Complaint
During an interview with Laura Kuenssberg, the former Conservative leader Lord Howard was asked if he agreed with the idea that some people felt parts of London were becoming “no go†areas for Jewish people.  A viewer complained his response that he concurred with the premise was not challenged by the presenter.  The ECU considered whether this exchange met the ±«Óãtv’s editorial standards of impartiality.Â
Outcome
This was a brief exchange in a conversation which did not otherwise concern Gaza or the protests.  Lord Howard argued the importance of free speech and the right to protest had to be balanced against the fact some in the Jewish community “think that some of our streets are no go areas for them†- and balancing those conflicting rights was a difficult challenge.   The ECU noted the complainant’s assertion that many Jewish people take part in the marches and are perfectly safe, and that Lord Howard was not challenged on his position, but it considered the level of controversy attaching to the idea that some people don’t feel safe was relatively low, given a number have publicly reported feeling this way.  This was also quite clearly Lord Howard’s view, not a statement of uncontested fact. Ms Kuenssberg’s question made clear that the majority of those marching were doing so “to support Palestine†but that fringe elements might look intimidating to some people – which fell some way short of suggesting the marches are by definition antisemitic or threatening.
Not Upheld