Particle.news
Download on the App Store

BBC Demands Vetting Review After Apprentice Contestant’s Racist, Sexist Posts Exposed

The broadcaster is seeking assurances on social media checks after third-party vetting missed decade-old offensive posts by contestant Levi Hodgetts-Hague.

Overview

  • Posts from 2012–2013 branding Muslims “dirty” and using derogatory terms for women were unearthed by The Sun on Sunday and then deleted.
  • The BBC said it was unaware of the comments, called them totally unacceptable, and asked the independent producer to fully review its checks.
  • Producer Naked acknowledged that its reputable third-party screening failed to flag the material and said it will review its vetting process.
  • Levi Hodgetts-Hague issued an apology, saying he is ashamed of the decade-old posts and that they do not reflect his values today.
  • The new series remains scheduled to start on January 29, as political and campaign figures call for answers on how the candidate passed vetting.