BBC apologises to Robert Jenrick over suggestions he is xenophobic
Why did BBC apologise to Robert Jenrick?
- The BBC has apologised to Robert Jenrick after a refugee charity director suggested he was xenophobic during a Radio 4 programme.
- Krish Kandiah of Sanctuary Foundation claimed Jenrick had increased "fear of the stranger" and used the term "xenophobia" twice
- Jenrick accused the broadcaster of smearing "millions of worried citizens" as xenophobic for their "understandable fears" regarding illegal migration.
- Roger Mahony, BBC's head of editorial standards, stated the comments went "well beyond" the segment's expectations and removed the xenophobia references from BBC Sounds.
- The controversy stems from Jenrick's remarks on asylum seekers and public concerns, including protests at hotels housing asylum seekers.