Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has announced she will hold an “urgent meeting” with BBC bosses after the broadcaster admitted that its controversial Gaza documentary “damaged trust”.
Nandy, who earlier this week suggested a meeting with BBC director-general Tim Davie was on the cards, released a new statement about her intention to meet the broadcaster’s boss to obtain “assurances”.
Broadcasting House came under fire after its Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone was pulled from iPlayer for using the son of Hamas’s deputy agriculture minister Ayman Alyazouri as its narrator.
The BBC subsequently admitted that the family had been paid for the work.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is intending to challenge the BBC
PA
In her statement, Nandy said: “The BBC has acknowledged serious failings by them and the production company Hoyo Films.
“The public rightly holds the BBC to the highest standards of reporting and governance which is why I will be having an urgent meeting with the BBC Chair later today.
“I want assurances that no stone will be left unturned by the fact-finding review now commissioned by the BBC’s director general.
“This review must be comprehensive, rigorous and get to the bottom of exactly what has happened in this case.
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The film was removed from BBC iPlayer after it was revealed that the young narrator of the film was the son of a Hamas ministerBBC“It is critical for trust in the BBC that this review happens quickly, and that appropriate action is taken on its findings.”
A spokesman for the BBC also admitted “unacceptable” flaws in the documentary, adding that the incident had “damaged” trust in the corporation’s journalism.
Following the incident, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch hinted that the Conservative Party could pivot its position to scrap the licence fee.
Shadow Culture Secretary Stuart Andrew also raised fresh concerns that public funds had “indirectly supported a terrorist organisation”.
After the BBC became aware of the 13-year-old narrator being connected with Hamas, the broadcaster added a disclaimer to the programme and later removed it from its online catch-up service.
Tim Davie photographed outside the BBC ScotlandPAThe issue of impartiality led to yet more protests outside Broadcasting House, with one demonstrator claiming: “It was the world’s first port of call for global and national news, respected for its integrity and neutrality. But that BBC is long gone.”
In a statement released last night, a BBC spokesman said: “BBC News takes full responsibility for these and the impact that these have had on the corporation’s reputation. We apologise for this.”
Hoyo Films, who were commissioned to make the film, said in another statement: “We are co-operating fully with the BBC and Peter Johnston (director of editorial complaints and reviews) to help understand where mistakes have been made.
“We feel this remains an important story to tell, and that our contributors – who have no say in the war – should have their voices heard.”