‘Antisemitic’ post by former National Theatre chief probed by police
Eton-educated composer Matthew Scott, 62, worked as a music consultant at the venue until last month
The National Theatre’s former head of music faces police inquiries into an allegedly antisemitic post sent from his Facebook account.
Eton-educated composer Matthew Scott, 62, appears to have commented on a BBC News story about the Israeli elections.
The since-deleted post read: “The time for the erasure of Israel and the completion of the cleansing process is rapidly approaching.
“Can Netanyahu now see that his actions are feeding the furnace?”
Essex Police confirmed enquiries are ongoing, after the force received reports of an antisemitic post on social media just before 4pm on April 9.
Another post shared from his account yesterday read: “The thought of Jewish children being at the complete mercy of of Nazis is just as repulsive as Palestinian children being at the completely mercy of Zionist Israelis.”
Scott studied at Guildhall School and City University London before training in Berlin and New York.
Scott was head of music at the National Theatre and remained as a music consultant until March 31.
A spokesperson for the National Theatre said: “Matthew Scott is no longer employed by the National Theatre.
“Any comments he makes on social media are in a personal capacity.
“The National Theatre has clear guidelines for current staff on acceptable use of social media in line with our diversity and inclusion policy.”
Scott remains an emeritus professor at the University of Southampton after retiring from his post at the university last year.
He has written music for 30 productions at the National Theatre and theatre premieres by Alan Bennett, Harold Pinter, David Edgar, Mark Ravenhill, Howard Barker and Julian Mitchell.
His TV credits includes Mrs Bradley’s Mysteries, Noël Coward’s Private Lives and Feast of July.
A web page detailing Scott’s professional history on his agent’s website was removed yesterday afternoon following press enquiries.
Scott and United Agents the Literary and and Talent Agency were contacted for comment yesterday but Jewish News has not yet received a response.
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