Louise Woodward Speaks Out on Baby Matthew Eappen's Death

Strategic Insights -

Louise Woodward, convicted of the manslaughter of eight-month-old Matthew Eappen, is set to give a rare interview to the BBC's Martin Bashir about her involvement in the case. Woodward claims she was made a scapegoat for the baby's death and will discuss her life as an au pair in the Eappen household, her arrest, trial, and the fight to clear her name. The interview, which will be broadcast tonight, is expected to provide answers to long-standing questions about Matthew's death and Woodward's role in it.

Key Takeaways:

  • Woodward claims she was blamed for Matthew's death because "somebody had to pay" and that she was made a scapegoat for the tragedy.
  • In the interview, Woodward will discuss her life as an au pair in the Eappen household, her view of the family, and her reaction to the trial and the fight to clear her name.
  • Woodward will also talk about her desperate attempts to cope with Matthew on the day he was admitted to hospital with brain injuries.
  • The interview was recorded on Saturday at a secret location in Woodward's home village of Elton, Cheshire.
  • Woodward's mother, Sue, has promised that the interview will provide "lots of answers" to questions about Matthew's death.
  • Woodward was not paid for talking to Panorama, and the BBC plans to distribute the program internationally for free.

Statistics:

  • Matthew Eappen was eight months old when he died.
  • Woodward was 20 years old at the time of the interview.
  • The pound 40,000 payment to the Eappen family for interviews with the Daily Mail was defended by their MP, Andrew Miller.
  • The Press Complaints Commission's code of practice was not breached by the payment, according to Miller.
  • The BBC's Martin Bashir is a seasoned interviewer, known for his nine-hour interview with Diana, Princess of Wales in 1995.

Sources:

  • BBC Panorama
  • The Times
  • The Guardian
  • Daily Mail