Former Met Police detective Peter Bleksley has launched a furious attack on the BBC after shocking details emerged about a drill rapper promoted by the broadcaster.
Jake Fahri, who performs under the name TEN, was jailed for life for the murder of 16-year-old Jimmy Mizen in a south London bakery in 2008.
After serving 14 years behind bars, Fahri was released in June 2023.
Since his release, Fahri has turned to rap and won praise from BBC DJ Theo Johnson who said he “really stands out”.
Peter Bleksley said the BBC has failed in its due diligence
SPOTIFY / PA / MET POLICE / GB NEWS
Speaking on GB News, Bleksley hit out at the broadcaster, saying they have displayed an unacceptable lack of due diligence.
“These lyrics promote violence. They promote taking other people’s lives. It is absolutely beyond the pale that the BBC had a radio presenter that’s promoted them and heaped praise upon them”, he said.
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“What on earth is the point of having a national broadcaster if it does not carry out sufficient due diligence to ensure that true like this never reaches the airwaves?
“The same national broadcaster banned a song at Christmas because it was called ‘Freezing this Christmas’ and may have had an element of critiquing the prime minister.
“You have a national broadcaster who won’t play that but will play appalling lyrics and promote it. It’s disgraceful.”
The teenager bled to death at Three Cooks Bakery in London after Fahri threw a glass baking dish that shattered and severed an artery in his neck.
Mizen (R), who was described by the Met Police as an ‘immaculate character’, bled to death after Fahri (L) threw a large glass dish that shattered and severed an artery in his neckPA
Fahri, who now lives in Deptford with his dog, has been making music featuring violent themes since his release from HMP Long Lartin.
The attack occurred the day after Jimmy’s 16th birthday, when the 6ft 4in student died in his brother Tommy’s arms.
The rapper’s uncensored lyrics on Spotify and YouTube appear to reference the killing, with one track stating: “Stuck it on a man and watched him melt like Ben and Jerry’s.”
The Ministry of Justice has launched an urgent investigation into the rapper’s content.
Shadow Justice Minister Robert Jenrick has called on the BBC to apologise to the Mizen family, saying: “Licence-fee payers will be horrified the BBC is promoting music from a man who committed a murder which shocked Britain.”
Jimmy’s mother Margaret Mizen MBE responded: “If this is true, I am very saddened as it will be a shock to the rest of my family.”
The BBC said: “Decisions on music are made case by case.
“We have strict editorial guidelines in place before any content is broadcast or posted.
“BBC 1Xtra does not glamorise violence.”