Storm over BBC online debate on 'killing gays'

By KATE LOVEYS
Updated:

The BBC was under fire last night for opening a debate on whether gays should be executed.

The broadcaster started a discussion on its BBC News website asking: 'Should homosexuals face execution?'

The question was posed after a proposed law to execute homosexuals was put forward in Uganda.

BBC website which published debate on whether gays should be executed

Offensive: The BBC News website discussion attracted 633 comments on a debate about whether gays should be executed before it was removed

More than 633 comments were sent to the discussion board, 206 of which were published before it was closed, making it the most popular forum on the website today.

MPs expressed their shock at the decision to ask such an offensive question. 

Labour's Eric Joyce, who told MPs about the online forum, said he was 'completely mystified' as to why it had been set up.

'We should be looking at what is going on in Uganda with abhorrence,' he said.

'The BBC are probably thinking they are communicating with people in Africa. As it happens, everyone who has replied comes from somewhere else.'

Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem youth and equality spokesman, said: 'Suggesting the state-sponsored murder of gay people is OK as a legitimate topic for debate is deeply offensive.

'The BBC are only fanning the flames of hatred. They must act and apologise for their gross insensitivity.'

The debate was published by the World Service Africa Have Your Say forum, which is part of the BBC's main news website.

Its editor David Stead last night insisted he had thought long and hard about posing the question.

'We agree it is a stark and challenging question, but think that it accurately focuses on and illustrates the real issue at stake,' he added.

'If Uganda's MPs vote to proceed with the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, they will bring legislation that could condemn people to death for some homosexual activities.'

A BBC spokesman said it had not yet received an official complaint about the question.

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