The BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit has upheld 20 viewer complaints against veteran news presenter Martine Croxall.
The ruling marks a significant shift from the initial position taken by BBC News management, who had originally supported the presenter following her on-air script alteration.
Martine Croxall made the comments back in June
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BBC
The incident occurred during a June broadcast when Ms Croxall was reading from her autocue and verbalised her alteration to the script in real-time.
She stated: “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 script had included phrasing directly from the research institution’s press release. Dr Mistry, an assistant professor at LSHTM who appeared in the subsequent interview segment, himself used the term “pregnant women” when discussing the findings.
The ECU’s analysis focused particularly on the presenter’s facial expression accompanying her word substitution.
Martine Croxall (left) was previously backed by the BBC
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Complainants had interpreted her expression in various ways, describing it as displaying “disgust, ridicule, contempt or exasperation.”
The complaints unit concluded that her expression suggested exasperation, attributing this to awkward scripting that included non-BBC style phrases like “the aged” alongside “pregnant people.”
However, the ECU determined that regardless of intent, the expression created an impression that Ms Croxall was indicating a stance on current debates surrounding trans identity.
The ruling stated that “giving the strong impression of expressing a personal view on a controversial matter, even if inadvertently, falls short of the BBC’s expectations of its presenters and journalists in relation to impartiality.”
The broadcast generated significant social media attention, with author JK Rowling publicly praising Ms Croxall and declaring her a “new favourite BBC presenter” after viewing the viral clip.
Ms Rowling later expressed concern about potential consequences for the presenter, writing: “You’d better not be in any trouble…”
The ECU noted that both supportive and critical responses across social media platforms reinforced the perception that Ms Croxall had conveyed a personal position on the matter.
The BBC has upheld 20 complaints about Croxall
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PAManagement at BBC News has since discussed the ruling with Ms Croxall and the relevant editorial team.
This marks Ms Croxall’s second impartiality breach, following a 2022 incident during a newspaper review shortly after Boris Johnson withdrew from the Conservative leadership race.