Latest news with #Croxall
Metro
9 hours ago
- Health
- Metro
BBC Newsreader eye-rolls and refuses to say 'pregnant people' instead of women
BBC newsreader Martine Croxall appeared to roll her eyes as she switched 'pregnant people' for 'women' during a news report. The 56-year-old news host was presenting a segment on new research about the number of heat-related deaths expected amid Britain's current heatwave when the moment occured. Initially quoting the phrasing used in the research, Croxall said: 'Malcolm Mistry, who was involved in the research, said the aged, pregnant people… women… and those with pre-existing health conditions need to take precautions.' 'I have a new favourite BBC presenter,' Harry Potter author J.K Rowling, who has faced backlash for her views on the transgender community and trans-inclusive langage, posted on X. Rowling has previously taken issue with phrases such as 'people who mensturate'. After one commenter on X said they 'hope you don't get hauled before the BBC News beak,' the Celebrity mastermind winner said she was 'braced'. The national broadcaster currently has no specific policy of saying pregnant people. Last year, Croxall notably returned to the BBC after taking legal action against the broadcaster. She claimed that she was one of a group of BBC employees kept off-air during a rebrand and returned to her place behind the newsdesk after an employment tribunal. The use of gender-neutral language within maternity care has been a topic of fierce debate in recent years. In 2021 a Brighton hospital faced backlash for rolling out a 'gender-includive language policy'. Elsewhere a maternity bill in the UK changed the word 'person' to 'mothers and 'expecting mothers' after complaints. The trans rights movement has faced intense scrutiny with figures like Rowling stoking debate such as her support of the superme court ruling around the definition of a woman. Sir Stephen Fry, who has previously defended the writer, appeared to change his stance in recent comments saying she has been 'radicalised'. 'She has been radicalised, I fear, and it may be she has been radicalised by TERFs, but also by the vitriol that is thrown at her. More Trending 'It is unhelpful and only hardens her and will only continue to harden her, I am afraid.' He added that she is a 'lost cause for us'. 'I am not saying that she should not be called out when she says things that are really cruel, wrong and mocking,' he said at a live event. Metro has reached out to BBC for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: Dame Prue Leith's son blasted after saying she doesn't 'see sense' in debate MORE: Dragons' Den star reveals their strict rule children's friends must follow MORE: Disgraced Strictly star slams 'double standards' at BBC after Naga Munchetty 'sex jibe'
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Watch: Trans activist claims ‘I'm under attack' in BBC interview
Credit: BBC News A transgender campaigner and former Labour MSP candidate has clashed with a BBC presenter over the legal definition of a woman. Heather Herbert appeared on BBC News claiming that the UK risked sliding into 'Trump's America' after the Supreme Court ruled that women are defined by biological sex. Martine Croxall challenged the characterisation of the legal ruling, asking: 'How is this an attack on anyone?' Ms Herbert responded by saying: 'I am a woman, so where do I fit in?' Ms Herbert went on to claim that the ruling will not affect the daily life of trans people with regard to single-sex toilets and changing rooms. Croxall noted that some gender-critical groups have said that as 'woman' now legally refers to biological sex, those who are not biologically female will be excluded from women-only spaces. Ms Herbert then took issue with the BBC presenter, asking: 'Are you saying that I can't participate in public life?' Later in the exchange, Ms Herbert again directly asked Croxall: 'Do you think I should be allowed in the women's toilets? 'If I'm not, if you're implying that I shouldn't, that would mean that I don't have any ability to be in public life at all. I can't go to work because you're saying that I can't use the loo at work.' Croxall repeatedly made the point that it is not for her, as a neutral presenter, to decide on these issues. In 2023, Ms Herbert publicly defended using an airport's disabled toilet to carry out dilation exercises following gender reassignment surgery. Dilation exercises are recommended by doctors following vaginoplasty. Ms Herbert was previously a Labour MSP candidate, but switched to the Scottish Greens and became a co-convenor of the LGBTQ group Rainbow Greens. This set out to create a 'progressive and inclusive Scotland where the LGBT+ community and intersex people can live and thrive freely'. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Watch: Trans activist claims ‘I'm under attack' in BBC interview
A transgender campaigner and former Labour MSP candidate has clashed with a BBC presenter over the legal definition of a woman. Heather Herbert appeared on BBC News claiming that the UK risked sliding into 'Trump's America' after the Supreme Court ruled that women are defined by biological sex. Martine Croxall challenged the characterisation of the legal ruling, asking: 'How is this an attack on anyone?' Ms Herbert responded by saying: 'I am a woman, so where do I fit in?' Ms Herbert went on to claim that the ruling will not affect the daily life of trans people with regard to single-sex toilets and changing rooms. Croxall noted that some gender-critical groups have said that as 'woman' now legally refers to biological sex, those who are not biologically female will be excluded from women-only spaces. Ms Herbert then took issue with the BBC presenter, asking: 'Are you saying that I can't participate in public life?' Later in the exchange, Ms Herbert again directly asked Croxall: 'Do you think I should be allowed in the women's toilets? 'If I'm not, if you're implying that I shouldn't, that would mean that I don't have any ability to be in public life at all. I can't go to work because you're saying that I can't use the loo at work.' In 2023, Ms Herbert publicly defended using an airport's disabled toilet to carry out dilation exercises following gender reassignment surgery. Dilation exercises are recommended by doctors following vaginoplasty. Ms Herbert was previously a Labour MSP candidate, but switched to the Scottish Greens and became a co-convenor of the LGBTQ group Rainbow Greens. This set out to create a 'progressive and inclusive Scotland where the LGBT+ community and intersex people can live and thrive freely'.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC News Presenters Hold Settlement Talks As Legal Battle Looms Over 'Sham' Hiring Process
EXCLUSIVE: A group of four female BBC News presenters are preparing to do battle with their bosses next week over what they describe as a 'rigged' recruitment process — but there remains a chance that the women could settle. Martine Croxall, Karin Giannone, Kasia Madera, and Annita McVeigh are set to begin their employment tribunal against the BBC on March 17 in London, marking the denouement of a dispute that has rumbled on for more than two years. More from Deadline Eurovision UK Entrant Revealed Royal Television Society Scraps Special Award For Gaza Journalists, Telling Jurors It Doesn't Want To "Add Fuel To Fire" Of Scandal Around BBC Film 'BBC Breakfast' Editor Was Rewarded With More Power After Facing Bullying & Misconduct Claims Deadline understands that the BBC has held talks about a deal that could halt the legal proceedings, but no settlement has been reached and nothing is guaranteed at this stage. The BBC declined to comment ahead of the London Central Employment Tribunal hearing. Deadline has contacted Croxall, Giannone, Madera, and McVeigh for comment. A settlement could be in the interests of both sides. The BBC will want to avoid a costly, bruising, and headline-grabbing legal fight with four experienced female presenters, during which sensitive internal discussions will likely be made public. Meanwhile, Croxall, Giannone, Madera, and McVeigh are once again regular fixtures on the BBC News channel after a period off-air. During a preliminary hearing last year, the BBC News anchors claimed they were forced off-screen for a year and harassed after being victims of a 'sham' hiring process in January 2023. The women applied to become a chief presenter on the retooled BBC News channel, but alleged that managers predetermined their preferred candidates before the hiring process began. The presenters argued that BBC News bosses 'privately assured four other chief presenters – two men and two younger women – their jobs were safe.' After challenging the process, Croxall, Giannone, Madera, and McVeigh claimed that they lost their jobs, while some were demoted and others faced a pay cut. The successful candidates were Matthew Amroliwala, Christian Fraser, Yalda Hakim, Lucy Hockings, and Maryam Moshiri. Hakim has since left the BBC for Sky News. The BBC has stood by the recruitment process and an internal HR investigation concluded in 2023 that successful chief presenters were not promised their jobs before an open hiring procedure. Croxall, Giannone, Madera, and McVeigh have remained in lockstep throughout the proceedings and Croxall posted a selfie of the four women on International Women's Day over the weekend. She thanked her colleagues for their 'unstinting friendship and support.' Those in charge of the hiring process are no longer responsible for the BBC News channel. Former news channel editor Jess Brammar now serves as an editorial executive in BBC content, working closely with outgoing content chief Charlotte Moore. Naja Nielsen, digital director of BBC News, is leaving the corporation to join Swedish public broadcaster SVT. Croxall, Giannone, Madera, and McVeigh also made claims about gender pay discrimination, but a London Central Employment Tribunal judge ruled last year that this could not form part of the main hearing because they had previously reached salary settlements. Last November, the National Union of Journalists said the women planned on appealing the decision. Best of Deadline 'The Last Of Us' Season 2: Everything We Know So Far The Best 7 New Movies On Netflix In March 2025 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC News Presenters Hold Settlement Talks As Legal Battle Looms Over 'Sham' Hiring Process
EXCLUSIVE: A group of four female BBC News presenters are preparing to do battle with their bosses next week over what they describe as a 'rigged' recruitment process — but there remains a chance that the women could settle. Martine Croxall, Karin Giannone, Kasia Madera, and Annita McVeigh are set to begin their employment tribunal against the BBC on March 17 in London, marking the denouement of a dispute that has rumbled on for more than two years. More from Deadline Eurovision UK Entrant Revealed Royal Television Society Scraps Special Award For Gaza Journalists, Telling Jurors It Doesn't Want To "Add Fuel To Fire" Of Scandal Around BBC Film 'BBC Breakfast' Editor Was Rewarded With More Power After Facing Bullying & Misconduct Claims Deadline understands that the BBC has held talks about a deal that could halt the legal proceedings, but no settlement has been reached and nothing is guaranteed at this stage. The BBC declined to comment ahead of the London Central Employment Tribunal hearing. Deadline has contacted Croxall, Giannone, Madera, and McVeigh for comment. A settlement could be in the interests of both sides. The BBC will want to avoid a costly, bruising, and headline-grabbing legal fight with four experienced female presenters, during which sensitive internal discussions will likely be made public. Meanwhile, Croxall, Giannone, Madera, and McVeigh are once again regular fixtures on the BBC News channel after a period off-air. During a preliminary hearing last year, the BBC News anchors claimed they were forced off-screen for a year and harassed after being victims of a 'sham' hiring process in January 2023. The women applied to become a chief presenter on the retooled BBC News channel, but alleged that managers predetermined their preferred candidates before the hiring process began. The presenters argued that BBC News bosses 'privately assured four other chief presenters – two men and two younger women – their jobs were safe.' After challenging the process, Croxall, Giannone, Madera, and McVeigh claimed that they lost their jobs, while some were demoted and others faced a pay cut. The successful candidates were Matthew Amroliwala, Christian Fraser, Yalda Hakim, Lucy Hockings, and Maryam Moshiri. Hakim has since left the BBC for Sky News. The BBC has stood by the recruitment process and an internal HR investigation concluded in 2023 that successful chief presenters were not promised their jobs before an open hiring procedure. Croxall, Giannone, Madera, and McVeigh have remained in lockstep throughout the proceedings and Croxall posted a selfie of the four women on International Women's Day over the weekend. She thanked her colleagues for their 'unstinting friendship and support.' On #InternationalWomensDay I want to thank @KasiaMadera @AnnitaBBC and @KarinBBC for their unstinting friendship and support. Three women of absolute integrity. I could not wish for finer colleagues x — Martine Croxall (@MartineBBC) March 8, 2025 Those in charge of the hiring process are no longer responsible for the BBC News channel. Former news channel editor Jess Brammar now serves as an editorial executive in BBC content, working closely with outgoing content chief Charlotte Moore. Naja Nielsen, digital director of BBC News, is leaving the corporation to join Swedish public broadcaster SVT. Croxall, Giannone, Madera, and McVeigh also made claims about gender pay discrimination, but a London Central Employment Tribunal judge ruled last year that this could not form part of the main hearing because they had previously reached salary settlements. Last November, the National Union of Journalists said the women planned on appealing the decision. Best of Deadline 'The Last Of Us' Season 2: Everything We Know So Far The Best 7 New Movies On Netflix In March 2025 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery
