BBC presenter breaks impartiality rules by calling transgender women ‘males’ live on air

A BBC presenter broke impartiality rules by calling transgender women “males” live on air.

The broadcaster upheld a complaint against the Today Show host Justin Webb after he said “trans women, in other words, males” on Radio 4 last August.

Alamy

The broadcaster upheld a complaint against the Today Show host Justin Webb after he said ‘trans women, in other words, males’ on Radio 4 last August[/caption]

Getty

The BBC’s editorial complaints said the radio star, 63, ‘gave the impression of endorsing one viewpoint in a highly controversial area’[/caption]

A listener complained to the Beeb that the remark showed Mr Webb – paid £280,000 a year – giving his personal view on gender identity, instead of remaining neutral.

The host made the comment during a discussion on whether male-born trans-female chess players had an advantage over women.

The BBC’s editorial complaints said the radio star, 63, “gave the impression of endorsing one viewpoint in a highly controversial area”.

But Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at the women’s rights group Sex Matters, said: “By making clear that ‘trans women’ are male, Webb was simply doing his job.

“By disciplining a presenter who states biological reality and seeks to inform his audience, the BBC has lost all credibility.”

The BBC also revealed it had received 287 complaints about its coverage of a story on claims trans women’s milk was as good as breast milk from biological women.

Last night the Beeb was invited to comment.