Ben Brown appeared to touch the woman’s breast as he pushed her away when she interrupted an interview live on air

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

BBC presenter Ben Brown was slapped after appearing to touch a woman’s breast as he pushed her away when she interrupted an interview live on air.

Brown was mid-interview with the BBC’s assistant political editor Norman Smith on the streets of Bradford when a passerby stepped into the shot, and looked into the camera saying “absolutely fantastic” with a thumbs up.

The BBC news presenter reached out and pushed the woman away, his hand on her chest, as he continued with the interview. Looking surprised, the woman slapped his arm and walked away.

Brown, who is a presenter for the BBC’s rolling news later said the incident had been “completely unintentional”.

Ben Brown (@BenBrownBBC) Unfortunate interruption of broadcast in Bradford - just tried to minimise disruption but v tricky live on air - completely unintentional

The BBC would not confirm if there had been any complaints about Brown’s actions but said that no further action would be taken against Brown as it was “clearly an accident”.