‘Sneering’: BBC presenters slammed for making fun of Union Jack flag

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BC Breakfast presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty have been accused of “sneering” after laughing at Robert Jenrick’s flag.

Mr Stayt pointed out that Mr Jenrick had a large Union Jack flag on display behind him in an interview with the housing secretary on Thursday,

“I think your flag is not up to standard size, government interview measurements. I think it’s just a little bit small, but that’s your department really,” he said.

Ms Munchetty was filmed laughing into her hand and added: “There’s always a flag. They had the picture of the Queen, though.”

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The presenters’ comments sparked backlash on social media before Ms Munchetty liked a tweet which read: “What has Charlie done? The flag shaggers will be up in arms. Tell him we love him.”

According to the Telegraph, Ms Munchetty received a “reminder” from BBC bosses about inappropriate social media use.

On Friday she appolgised in a statement on Twitter that read: “I ‘liked’ tweets today that were offensive in nature about the use of the British flag as a backdrop in a government interview this morning. I have since removed these ‘likes’. This do(es) not represent the views of me or the BBC.

“I apologise for any offence taken. Naga.”

In a statement, the BBC said the exchange between the two presenters was “light-hearted” and not meant to offend.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture and Media Oliver Dowden, said: “I’m concerned that what started as light-hearted banter became sneering which is not the BBC at its best.

“As I’ve said before, it is so important that the BBC reflects and respects the values of the whole of the UK.”

Other high profile figures took to social media to criticise the BBC, including Baroness Hoey, former Labour MP for Vauxhall, who wrote: “This is exactly why (the BBC) should no longer be allowed to charge a licence fee – always snidy about anyone standing up for our country and Her Majesty. #defundthebbc.”

While veteran former BBC journalist Andrew Neil said: “Sometimes the BBC forgets what the first B stands for.”