Network pulls ‘exclusive’ video after reporter covering Pride parade in London mistook satirical flag depicting different styles of dildos for Islamic State insignia

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

CNN has withdrawn a video after staff at the Pride parade in London mistook a flag showing sex toys for that of Islamic State.

In an “exclusive” report on Saturday, the CNN anchor said: “The Isis flag amongst a sea of rainbow colours was spotted by a CNN international assignment editor.”

CNN journalist Lucy Pawle told viewers she had seen “a man dressed in black and white waving what appeared to be very bad mimicry, but a very clear attempt to mimic, the Isis flag – the black and white flag with the distinctive lettering.”

She added: “I mean, If you look at the flag closely, it’s clearly not Arabic, in fact it looks like it could be goobledygook, but it’s very distinctive – the Isis flag.”

Pawle said she was the only one to have spotted the “distinctive” banner.

She continued: “I seem to be the only person who had spotted this, and nobody seems to be raising any questions or pointing it out, so I immediately went to an events organiser who said he didn’t know anything about it.

“I also spoke to the police nearby, who weren’t aware either.”

Pawle’s mistake was pointed out by viewers (some of whom she retweeted).

Jim (@jimdotsg) @lucypawle the ISIS flag at the Pride parade looked like gibberish because the "text" was actually outlines of sex toys. Obviously satire.

Марк Либатике (@markatique) .@lucypawle The markings on that flag isn't Arabic. It's dildos.

CNN took down video of the report from its website on Saturday afternoon.