BBC rules Miriam Margolyes was interviewed when she made ‘Jewish and vile’ remark to describe Oliver Twist villain Fagin wasn’t racist

The BBC has ruled that an interview in which Miriam Margolyes used the phrase “Jewish and vile” to describe Oliver Twist villain Fagin was not racist.

Miriam made the controversial comment while being interviewed by Kirsty Wark on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row – sparking outrage from listeners.

Anti-Semitic activists criticized the company after its highest complaints body refused to uphold an objection to the August 13 broadcast.

Asked about a memorable Charles Dickens character from her childhood, the Harry Potter actress, 83, replied: “Oh, Fagin without a doubt. Jewish and vile. She then said: “Back in the day, I didn’t know any such Jews. Unfortunately, I do now.

The BBC has ruled that an interview in which Miriam Margolyes used the phrase “Jewish and vile” to describe Oliver Twist villain Fagin was not racist.

Miriam made the controversial comment while being interviewed by Kirsty Wark (pictured) on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row – sparking outrage from listeners.

The full interview was available on the BBC Reading Service, but the remark was removed following a series of complaints, with the corporation accepting the comments ‘should have been challenged at the time’ .

A formal complaint was subsequently lodged with the BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit (ECU), alleging that the comments amounted to anti-Jewish racism and the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes.

But, although the channel chose to remove the quotes, the ECU rejected the complaint, according to The Telegraph.

In a letter explaining the BBC’s decision, Fraser Steel, the director of ECU, said he would be concerned about stereotyping if he believed the meaning behind Miriam’s comment was that she “now knew Jews who looked like Fagin.”

But he said the “most natural understanding” of the remark is that it refers to “vile”, rather than Fagin and the attributes that make his character stereotypical.

Jonathan Sacerdoti, a broadcaster and campaigner against anti-Jewish racism who filed a complaint, accused the BBC of “selective liability” this weekend

Mr Steel added that while Miriam’s comments “could be seen as insensitive” In light of what anti-Semitic activists have described as “the broader atmosphere of hatred and insecurity felt by many Jews”, he does not believe it is racism.

He concluded: “I do not think it can be considered racist for a member of a group to express an opinion about certain unspecified members of that group which is generally derogatory but without reference to real or supposed attributes of this group.”

Jonathan Sacerdoti, a broadcaster and campaigner against anti-Jewish racism who filed a complaint, this weekend accused the BBC of “selective liability”.

He said Kirsty Wark “remained silent”, allowing Miriam’s “deeply offensive remarks” to go under the radar.

Mr Sacerdoti added that he believed the BBC’s decision to remove the iPlayer segment was an admission of error and that it was for “totally inconsistent reasons” that it was refusing to uphold the claim. complaint.

Mr Steel’s response means Mr Sacerdoti cannot pursue his complaint within the BBC and his only option now would be to try to involve regulator Ofcom.

He argues that Margolyes is a person known for making offensive comments about Jews and that the BBC should have been prepared to challenge her.

A spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “It’s a sad reflection of these times when the host and audience of a BBC show just laugh while listening to a guest’s comments on the “vile” Jews.

“Yes, the guest is Jewish, but that doesn’t give her carte blanche to spew her disgusting feelings under the guise of ‘comedy.’

They added that it was “right” that the BBC had removed the clip, but said the refusal to admit the error was a “sad indication of the current state of society”.

A BBC spokesperson told the Jewish Chronicle in August: “This was an unexpected comment made during a live broadcast which should have been challenged at the time.

We took quick action to remove it from the program and it is no longer available.

Miriam – known for her outspokenness – has long criticized Israeli government policies, calling in August for Jews to “scream, beg, scream for a ceasefire in Gaza.”

MailOnline has attempted to contact representatives of Margolyes.