Copyright Deadline
EXCLUSIVE: The BBC initially rejected complaints about news presenter Martine Croxall‘s “pregnant people” correction live on air, in a sign of how vexed the issue of transgender identity continues to be at the UK national broadcaster. The BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit ruled on Thursday that Croxall broke impartiality rules by changing her autocue from “pregnant people” to “women” during a June broadcast, but we can reveal that the BBC initially attempted to throw out viewer complaints over the matter. Deadline has seen the BBC’s correspondence with one complainant, in which it said that Croxall’s script change was “done for clarity and was in no way meant to be disrespectful. We’re satisfied it was duly accurate and impartial, and in line with the BBC’s editorial guidelines.” Viewers can escalate their concerns to the BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit if they are not satisfied with the corporation’s responses. Some 20 complaints about Croxall were eventually handed to the unit, which is overseen by Peter Johnston, the BBC’s director of editorial complaints and a trusted troubleshooter for Tim Davie, the director general. Unlike the initial BBC rejection, the Executive Complaints Unit gave weight to the views of complainants who argued that Croxall’s facial expression betrayed her opinion because it was one of “disgust, ridicule, contempt or exasperation.” The unit said Croxall’s expression — which it thought was best described as “exasperation” — together with the script change “indicated a particular viewpoint in the controversies currently surrounding trans identity.” The ruling concluded: “As giving the strong impression of expressing a personal view on a controversial matter, even if inadvertently, falls short of the BBC’s expectations of its presenters and journalists in relation to impartiality, the ECU upheld the complaints.” The Executive Complaints Unit’s conclusion has been condemned on social media. Piers Morgan said: “The BBC expects a female presenter to use the words ‘pregnant people’ about pregnant WOMEN, and then reprimands her when she rolls her eyes?! Pathetic.” Simon McCoy, a former BBC News anchor, said the ruling was “utterly ridiculous” and praised Croxall as a “top newsreader.” BBC insiders were also dismayed. One senior figure said Croxall should take legal action against her employer. “We tell viewers that men are women, but they complain about a face,” this person added. Another BBC News source said the finding against Croxall would be grist to the mill for those who believe the corporation has been “captured by trans ideology.” Others took a different view. “I’m happy that the complaint was upheld, any other outcome would have been absurd,” said a BBC insider sympathetic to transgender rights. India Willoughby, a transgender TV presenter who has regularly clashed with J.K. Rowling over trans rights, was one of those who complained to the BBC about Croxall. Willoughby said Croxall’s comment was her “own gender critical beliefs” and was tantamount to “completely erasing trans people from a health story.” During the June broadcast, Croxall was quoting Dr Malcolm Mistry, an assistant professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, who said “pregnant people” were more at risk of death during a heatwave in the UK. Croxall said: “Malcolm Mistry, who was involved in the research, says that the aged, pregnant people … women … and those with pre-existing health conditions need to take precautions.”
