Cracker writer says BBC is a ‘racist institution’

The BBC reacted swiftly yesterday after Cracker writer Jimmy McGovern accused the Corporation of being “one of the most racist institutions in England” during a live interview on one of its flagship radio stations.

The TV Bafta award-winning screenwriter was being interviewed about his first stage play in 20 years, King Cotton.

The drama has its world premiere next month as part of commemorations of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade.

Asked whether the country was less racist than it once was, McGovern said: “I love the BBC as an institution and as an organisation and you do see lots of black faces in the BBC. But you see them in the canteen. You do not see them in positions of power.

“It would appear to me that one of the most racist institutions in England is in fact the BBC.”

Sounding slightly shocked, Mayo reacted by saying it was “a very serious allegation to be making” and that the BBC would be responding.

He later read out a statement from the corporation to listeners.

It said: “What really matters is that we reflect our audiences through our programmes.

“The BBC’s ambition is to reflect the ethnic and social mix of people around the country. We’re actively seeking and nurturing ethnic talents both on and off the air.

“This has been coming through in our output with a range of presenters and reporters across our peak-time programmes for example Freema Agyeman in Doctor Who, the forthcoming Omid Djalili show, Dance X, and dramas such as Waterloo Road.”