Complaint
A caller to this programme expressed the view that Sir Kier Starmer should be replaced as leader of the Labour Party by Jeremy Corbyn. A listener complained that, when asked for her reasons by Stephen Nolan, her answer reflected “a classic antisemitic conspiracy theory alleging covert Jewish or Zionist control of democratic government” which should have been challenged – but instead a guest in the studio endorsed her view. The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the BBC’s editorial standards relating to offence.
Outcome
In answer to Mr Nolan’s question, the caller said “The reason we’ve got so many problems in this Government is because the present Government is under the control of Tel Aviv, under the control of Zionists. They’re not able to make any proper decisions that would do anything to help this country, they’re too busy helping Tel Aviv, the Zionists in Tel Aviv”. The ECU agreed that, on the face of it, the caller’s answer fitted the listener’s description – and, even allowing for the possibility that there was some other explanation for her remarks, the ECU considered that the offensiveness inherent in the more obvious explanation called for comment by Mr Nolan. The complaint was upheld in that respect. However, the ECU did not agree that the studio guest’s comment that the caller was “onto something” in expressing a preference for Mr Corbyn amounted to an endorsement of the view expressed in her answer, because he went on to explain what he meant by reference to aspects of Mr Corbyn’s policies which explained his continuing appeal to some Labour voters, such as supporting working class communities, introducing a wealth tax and investing in public services. This aspect of the complaint was not upheld.
Partly upheld
Further action
The finding was reported to the management of BBC News and discussed with the editorial team concerned.