Clive Myrie has been filmed lashing out at a pro-Palestinian protester who disrupted his event, sparking violent reactions from students who branded him a “Zionist”.
Footage has emerged of the BBC news presenter calling a questioner a “f***ing idiot” during a university Q&A event on September 25, over allegations he spread “Israeli propaganda”.
Moments after the heated exchange at the University of the Arts London, where Myrie was recently appointed chancellor, she slammed the “lunatic who just left and didn’t have the courtesy to listen to my response.”
He added: ‘I’ve got a fucking idiot who shouts at me in public and then leaves. He doesn’t want to hear the other party.
The 60-year-old later apologized for his choice of language but maintained his defense of open debate.
Footage has emerged of Clive Myrie, who is a regular news presenter for the national broadcaster, criticizing the ‘f***ing idiot’ who heckled him during a Q&A event on September 25.
The 60-year-old later apologized for his choice of language but maintained his defense of open debate.
Throughout the event, Myrie spoke with other students present about the importance of freedom of expression.
He said: ‘He’s made his point and he’s gone. He gets up and leaves. He didn’t stay to listen to my argument, mind you. He gets up, shouts, you (the audience) applauds. But he doesn’t stay to listen to what I have to say. That’s pathetic.’
Later in the exchange, he talked about how he will listen to students’ concerns in his new role, but added: ‘I won’t let anyone abandon me. I’m not going to accept it. I’m not going to let the students abuse me.’
He adds that he is happy to talk about his journalism regarding the Hamas-Israel conflict, but is not happy to be “dismissed.”
A UAL spokesperson said: ‘On Wednesday 25 September, Clive Myrie held a question and answer session with students to mark the start of term.
‘During the event, some students expressed their views on the ongoing war in Israel-Palestine. At the beginning of the session, Clive used language he regrets. His apology was sent to attendees shortly after the event ended.
‘Clive maintains his feeling that dialogue must be based on mutual respect. At UAL, we will continue to defend freedom of expression and encourage constructive conversations on all issues in our community.”
Myrie and the BBC have been contacted for comment.
The news presenter earns £310,000 for presenting bulletins, as well as an undisclosed fee for Mastermind, which is produced by the corporation’s commercial arm, BBC Studios.
BBC presenter Clive Myrie has apologized for failing to declare profits from eleven corporate events outside the broadcaster.
This comes just days after the presenter had to apologize for failing to declare at least £65,000 of profits from corporate events.
The Mastermind presenter earned the money from corporate events over the past 12 months, including speaking at functions organized by Dutch bank ING and the Royal College of Surgeons.
As well as her £310,000-a-year salary for presenting News At One, News At Six and News At Ten, Myrie earns an undisclosed sum for her work on the quiz show.
He had received income from a total of eleven events over the past year, earning between £5,000 and £10,000 for nine of them, and more than £10,000 for the remaining two, the Sunday Times reported.
BBC TV stars must declare earnings from external sources from 2021.
