BBC removes losing Apprentice contestant from spin-off show You’re Fired
Broadcaster's action follows weeks of complaints over a tirade of anti-Jewish, anti-Hindu and misogynistic remarks by Dr Asif Munaf
Richard Ferrer has been editor of Jewish News since 2009. As one of Britain's leading Jewish voices he writes for The Times, Independent, New Statesman and many other titles. Richard previously worked at the Daily Mail, Daily Mirror, edited the Boston Jewish Advocate and created the Channel 4 TV series Jewish Mum Of The Year.
The BBC has edited out the losing contestant from tonight’s episode of The Apprentice spin-off series You’re Fired following a series of antisemitic, anti-Hindu and misogynistic remarks on social media.
The broadcaster finally decided to act after weeks of complaints over a tirade of sick anti-Jewish, anti-Hindu and misogynistic remarks made by Dr Asif Munaf.
Munaf referenced “the Zionist antichrist”, claimed “the Zionist PR machine is slimy” and posted the question: “Have you ever met even a semi-average looking Zionist? Aren’t they all odiously ogre-like?” He labelled Zionism a “satanic cult”, claimed to be compiling a “list of sadistic doctors” who support Israel, made disparaging comments about Hindus and asked: “Have you ever met a beautiful feminist?” One of his videos on Instagram is entitled: ‘Don’t Trust What Women Say.’
Munaf also accused Israel of “weaponising the Holocaust and following the Hamas terror atrocities of 7 October, wrote on Twitter: “One of my sons will liberate Palestine.”
Despite receiving “diversity training” from the BBC and issuing a statement “apologising for any offence caused”, Munaf then went on to spread his intolerant hate and posted messages of support for Wahid Shaida, the UK head of newly-outlawed Islamist terror group Hizb ut-Tahrir.
Typically, the details of contestant’s removal from the show are kept confidential until the episode airs, but Marie van der Zyl, president of the Board of Deputies, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning: “This man has made vile antisemitic comments. The BBC only took action yesterday when I wrote to the chairman. All they’ve done is edit him out of You’re Fired which is on tonight. He was sent on a diversity training course. You have to ask why the producers didn’t make further inquiries.”
A letter from the BBC to the Board of Deputies, seen by Jewish News, reads: “The Apprentice was filmed last year and Dr Munaf’s social media posts were made after filming had taken place. They are clearly very offensive and as soon as they came to light the production team took immediate action, speaking to him in details and requiring that he undertook diversity training.”
“After careful consideration over the last few days, the team has now made the decision that Dr Munaf will not feature as a guest on any additional BBC content relating to The Apprentice. Specifically this means that he will not be appearing on the relevant episode of the show You’re Fired.”
A BBC spokesperson told Jewish News: “We can confirm that the individual concerned will not feature as a guest on any additional upcoming BBC content relating to The Apprentice.”
The Board of Deputies said: “Following our president’s urgent letter to the BBC Director-General Tim Davie and the BBC chairman, we have been notified that the BBC has significantly edited all content relating to BBC 2’s You’re Fired concerning Asif Munaf. We hope that the BBC will apologise publicly to the Jewish community for their handling of this sorry situation and send the people responsible for antisemitism awareness training.”
Munaf commented on his exit on Thursday, writing on social media: “My time on the show will come to end tonight. But this is just the beginning. We thank Him for the opportunity to bring the plight of our brothers and sisters in Gaza to the mainstream. They can cut my scenes from the show but they cut my connection with Him.”
He goes on: “They did me dirty. The lobby pressured the broadcaster and they relented. This will only ignite a bigger flame in my belly. We have Him… The lobby tried to influence the broadcaster. They relented. The lobby tried to influence the regulator. They relented. You know what doesn’t relent? My faith…. I will continue speaking the truth whether it costs me my limbs, livelihood or life. It all belongs to Him in the first place… You simply cannot shake a man who seeks only His Pleasure. Alhamdulillah for the mindset Islam instills in you. Alhamdulillah for Islam.”
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