Statistical Nonsense

[heganboy]

I have seen some complete rubbish quoted as statistics, but can anyone top this?

Taken from the BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6707163.stm

Gay rights campaigner Andrew Muir said the comments were harmful.

"Our research proves that 29% of young people have actually attempted suicide because of homophobia in society and I think these comments are very concerning," he said.

29% of young people have attempted suicide because of homophobia in society? I think perhaps not...
(no Vic Reeves quotes please)

[full back]

I know it didnt coma across, but did he mean 29% of young gay people?
Either way, it is a crock of sh1t

[AZOffaly]

Perhaps he meant 29% of people WHO HAVE attempted suicide gave homophobia as the reason.

[heganboy]

maybe 29% of people who committed suicide were interviewed afterwards and said they did it because of homophobia

[dec]

The 29% comment seems to have been removed from the article now. Maybe someone at the BBC realised that it was rubbish.