We the undersigned are deeply concerned with the way Jeremy Paxman interviewed Tommy Robinson of the English Defence League (EDL) on Newsnight, 25th July 2011. We are deeply worried that a fascist such as Robinson can appear on a flagship programme in the first place.

 

The interview was meant to challenge Robinson on the EDL's links with the Norwegian right wing terrorist Anders Breivik. Instead Jeremy Paxman allowed Robinson to go unchallenged when he spoke of the EDL being non-violent, even though Robinson was convicted that very day for football hooliganism. The EDL have attacked mosques, beaten up Asians and tried to assault trade unionists at a Peterborough TUC/UAF anti-EDL rally. Paxman even agreed with Robinson about the fear of Islam, responding with "no-one denies there's a lot of anxiety...tremendous anxiety".

The BBC's ethos is one of entertaining, educating and informing. Paxman failed on all of these. Robinson was allowed to rant about Islam and stir up Islamophobia. We expect interviewers to probe and uncover the truth behind the likes of Tommy Robinson's rhetoric. Jeremy Paxman failed to address substantive issues concerning the EDL's ugly reality, in so doing he failed the viewing public.

The BBC is a broadcaster which is funded by people from all of Britain's diverse cultures, faiths and ethnic backgrounds. As such we don't feel it is appropriate for the BBC to give a platform to fascists like the EDL as it allows them to perpetuate their biogtry and lies.

We therefore demand that the BBC looks into this matter and responds to our concerns.

Camden Unite Against Fascism