MPs Call For Inquiry Into BBC After 'Institutional Racism' Allegations
A number of prominent MPs are calling for an inquiry into allegations of “institutional racism” at the BBC made by its own staff.
Former shadow cabinet members Diane Abbott and Dawn Butler are among those to speak out following our exclusive investigation into claims by staff that they were denied career development opportunities, or bullied and silenced by an ineffective complaints procedure.
“The BBC needs to listen to its own Black staff and stop paying lip service to diversity,” Abbott told HuffPost UK.
Current staffers with total experience spanning over 100 years have called out a “toxic working environment” at the national broadcaster. Morale is also said to be at an “all-time low” among Black BBC staff who were banned from publicly supporting Black Lives Matter but watched on as their employer defended its use of the N-word.
In response to the allegation of institutional racism, the BBC said it was “an inclusive and welcoming organisation” and was “saddened if anyone is experiencing any form of discrimination at work.”
A spokesperson added: “That is why, as an organisation, we have put so much effort into ensuring that we have robust processes in place for staff to raise complaints which will be dealt with the utmost seriousness.”
Labour MP Abbott, who spent 12 years working on the BBC programme This Week, said the claims were “very concerning”.
The former shadow home secretary told HuffPost UK: “Over the years we are seeing more Black and minority ethnic presenters on the BBC but the numbers of Black producers are still pitifully small. The BBC needs to listen to its own Black staff and stop paying lip service to diversity.”
Calling for government intervention on the matter, Abbott added that other media companies also have improvements to make around racism and diversity – but stated the public licence-fee paying corporation should be held to account.
“There is no reason to believe that the BBC is any more...
