The BBC has upheld a complaint against veteran news presenter Martine Croxall after she changed the phrase “pregnant people” to “women” during a live broadcast, accompanied by a facial expression that viewers interpreted as showing disgust or contempt.
The incident occurred in June when 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 UK heatwave. Croxall corrected herself on air, saying: “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.”
The BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) ruled that Croxall’s facial expression gave “the strong impression of expressing a personal view on a controversial matter,” which fell short of the corporation’s impartiality standards. The ECU noted that the expression was “open to the interpretation that it indicated a particular viewpoint in the controversies currently surrounding trans identity.”
Initially, BBC News executives backed Croxall, and she received praise from author J.K. Rowling, who called her a “new favourite BBC presenter.” However, the ECU ruling concluded that the impression of expressing a personal view, even if inadvertent, breached BBC guidelines. The ruling was discussed with BBC News managers and Croxall.
The decision comes amid reports of a dossier alleging that the BBC has been “captured by a small group of people” promoting a pro-trans agenda. A BBC News source said the finding against Croxall would fuel claims that the corporation has been “captured by trans ideology.”
