THE BBC has finally responded to outrage at radio host Kaye Adams choosing to read out a message comparing the SNP’s General Election slogan to the rhetoric the Nazis used in the Holocaust.
A Scottish Government minister was among the voices calling out the BBC host after she elected to read a message linking the systematic murder of Jewish people in Adolf Hitler’s Germany to Humza Yousaf’s campaign slogan of a “Tory-free Scotland”.
During BBC Radio Scotland’s Mornings show on Monday, Adams read: “Slowly getting rid of all political opposition, this is the rhetoric of the 1930s, says John.
"What about the 700,000 Scots who vote Conservative, are their political viewpoints to be marginalised from Scottish society and ultimately banned from expressing their opinion?
"Is this Humza’s 'final solution for dealing with the Tory problem'?”
🗣️'Is this Humza's "final solution"?'
— The National (@ScotNational) March 18, 2024
Listen as Kaye Adams reads out a text comparing the SNP's 'Tory-free Scotland' campaign slogan and the Holocaust ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/rturWLx3gQ
The line is a reference to the Nazi slogan "Endlösung der Judenfrage" – the "Final Solution to the Jewish Question". The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum says this phrase describes "the deliberate and systematic mass murder of European Jews".
Emma Roddick, the Scottish Government Equalities Minister, questioned why the comparison was even being discussed.
“There's zero comparison between encouraging people in a free and fair election to vote for you to stop someone you both oppose getting in thanks to an unfair, archaic voting system (that said opponent won't ditch) and *the Holocaust*,” she wrote.
“How is this a conversation?” Roddick added.
“Some days in politics you just have to stop trying to process the arguments you hear because there's a real risk your brain might break from trying. Today is one of those days.”
READ MORE: BBC issues apology after labelling Reform UK 'far right'
MP Gavin Newlands also criticised the segment, writing: “Kaye Adams being, well, an awful lot like Kaye Adams really.
“Horrendous judgment to repeat this despicable nonsense, but hardly unsurprising given her track record.”
And SNP MP Dr Philippa Whitford told The National that the decision to amplify the “appalling” comment and treat it as trivial was a “shocking” move.
Amidst the backlash, the BBC missed three separate deadlines offered by this paper.
When a spokesperson finally responded, they said: "Across the hour we heard a range of views and opinions.
"During this live segment of the programme, a text from a listener was read out which, on reflection, we acknowledge should not have been broadcast in that context. We are sorry for the offence that it caused."
A social media user also shared a message they received from the BBC after complaining about Adams's show.
In their response, the corporation apologises and says that the contribution Adams chose to read out should not have been broadcast.
The BBC said: "Humza Yousaf recently called on SNP members to 'make history' by making Scotland 'Tory free'. The phone-in that morning asked listeners for their views on this and, as usual, we heard from a range of callers and reflected the comments of those contacting the programme.
"During this live segment of the programme, a text from a listener was read out which, on reflection, we acknowledge should not have been broadcast in that context. We are sorry for the offence that it caused.
"We hope this explains our position and we would like to thank you for sharing your concerns with us, which we've discussed with the production team and senior editors."
👀👀👀 A reply from complaint about @BBCRadioScot Kay Adams show , admitting that she was in the wrong and it should not have been broadcast. I am not accepting that apology,I will send a follow up asking for it to be addressed & retracted on air. @HumzaYousaf @theSNP pic.twitter.com/tetys8HlsS
— Bronwyn (@BronwynChat) March 19, 2024
The segment on Adams’s show was focused on Yousaf’s claim that the voting for the SNP can see a “Tory-free Scotland” because the two parties are each other’s main contenders in rural areas.
As it stands, the Conservatives have seven MPs north of the Border. However, the party seems to have given up any chance of retaining the East Kilbride seat, which they have thanks to Lisa Cameron’s defection from the SNP but have never won at an election.
In the other six Tory-held seats, the SNP are the main contender.
However, the “Tory-free” rhetoric caused controversy after Pete Wishart, the SNP’s longest serving MP, said he would not be using it in his campaign.
“Much as I will be doing everything possible to ensure that the Tories are kept out of Perth and Kinross-shire I won’t be using this ‘Tory-free’ rhetoric as part of my campaign,” Wishart wrote.
Mhairi Black, the SNP's Westminster depute leader, said: "It is a simple fact that if you want to make Scotland free of Tory MPs, then you must vote SNP.
"The SNP are Scotland's voice at Westminster and the only party who will put Scotland's interests first – and that is exactly what we will be offering voters at the next General Election.”
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