BBC apologises after branding Christian campaigner a ‘bigot’
The BBC and radio presenter Iain Lee have issued apologies to Christian Concern campaigner Libby Powell.
During an interview on BBC Three Counties radio, Lee branded the campaigner a bigot due to her views on homosexuality.
The incident occured during a heated exchange where they debated the story of a prison worker who told inmates that homosexuals must repent their sexuality to please God.
“This is not bigotry,” Powell told Lee when asked if she supported bigotry, and went on to call homosexuality a sin and argued that doing so is not homophobic or bigoted.
Lee then blasted the campaigner, saying “I guess you don’t know what the definition of bigotry is and considering you are from a legal centre that is a little bit worrying,”
Later in the interview he told her “you have chosen not to question [her views] because you are a bigot.”
The BBC issued an apology on behalf of themselves and Lee, calling the tone of the interview “at several points inappropriate,
“The BBC – and Iain Lee himself – wish to apologise for any offence that may have been caused.”
Libby Powell also works for The Christian Legal Centre and was one of the solicitors who failed to overturn a ban on placing an ex-gay advert on London buses.
Last week the Australian Christian Lobby demanded that the Green party to stop calling them ‘bigots’.
Christian Concern have previously called Elton John ‘arrogant for claiming that Jesus would accept gay people.
They also criticised a hospital chaplain for marrying his same-sex partner.
The group also opposed moves to tackle homophobic bullying in schools and compared same-sex marriage to the Tunisia massacre.
Listen to the interview below.
