The BBC has rejected claims that the use of the phrase “Moneybags Rothschild” on an episode of Gardeners' Question Time was antisemitic, prompting criticism from Jewish community leaders.
The remark was made by the horticulturalist Bunny Guinness during a recent edition of the long-running Radio 4 programme.
Guinness and her fellow panellist Bob Flowerdew were discussing whether to buy a plant or propagate it from a cutting. When Flowerdew suggested he would visit a shop, Guinness quipped: “Moneybags Rothschild, he’ll go and buy them.”
A Jewish listener from the east of England subsequently wrote to the corporation to complain about the comment.
In its response, the BBC said it was “unable to agree that it was in any way antisemitic”.
“While we’re sorry to hear that you were offended by Bunny Guinness’s description of Bob Flowerdew as ‘Moneybags Rothschild’, we are unable to agree that it was in any way antisemitic,” the corporation said.
“Bunny was making a humorous jibe at Bob for his willingness to dispose of plants in a way she considered wasteful and expensive. To do this, she compared him to a member of the Rothschild family, one of the most famous and wealthy banking dynasties in the world where it can be imagined, money would similarly be no object. There was no connection made between their wealth and being Jewish.”
The BBC added that “most listeners would have understood the comment as referring to the established wealth of one family, rather than interpreted it as a comment on either their ethnicity or Jews more generally”.
It also noted the Rothschild family’s historic links to horticulture, saying the programme had previously highlighted their engagement in “horticultural excellence”.
The corporation’s response has since been criticised by Jewish leaders.
Russell Langer, director of public affairs at the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC), said: “References to the Rothschild family draw on well-established antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories.
“For the BBC to dismiss concerns about the use of this rhetoric demonstrates a failure of their understanding of antisemitism. Anti-Jewish hatred in modern Britain is at record levels and last year saw the first deadly attack against Jews in this country in living memory. The language we use matters and the BBC must show that they understand contemporary forms of antisemitism.”
The Rothschild banking dynasty has long featured in antisemitic conspiracy theories that portray Jews as wielding hidden financial power.
This was not the first time Guinness has referred to the Rothschild name in the context of wealth.
In a 2016 column for The Telegraph, she wrote that her husband “is more Rothschild than Steptoe” when referring to his expensive taste in garden furniture.
A BBC spokesperson told the JC: “We carefully consider all feedback we receive. In this instance, our complaints response sets out the editorial context of the remark as we believed that was relevant and important. It was certainly not meant to cause offence or distress and apologise if it did.”
Guinness was approached for comment.
To get more news, click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.