Over 100 Jewish Creatives Sign Open Letter Accusing BBC of Double Standards
variety.comK.J. Yossman Over 100 Jewish creatives have signed an open letter accusing the BBC of double standards over the corporation’s response to a cricket commentator’s controversial comments.
The letter, which was signed by 119 industry creatives, 55 of whom requested anonymity out of fear of reprisal, opens: “As BBC staff, contractors, suppliers and contributors who are Jewish, from across the television and film industry, we write to you today in disbelief.” It goes on to compare the BBC’s response to former professional cricketer turned commentator Qasim Sheikh, who has been accused of posting racist tweets on X, with its response to Michael Vaughan, also a former professional cricketer turned commentator, who was suspended from commentating for the broadcaster in 2021 after being accused of making a racist comment before a 2009 match.
Vaughan, who denied the allegations, was later cleared by the U.K.’s cricketing authority on a “balance of probabilities” and returned to his BBC duties in 2023.
In a statement to BBC News, published on June 4, Sheikh said: “If my messages have caused people to think I am supporting the attacks of 7 October, then that would not sit well with me, and I apologise for any offence this has caused.
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