Back in September I wrote an article about local businessman David Craig, owner of Kings Food located in Alfaz del Pi who was interviewed for the BBC documentary "This World".

The episode, called "The Great Spanish Crash" was broadcast last Sunday evening (16th) at 7pm on BBC 2.
Having been involved in part of the research process with director Alicia Arse, I watched and listened with great interest.... it is worth trying to catch it on iPlayer if possible.

It certainly gave a very candid and honest overview of the economic situation in the region - which focused mainly on Valencia and San Miguel de Salinas (near Torrevieja). It opened with a shot of Benidorm and holiday makers being interviewed on the beach front, who spoke very positively about the resort and why they come back every year. But then it cut to mass protest marches in Alicante, showing people marching in objection to the recent cuts to benefits, rise in taxes, growing unemployment and unrest which have been implemented by the Government to cut public spending.

But the mayor of Valencia, Rita Barbera has filed a complaint against the BBC stating that the story is based on "absolute falsehoods and manipulations of the truth". She has admitted to not having actually seen the programme, so how she has come to this conclusion is beyond me! The BBC reported on the waste of public money in the Valencian region on the construction of Government buildings to which the mayor took great offense. But if you go to the city, there is an organised bus tour by a group trying to highlight the areas and places where public money has been wasted.

David being interviewed in September at Kings Food HQ

The Spanish ambassador, Federico Trillo has also filed a complaint to the producer claiming that the show reflected the "economic weakness of the economy but not the strengths".  Having watched the programme and also living in the country I can only say that it was a very accurate portrayal of the situation here. It makes it sound like these two are walking around with their heads buried in the sand if they cannot accept that there are real problems, not only here granted but across most other European countries too.