Radio 4’ s Emma snubbed by guest in ‘ anti- Semitism’ row
AN ACTRESS hung up on Woman’s Hour presenter Emma Barnett just seconds before going on air, claiming the new host had made “degrading and vile” comments about her.
Yesterday’s clash took place as Kelechi Okafor was about to discuss the # MeToo movement in connection with movie mogul Harvey Weinstein’s trial for sex offences.
Ms Barnett, 35, who took over the BBC Radio 4 show on Monday, said Ms Okafor’s refusal came after she was challenged over previous alleged anti- Semitic comments.
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Ms Okafor later claimed in a tweet she withdrew “because what I’ve just had to witness is absolutely degrading and vile”.
She added: “The host didn’t realise her mic was on as she was talking about me before the interview started is all I’m going to say.
“You can have a genuine concern about something you’ve been told about me and address it in a manner that is kind. That wasn’t what took place. Myself and the other people who would be talking during the segment could hear me being talked about like a d*******.”
Ms Barnett said she learned Ms Okafor had made alleged anti- Semitic remarks while defending presenter Reggie Yates in 2017, for using the phrase “fat Jewish guy” while discussing music business managers.
The host said she was discussing with producers the role of the guest in light of her comments because Weinstein is Jewish.
She tweeted: “Kelechi overheard that chat on our open Zoom link – with two minutes to airtime.
“I then directly talked to Kelechi about the allegations, standing by my queries, and said she could put her response across in the programme.
“She denied the allegations and hung up, choosing to no longer be part of the programme.”
Ms Barnett, who replaced presenter Jane Garvey on Woman’s Hour, added that she was “greatly enjoying” her first week.