Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has questioned the BBC’s accountability, asking why no one has been dismissed following the decision to broadcast a Gaza documentary featuring the son of a Hamas official.
Her comments precede the expected publication next week of a review into “Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone,” a program removed from iPlayer in February.
In a statement to The Times, Nandy stated that “people must be accountable for the decisions that were taken” and expressed her “exasperation” at the length of time the review is taking.
A BBC spokesperson responded on Saturday, stating that the review’s findings would be published “as soon as possible” but emphasized the need for a “thorough and proper process.”
In February, the BBC issued an apology citing “serious flaws” in the production of the program, which focused on children’s lives in Gaza. The apology followed revelations that the 13-year-old narrator was the son of a Hamas minister.
The review is being led by Peter Johnston, the BBC’s director of editorial complaints and reviews, a role independent of BBC News and reporting directly to Director-General Tim Davie.
The review is expected to determine whether any editorial guidelines were breached and whether disciplinary action is warranted.
Additionally, the BBC will conduct a comprehensive audit of the program’s expenditure.
Nandy stated she required an “adequate explanation” regarding the situation, which she has yet to receive from Davie or BBC Chairman Samir Shah.
She further stated that if no one was terminated in response to the incident, she wanted “an explanation as to why not.”
A BBC spokesperson reiterated: “The findings of the review will be published as soon as possible.”
“As we have said previously, it is vital that this work is done as quickly as possible, but it must also be thorough and follow a proper process.”
Last month, the BBC chose not to broadcast a separate documentary from another independent production company about doctors working in Gaza, citing impartiality concerns surrounding the production. The documentary was subsequently aired on Channel 4.
Nandy also stated that BBC leadership needed to “get a grip on it” following the live Glastonbury broadcast of punk-duo band Bob Vylan.
An exhibition opens to tell the story of the world’s first long-wave transmitting station.
The attack raises more questions over whether Israel’s use of force is proportionate, as required by international law.
BBC Sounds will close for listeners outside the UK on 21 July 2025 but there will be other ways to tune in.
Ryan Casey sued the organisation following the broadcast of an episode of The View on 30 November 2023.
Sir Ephraim Mirvis hit out after Bob Vylan’s controversial performance at Glastonbury was aired by BBC.