BBC deputy director general meets Jewish staff over antisemitism claims

The BBC's deputy director general, Rhodri Talfan Davies, met representatives of the corporation's Jewish staff network on Tuesday, after media coverage of the case of Lucie Kon. The network asked for the meeting following Kon's claims. The Guardian reports that the BBC told Jewish staff that discrimination against them will not be tolerated.

Kon is an Oscar-winning producer and documentary-maker who was a commissioning editor for the BBC's Storyville documentary series. She worked at the corporation for 30 years, according to The Times of Israel. She has said she faced antisemitism, meaning hostility towards Jewish people, after the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas, and that she was dismissed after raising concerns about it. The Guardian reports that the BBC paid her £400,000 after her departure, and Kon has said the payment was made to settle antisemitism allegations.

The BBC has said its internal processes did not uphold Kon's antisemitism claims. The corporation also acknowledged shortcomings and the personal impact on her.

Davies did not accept that an independent inquiry into potential antisemitism at the BBC was needed. Speaking at a Broadcasting Press Guild lunch in London, Davies said there was no evidence of any systemic issue within the BBC that would merit one. Davies also said the BBC has very robust processes for dealing with discrimination, and that these are reviewed regularly. Davies wrote to some Jewish staff members after the media coverage and pointed to new staff training on antisemitism and internal efforts to build an inclusive culture.

Calls for an independent inquiry came from some Members of Parliament (MPs) and former BBC figures, including former home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw. Jewish leaders told The Jewish Chronicle that they are demanding an independent inquiry. Kon has said: "The BBC isn't full of antisemites, but it does have a problem with antisemitism."