BBC ‘inflames’ tensions with Gaza coverage, MPS to be told

THE BBC has inflamed community tensions with its coverage of the Israel-hamas conflict, MPS will be told on Tuesday.

Sir Michael Ellis, the former attorney general, is also expected to accuse the corporation of institutional failings in the way it handles accusations of anti-semitism.

In a Westminster Hall debate, Sir Michael will make reference to a BBC News report in which a reporter speculated that an explosion at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza was likely to have been perpetrated by Israel. The Israeli military said that the hospital was hit by a rocket misfired by Palestinian militants, and the BBC later conceded that a mistake had been made.

Sir Michael, who is Jewish, is expected to say that such reports have worsened tensions at a time of rising anti-semitism in Britain.

The Telegraph understands that Sir Michael will raise the issue of Jewish employees at the BBC who have submitted formal complaints about the corporation’s coverage, and who believe that the complaints procedure is ineffective.

The debate into the Government’s role in upholding the impartiality of BBC news coverage will ask whether complaints about bias should be investigated by an independent body rather than allowing the BBC to “mark its own homework”.

Ahead of the Westminster Hall debate, a BBC spokesperson said: “We reject the characterisation. We are reporting on this topic like any other, staying true to our commitments to trusted, impartial journalism. With regard to staff, their welfare is always paramount and we have well-established and robust processes in place to handle any issues, concerns or complaints raised with us, along with a range of support available to anyone who may need it.”