet, Jo Rigby, a Wandsworth Labour councillor in favour of the Tory’s ‘low traffic neighbour’ (LTN) policy, set up a Just Giving page to help replace the flowers. More than £2,600 has been raised by cyclists, including a donation from British Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman.

Ms Frew insists that Mr Vine, who has 750,000 Twitter followers, has unfairly described One Chiswick members as “anti-bike”, explaining how she and her husband are both keen cyclists.

The group instead say they are exercising their “democratic right” to oppose LTNs because road closures have had little or no public consultation, can slow emergency response times and shift traffic and pollution to main roads, often affecting poorer communities.

The letter, seen by The Telegraph, explains how Mr Vine did not name the group directly, but “it can only be that he meant it to be the resident group One Chiswick, which he claims is anti-cycling.”

She says he has “no evidence” to back his claims anyone in the group cut the heads off at least 30 flowers.

“Mr Vine believes he could make these inflammatory accusations without fear of repercussion,” she wrote.

“You will appreciate that these assertions are, unless proven, not only libellous and defamatory, but seeking to bully, intimidate and control people with whom he disagrees.”

She says the alleged victim of the “floral crime”, a former BBC employee, has used social media in the past to complain how squirrels have in fact “decapitated” her tulips during Spring time.

Demanding an apology from Mr Vine, Ms Frew says the broadcaster is “prepared to engage in the promotion of lies, as well as potentially being involved in the fabrication of evidence to bully, intimidate and defame myself and others.”

She adds: “It would appear that Mr Vine feels emboldened, confident that the BBC guidelines bear no teeth and he can ignore them.”

A BBC spokeswoman confirmed its Executive Complaints Unit was dealing with the complaint, adding: ““Jeremy is aware of his duty under the BBCs social media guidelines.”

Mr Vine failed to respond to requests for a comment.

BBC guidance on staff use of social media stresses the importance of maintaining the corporation’s reputation for impartiality by ensuring comments do not show they are “influenced by personal interest or bias”.

Breach of the guidance can lead to disciplinary action and even termination of a contract.