Why did BBC apologise to Robert Jenrick?

PoliticsOpinion
14 Aug 2025 • 6:16 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • The BBC has apologised to Robert Jenrick after a refugee charity director suggested he was xenophobic during a Radio 4 programme.
  • Krish Kandiah of Sanctuary Foundation claimed Jenrick had increased "fear of the stranger" and used the term "xenophobia" twice
  • Jenrick accused the broadcaster of smearing "millions of worried citizens" as xenophobic for their "understandable fears" regarding illegal migration.
  • Roger Mahony, BBC's head of editorial standards, stated the comments went "well beyond" the segment's expectations and removed the xenophobia references from BBC Sounds.
  • The controversy stems from Jenrick's remarks on asylum seekers and public concerns, including protests at hotels housing asylum seekers.

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