BBC’s news coverage that may have “built up” Nigel Farage and Ukip haunts presenter Samira Ahmed. Ahmed, the host of the audience feedback show Newswatch on the BBC news channel, cited Robert Jenrick’s role as a housing secretary (who is involved in a £1bn development proposed by a Tory donor called Richard Desmond), Samira has also said that the members of the cabinet “won’t resign over obvious issues that you might have expected them to”. She had successfully sued the BBC for an equal pay case in 2019.
In comments likely to reignite concerns about impartiality, Ahmed, host of the audience feedback show Newswatch on the BBC News channel, also said members of the cabinet “won’t resign over obvious issues that you might have expected them to”, citing Robert Jenrick’s role as housing secretary in a £1 billion development proposed by Richard Desmond, a Tory donor.
Ahmed said, “I’m haunted by that and I remember talking to editors about it,” she said. Hislop dismissed the view that panel shows should invite only people “who are considered absolutely acceptable”. He said: “That’s untenable and slightly dangerous. And also, there is a problem — and this is the same problem as giving people the vote I’m afraid — that if you allow people airtime, which they probably are allowed, people might like them.”
The BBC has said, “All BBC news and current affairs journalists must avoid appearing to express personal views. We have discussed the video [of the event] with Samira and she is clear that she was referring to being ‘haunted’ by the number of complaints rather than trying to give a wider commentary.”
