Defiant Maitlis makes a stand against the BBC
EMILY MAITLIS has defied BBC management by sharing a tweet that said she deserved “more respect” from the corporation.
The presenter was publicly reprimanded by bosses for “overstepping the mark” in a Newsnight monologue about Dominic Cummings.
But after the BBC explained why it felt her remarks were unacceptable, Maitlis yesterday shared a message on social media from a follower stating: “The BBC should be proud of the award-winning journalism of Maitlis, her forensic analysis, commitment to speak truth to power and call politicians of all parties to account. Maitlis presents Newsnight, not the News. Her voice, her views, deserve more respect from her employers.”
It came as The Daily Telegraph learnt the head of the BBC complaints unit had previously criticised her interviewing style on Newsnight as “combative” and casting “more heat than light”.
A viewer had complained about an interview she conducted in March last year with Jacob Rees-mogg, in which she repeatedly questioned his assertion that Theresa May’s Brexit deal would make the UK a “slave state”.
The BBC concluded the presenter had not breached editorial guidelines but Jeremy Hayes, its complaints director, told the complainant that aspects of her interview were “regrettable” and “would have done little to aid audience understanding”.
He said: “The interview was combative and the laughter of the presenter you described as ‘mocking’ did suggest she was unwilling to accept his explanations.”
Mr Hayes said there was “some editorial justification” for her forceful approach but added he understood why the complainant felt moved to contact the BBC.
He concluded: “A failure to cast light on matters is regrettable but does not necessarily constitute a breach of editorial standards.”