BBC sparks fury over 'disgraceful' decision to brand Labour's election win as a 'coup'

The BBC has come under fire for calling Labour's recent landmark win a Cornwall constituency a "coup" in a swiftly-changed headline.

The online article is centred on fishermen in Looe, South East Cornwall, reacting to their constituency becoming a Labour seat for the first time.

Fisherman Richard Chapman argued that his industry has been overlooked by "every government" and so is skeptical about what Labour will do to change that.

He told the outlet: "I voted Conservative, it seemed the lesser of two evils. I've no clue what Labour's policy is on fishing but every government so far has been a let down."

The original headline read: "Gloomy in Looe as fishermen reflect on Labour coup", but was later changed to "Gloom in Looe as fishermen reflect on Labour win".

This has sparked backlash online, with one outraged reader saying: "Dear @BBC. It was not a 'coup' it was an election, in a democracy, in which Labour won with a majority. Get over yourselves and start reporting responsibly."

Chapman expressed his fears that the new Labour government would once again forget about the fishing industry because it doesn't make enough money as others.

He goes on to say: "I always have hope but I don't know if it's realistic. We're such a small part of the country's GDP that we are always overlooked for industries worth a lot more income to the government. I would say to the new MP look after the little man - the independent fishers."

The new MP is Labour's Anna Gelderd who beat long-standing Conservative MP for South East Cornwall, Sheryll Murray.

Fisherman Dave Bond, who also voted Conservative, said he thinks the country is "going to be in a mess" but referred to the Tories as "the devil you know".

He said: "I had a personal connection with Sheryll Murray ... She always did her best for the fishing. As much as I feel the country's in a mess, I think it's going to be in a mess whichever way you vote ... Better the devil you know than the devil you don't."

Another said: "Who on earth wrote this headline, and which editor approved it? The fact that @BBCNews used the words "Labour coup" to describe a perfectly legitimate and fair election is utterly disgraceful."

Bond said restrictions and quotas are hindering the UK's fishing industry and expressed doubt over whether Labour can do anything to change that.

He said: "The restrictions, the rules, the quotas, it's all letting the industry down big time. Whether a change of party will solve that problem I really don't know."

Labour had won 326 of the 650 seats by 5am on Friday, making Keir Starmer the party's first prime minister in 14 years and allowing him to form a majorty government.

The BBC has been contacted for comment.