The BBC has apologised and retrospectively edited a Radio 4 Thought for the Day segment after a theologian described Robert Jenrick's comments on asylum seekers as 'xenophobia'. Krish Kandiah, head of the Sanctuary Foundation, made the remark during Wednesday's programme, quoting Jenrick's article in the Mail on Sunday.
In his article, the shadow justice secretary wrote: 'I certainly don’t want my children to share a neighbourhood with immigrant men with backward views who broke into Britain illegally, and about whom we know next to nothing.' Kandiah said such words 'echo a fear many have absorbed' and that 'the technical name for this is xenophobia'.
The BBC said it removed 'some of the language used' from the online version, stating it was not appropriate for the faith-based segment. A BBC spokesperson said: 'While its reflection on fear in society from a faith perspective is broadly in line with expectations of Thought for the Day, some of the language it used went beyond that and we apologise for its inclusion.'
Jenrick had earlier posted on X: 'On BBC Radio 4 this morning listeners were told that if you’re concerned about the threat of illegal migrants to your kids, you’re racist. Wrong. You’re a good parent.' Labour peer Lord Dubs, a former child refugee, defended Kandiah, saying xenophobia was an accurate description. The BBC confirmed Kandiah has not been banned from future appearances.
