A BBC presenter has lashed out at a pro-Palestine protestor who disrupted his event, as he is branded a ‘Zionist’ for the outburst.
Footage has emerged of Clive Myrie, who is a regular newsreader for the national broadcaster, slamming the ‘f****** idiot’ who heckled him during a Q&A event on September 25, over claims Myrie helped spread ‘Israeli propaganda’.
Moments after the stunt, which took place at the University of the Arts London where Myrie has recently been appointed Chancellor, he condemned the ‘lunatic who just walked out and didn’t have the courtesy to hear my response’.
He added: ‘I have a f****** idiot shout at me in public and then leave. He doesn’t want to hear the other side.’
The 60-year-old later apologised for his choice of language but stood by his defence of open debate.
Throughout the event Myrie spoke with other students in attendance about the importance of free speech.
He said: ‘He’s made his point and he’s left. Stands up and he’s left. He’s not stayed to listen to my argument, notice. Stands up, shouts, you (the audience) applaud. But he doesn’t stay to hear what I’ve got to say. That’s pathetic.’
Later on in the exchange, he discussed how he will listen to student concerns in his new role but added: ‘I’m not having anyone walk out on me. I’m not having it. I am not going to be abused by students.’
He adds that he is happy to discuss his journalism with regard to the Hamas-Israel conflict, but is not happy to be ‘slagged off’.
A UAL spokesman said: ‘On Wednesday 25 Sept, Clive Myrie held a Q&A session with students to mark the start of the term.
‘During the event, some students expressed their views on the ongoing war in Israel-Palestine. At the start of the session, Clive used language he regrets. His apology was sent to attendees shortly after the event ended.
‘Clive stands by his sentiment that dialogue should be rooted in mutual respect. At UAL, we will continue to uphold freedom of expression and encourage constructive conversations about all topics in our community.’
Myrie and the BBC have been contacted for comment.
This comes just days after the presenter had to apologise for failing to declare at least £65,000 of earnings from corporate events.
The Mastermind host earned the money from corporate events over the last 12 months, including speeches at functions hosted by Dutch bank ING and the Royal College of Surgeons.
On top of his £310,000-a-year salary for presenting the News At One, News At Six and News At Ten, Myrie earns an undisclosed sum for his work on the quiz show.
He had received income for a total of eleven events over the past year, earning between £5,000 and £10,000 for nine of them, and over £10,000 for the remaining two, the Sunday Times reported.
BBC TV stars have been required to declare earnings from outside sources since 2021.