BBC makes U-turn on presenter complaint decision

The BBC’s director general Lord Hall has reversed a decision to partially uphold a complaint against Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty.

He told staff last night that Ms Munchetty’s words were not “sufficient to merit a partial uphold” of the complaint against her.

She had criticised US President Donald Trump’s motives after he said four female politicians of colour should “go back” to “places from which they came”.

But after personally reviewing the decision of the complaints unit, Mr Hall stressed that “racism is racism and the BBC is not impartial on the topic”.

The corporation said the complaint was originally partially upheld because its editorial guidelines did not allow for journalists to give their opinions about an individual making remarks or their motives for doing so.

The U-turn comes after dozens of black actors and broadcasters called on the BBC to overturn its decision to uphold the complaint against Ms Munchetty.

In a message sent to all BBC staff, Lord Hall said: “The Executive Complaints Unit ruling has sparked an important debate about racism and its interpretation.

“Racism is racism and the BBC is not impartial on the topic. There was never a finding against Naga for what she said about the president’s tweet.

“Many of you asked that I personally review the decision of the ECU. I have looked carefully at all the arguments that have been made and assessed all of the materials. I have also examined the complaint itself.

“It was only ever in a limited way that there was found to be a breach of our guidelines. These are often finely balanced and difficult judgments.

“But, in this instance, I don’t think Naga’s words were sufficient to merit a partial uphold of the complaint around the comments she made.

“There was never any sanction against Naga and I hope this step makes that absolutely clear. She is an exceptional journalist and presenter and I am proud that she works for the BBC.”

Lord Hall has also asked editorial teams to discuss how live on-air exchanges are managed in future.