BBC director general Lord Hall has reversed a decision to partially uphold a complaint made against BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty after she had criticised the US President’s motives when he said four female politicians of colour should “go back” to “places from which they came”. In a letter to BBC colleagues he explained the in-depth investigation he made into “all arguments” and told staff that Munchettys’ words were “sufficient to merit a partial uphold” of the complaint against her.
The full letter to BBC colleagues said: “Dear All, The Executive Complaints Unit ruling has sparked an important debate about racism and its interpretation.
“Racism is racism and the BBC is not impartial on the topic. There was never a finding against Naga for what she said about the President’s tweet.
“Many of you asked that I personally review the decision of the ECU. I have done so.
“I have looked carefully at all the arguments that have been made and assessed all of the materials.
“I have also examined the complaint itself. It was only ever in a limited way that there was found to be a breach of our guidelines. These are often finely balanced and difficult judgements.
“But, in this instance, I don’t think Naga’s words were sufficient to merit a partial uphold of the complaint around the comments she made.
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“There was never any sanction against Naga and I hope this step makes that absolutely clear.
“She is an exceptional journalist and presenter and I am proud that she works for the BBC.
“I have asked the editorial and leadership team to discuss how we manage live exchanges on air around these topics in the future.
“Our impartiality is fundamental to our journalist and is what our audiences expect of us.”
It comes after the BBC ruled Munchetty broke the corporation’s rules when she commented on the US President telling a group of female Democrats to “go back” to “places from which they came”.
She said she herself had been told to “go back to where I came from” and comments were “embedded in racism”.
But the corporation’s decision was met with heavy criticism and backlash from fellow BBC employees and other journalists.
But the corporation’s decision was met with heavy criticism and backlash from fellow BBC employees and other journalists, as well as the public.
Sir Lenny Henry, comedian Gina Yashere and actor Adrian Lester were among a host of stars to write to the broadcaster branding its stance as “deeply flawed” and “illegal”.
Elsewhere, the likes of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Chancellor Sajid Javid have also criticised the ruling and aired support for Munchetty.
The whole transcript of the off-script conversation between the presenters was released by the BBC and Munchetty was heard addressing the “go home” comment.
Walker said: “That was the most telling quote for me last night.
“I can’t remember who said it but she said I’ve been told to go home many times to go back to where I’ve come from in my life but never by the man sitting in the Oval office.”
Munchetty said: “Every time I have been told, as a woman of colour, to go back to where I came from, that was embedded in racism.
“Now I’m not accusing anyone of anything here, but you know what certain phrases mean.”
Walker replied: “You’re sitting here not giving an opinion, but how do you feel as someone when you’ve been told that before, and when you hear that from him?”
To which Munchetty stated: “Furious. Absolutely furious.
“And I imagine a lot of people in this country will be feeling absolutely furious that a man in that position feels it’s okay to skirt the lines with using language like that.”
Walker continued: “So you feel his use of that then legitimises other people to use this…”
“Yes.. yes,” replied Munchetty.
“It feels like a thought-out strategy, to strengthen his position,” noted Walker.
Munchetty added: “And it is not enough to do it just to get attention… he’s in a responsible position.”
Express.co.uk has contacted Munchetty’s representative for a comment.
BBC Breakfast airs every day at 6am on BBC One.
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