Evri sues BBC for £1.2 million over Panorama documentary

Delivery company Evri is suing the BBC for about £1.2 million in damages over a Panorama documentary that aired last December. The claim centers on a 15-minute segment within the 29-minute program titled Evri: Where’s My Parcel? Court documents state the segment suggested the firm deployed exploitative business practices and misled Parliament by falsely assuring lawmakers that couriers were not paid below the national minimum wage.

Evri delivers around 900 million parcels a year. Its legal team argues the broadcast caused the loss of prospective contracts estimated to generate £1,164,434 in pre-tax profits.

” The company is also seeking general damages and an injunction to prevent repetition of the claims. It further claims management spent £32,843 responding to clients and giving evidence to a House of Commons committee as a direct result of the broadcast.

Tomlinson added that future courier recruitment is likely to be affected because potential workers may believe they cannot earn the minimum wage with the firm.

BBC response The BBC has not yet filed a defense and has said it does not comment on ongoing legal proceedings. The documentary remains available on BBC iPlayer. Its description states that Panorama investigated pressures on couriers and that Evri disputes the claims, saying its couriers earn more than the national minimum wage and that it provides a fast, reliable service.

A hearing date has not been set.