HEAVENS ABOVE!
BBC’s head of religious telly is an ATHEIST
THE BBC were engulfed in a holy war of words yesterday after the head of religious programmes openly confessed to being – an atheist.
James Purnell was speaking on the Today programme to promote the corporation’s commitment to setting up a new unit devoted to improving religious coverage.
But Purnell, who was appointed the BBC’s director of radio and education in November last year, stunned the audience when he admitted he was a non-believer.
During a interview, presenter Nick Robinson asked: “Are you a religious man?” to which a flustered Purnell replied: “I’m not.
“I’m an atheist but I think the issues around belief are incredibly important to how we live.”
Robinson asked him: “Is that not a problem though? You’re doing it as part of a very busy job and you don’t even believe.”
Purnell replied: “If you look at our audience, some people have very strong religious views, some people have strong atheistic views.
“Actually, the people who work at the BBC have a wide range of views. We all have different views, we leave them at the door to make great programmes.” Listeners expressed outrage, with some calling for Purnell to resign from his role.
Joan Winter, 50, of Warwick, said: “It just shows how little the BBC care about catering for those of us who, heaven forbid, actually do believe and go to church.
“If Mr Purnell had an ounce of integrity, he would resign and let someone more suited to the role take over.”