Moment disabled woman refused use of bus wheelchair space by mums with buggies

The Mirror reports Maria Whitefield's account of being unable to board a London bus because two buggies occupied the wheelchair space, and gives TfL's rules and its apology. One small slip: the opening line states in the Mirror's own voice that she was "forced" off, where the body attributes that word to her. Otherwise the report is fair and attributed.

1. States one side's claim as fact

   Minor

   “being forced to get off a bus after two mums refused to move their buggies”

   Why this matters

   The words "being forced to get off" state in the Mirror's own voice that she was made to leave the bus.

   The impression it gives

   A reader takes it as established fact that she was forced off, before learning this is her account.

   The context

   Later the Mirror attributes this to her. It reports that she "felt 'forced'" to get off and that she said the mothers refused. The opening drops that attribution. The two mothers are unnamed and do not give their side.

   How we know

   • Elsewhere in the article“Maria said she felt ‘forced’ to get off”
   • Elsewhere in the article“She said they refused.”