BBC rules Miriam Margolyes’ ‘Jewish and vile’ remark was not racist

The BBC has ruled that a remark in which Miriam Margolyes used the phrase “Jewish and vile” was not racist.

Anti-Semitic campaigners have criticized the company after its highest complaints body overruled an objection to an August 13 Kirsty Wark interview with the Harry Potter actress on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row.

Asked about a memorable Dickens character from her childhood, Margolyes, 83, who is Jewish, replied: “Oh, Fagin without a doubt. Jewish and vile. She then said: “I did not know such Jews at the time. Unfortunately, I do now.

The interview was available in full on the BBC Reading Service, but the disputed remark was removed following complaints, with the corporation admitting they “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.

However, despite the company’s decision to remove the citations, the ECU dismissed the complaint, The Telegraph has learned.

In a letter setting out the BBC’s final decision, Fraser Steel, the head of the ECU, wrote: “I would be concerned about stereotyping if I thought the meaning of her remarks was that she now knew Jews who looked like to Fagin, but surely the The most natural understanding of “I didn’t know the Jews like that at the time, unfortunately I know them now” is surely that it refers to “vile”, rather than to Fagin and to the attributes that make his character stereotypical.

“And while expressing this sentiment might be considered insensitive in light of what you describe as “the broader atmosphere of hatred and insecurity felt by many Jews,” I don’t think it can be considered as racist it is that a member of a group expresses a view of some unspecified members of that group that is generally derogatory but without reference to real or perceived attributes of that group.

“Selective Liability”

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

“Kirsty Wark has remained silent, allowing Margolyes’ deeply offensive remarks to go unchecked, despite the BBC’s own guidelines on racism and extreme views,” he said.

“Furthermore, the BBC’s initial decision to remove the iPlayer comment was an acknowledgment of the error, but now, for completely inconsistent reasons, they are refusing to uphold my complaint.”

Mr Steel’s response means Mr Sacerdoti no longer has any recourse within the BBC to pursue his complaint. His only option now would be to try to involve the 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.

“Disgusting feelings”

A spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “It’s a sad reflection of those times when the host and audience of a BBC show simply laugh while listening to a guest’s comments about Jews “vile”. Yes, the guest happens to be Jewish, but that doesn’t give her carte blanche to spew her disgusting feelings under the guise of “comedy.”

“It is true that the BBC removed this comment from the final version of the programme, but the reluctance of the BBC complaints unit to admit serious wrongdoing is a sad indication of the BBC’s current situation.

“Why does the BBC seem to have such a blind spot when it comes to anti-Semitism?

The BBC referred to an earlier response, which said: “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.

Margolyes, who is no stranger to speaking out, has long criticized Israeli government policies, calling in August for Jews to “scream, beg, scream for a ceasefire in Gaza.”

The Telegraph has attempted to contact representatives for Margolyes.