Conservative Peer Apologizes and Pays Damages to University Challenge Contestant

Baroness Jacqueline Foster issued a public apology and agreed to pay substantial damages to Melika Gorgianeh after falsely accusing her of antisemitism.

• Baroness Jacqueline Foster apologized to University Challenge contestant Melika Gorgianeh for unfounded antisemitism claims related to a team mascot and jacket colors.
• The false accusations led Gorgianeh to face death threats and significantly impacted her mental health.
• Foster acknowledged her mistake and reached an amicable resolution with Gorgianeh, including payment of substantial damages.
• The incident sparked a wider discussion on social media and among public figures about the misuse of antisemitic allegations.
• The BBC defended the contestant, stating the octopus mascot and jacket colors were coincidental and unrelated to any political symbols.

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