BBC Could Face Counter-Terror Investigation Over Payments to Hamas Official’s Family

[Social Media]

 

The BBC is at the center of controversy after admitting that the family of a senior Hamas official received payments for their involvement in a documentary about Gaza. The revelation has led to calls for a counter-terror investigation into whether public funds were inadvertently directed to individuals linked to the proscribed terrorist group.  

 

The documentary, *Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone*, was pulled from BBC iPlayer last month after it emerged that the child narrator, a 14-year-old named Abdullah, was the son of a high-ranking Hamas official. On Thursday, the BBC disclosed that Abdullah’s mother had received payment from the production company, Hoyo Films, through his sister’s bank account. This disclosure has sparked outrage, with politicians and campaigners demanding accountability and legal action if necessary.  

 

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are assessing the situation. “We’re aware of a BBC documentary about Gaza and have received a number of reports raising concerns. Officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command are currently assessing whether any police action is required in relation to this matter,” a police spokesperson stated.  

 

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy called an emergency meeting with BBC Chair Samir Shah to address what she described as the corporation’s “serious failings.” She insisted that the internal review ordered by BBC Director General must be thorough, saying, “This review must be comprehensive, rigorous, and get to the bottom of exactly what has happened in this case.”  

 

However, this has done little to appease critics, who are demanding immediate action. Lord Ian Austin, a former Labour MP and independent peer, told the *Daily Mail*, “Surely those who oversaw the making of this program should be sacked for the very serious professional and moral failings. The Met must immediately investigate whether the BBC allowed public money to end up in the hands of terrorists. There must be an independent inquiry into how this documentary was made, and if anyone is found responsible for paying or overseeing the payment of license-fee money to Hamas, they should face the full force of the law.”  

 

Alex Hearn, co-director of Labour Against Antisemitism, echoed the call for a counter-terror probe, stating, “Counter-terrorism police must now investigate what happened, and if necessary, arrests should be made.”  

 

A spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism went even further, calling the situation a national disgrace. “A national treasure has become a national embarrassment. The BBC has now admitted that license fee funds were paid to the family of a senior Hamas official. It has not yet been able to rule out that further payments to Hamas were made as it continues to investigate where hundreds of thousands of pounds went. Clearly, those responsible must lose their jobs. We are among those who have reported the BBC to Counter Terrorism Policing, which is now investigating.”  

 

Labour MP Luke Akehurst also condemned the BBC’s actions, criticizing the broadcaster’s handling of Middle East coverage. “I expect far better from our national public broadcaster. It’s the latest but one of the most shocking examples of their bias in their Middle East coverage. They really need to get their act together to restore their reputation for impartial coverage.”  

 

As investigations continue, the BBC faces mounting pressure to clarify how these payments were made and to ensure that public funds are not inadvertently directed toward individuals linked to designated terrorist organizations.

 

Based on a report by The Telegraph  2025-03-03

 

Related Topics

BBC Admits ‘Serious Flaws’ in Gaza Documentary, Apologizes for Oversight

Did BBC Pay Hamas Members To Be In Documentary?

BBC Faces Fresh Backlash Over Alleged Gaza Documentary Cover-Up

BBC Doc Features Son Of Hamas Leader but Fails to Disclose to Viewers

 

 

[mikeymike100]

"A spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism went even further, calling the situation a national disgrace. “A national treasure has become a national embarrassment. The BBC has now admitted that license fee funds were paid to the family of a senior Hamas official. It has not yet been able to rule out that further payments to Hamas were made as it continues to investigate where hundreds of thousands of pounds went. Clearly, those responsible must lose their jobs. We are among those who have reported the BBC to Counter Terrorism Policing, which is now investigating.”  "

 

The Anti Terror Police may well investigate this disgraceful behavior, but its very doubtful anything will come of it. The BBC have repeatedly shown bias toward Hamas, breaking the formal agreement with the Government, re the BBC charter,  What has happened to the BBC in the form of disciplinary action..nothing, they are like Teflon!

[Watawattana]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy called an emergency meeting with BBC Chair Samir Shah to address what she described as the corporation’s “serious failings.” She insisted that the internal review ordered by BBC Director General must be thorough, saying, “This review must be comprehensive, rigorous, and get to the bottom of exactly what has happened in this case.”

My confidence levels in this or in anyone involved in this is about as high as my confidence in Man Utd winning the Premier League any time soon.

 

The culture and direction of pretty much every organisation comes from the very top of that organisation.  I've never come across any exceptions to that.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samir_Shah

[Bkk Brian]

48 minutes ago, Watawattana said:

My confidence levels in this or in anyone involved in this is about as high as my confidence in Man Utd winning the Premier League any time soon.

 

The culture and direction of pretty much every organisation comes from the very top of that organisation.  I've never come across any exceptions to that.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samir_Shah

Quite right, but as always they think they can just investigate themselves so it all goes away quietly. Not this time.

 

From the BBC ex controller.

“The ultimate failing here is by the BBC’s leadership. They should not be allowed to just investigate themselves … the journalistic failings of this programme are part of a wider system failure at the BBC.”

https://archive.ph/oCnRQ

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/media/article/bbc-manipulated-by-terrorists-over-gaza-film-says-former-chief-73bmxrsf2