BBC newsreaders told to read out phone numbers

The BBC has ordered news presenters to read out all telephone numbers and internet addresses flashed up on screen - for fear of offending blind people.

An email has been sent to newsreaders including Huw Edwards, Fiona Bruce and Kate Silverton warning the corporation could face a discrimination lawsuit for failing to read out numbers and addresses in full.

The email was sent two days ago by Peter Horrocks, head of the BBC's multimedia newsroom, and one of the most senior corporation employees.

Telephone numbers are often written on screen during appeals, and the BBC routinely gives out email and web addresses.

But the memo has exasperated senior staff. One insider told the Evening Standard: "This is political correctness gone mad. All the BBC's big-name presenters received this email from Peter Horrocks saying that whenever they refer to an on screen phone number or email address they should no longer say, 'You can see the number on the screen now', because it might offend blind people - and could even be illegal.

"But where does it end? Does that mean presenters will be banned from saying: 'If you don't want to know the football scores look away from the screen now', because that could be just as offensive. It's insanity."

A BBC spokeswoman said: "A significant number of blind people use TV news, so it makes sense with numbers and addresses to spell them, so everyone can access the information."