The host of a BBC comedy show which gave a platform to a “left-wing journalist” who promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories has apologised, promising to be “more judicious” in future.
Satirical current affairs programme The Mash Report came under fire this week after Steve Topple, who writes for left-wing website The Canary, appeared in a segment on the divide between the political left and right.
Maybe most Jews peaceful, but until they recognize and destroy their growing Zionist cancer they must be held responsible.#FreeSpeech.
— Steve Topple (@MrTopple) January 10, 2015
Hurrah! Another Jewish #RoyalBaby to simper over, whilst Zionism's control intensifies! Windors? Rothschild-Goldsmiths.
— Steve Topple (@MrTopple) September 8, 2014
*dons tin foil hat*
Mr Topple previously said that Jews should be held responsible for the “growing Zionist cancer”, and suggested that Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, is a “puppet” of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, her Jewish predecessor, and the Rothschild family.
Mr Topple apologised for his “previous comments” in 2016.
@TheMockneyRebel Puppet for Rothschild's/Strauss-Kahn.
— Steve Topple (@MrTopple) June 6, 2014
On Wednesday Nish Kumar, the host of The Mash Report, apologised for Mr Topple’s appearance on the show, after being contacted on Twitter by a viewer.
He tweeted: “Hey dude, we f***ed up - no question. Apologies. Will be more judicious in future. Happy Chanukah.”
His apology was contradicted somewhat by an official statement issued by The Mash Report, which stood by its decision to host Mr Topple.
A spokesman for the show said: “The Mash Report has a well-established commitment to satirising and attacking all forms of prejudice.
“Viewers of the clip will clearly see that The Mash Report wasn’t endorsing Steve Topple or giving him an uncritical platform, but making the point that extreme political views are making political discourse increasingly difficult.
“Viewers will also see that he was satirised throughout the entire segment, there is no question that The Mash Report were endorsing his views.”
Mr Topple was brought in by The Mash Report for a comedy segment to debate with Sebastian Shemirani, the vice president of the London School of Economics’ Conservative Society.
Each of them was presented as represent the views of either side of the political divide.
The Red Roar blog accused the BBC of “normalising” Mr Topple, and encouraged its readers to submit formal complaints to the broadcaster.
