New Woman's Hour host Emma Barnett has issued a statement after a guest pulled out of an appearance on the show at the last moment.
Actress Kelechi Okafor told her Instagram followers that she had been preparing to appear on today's episode of the Radio 4 series to talk about the #MeToo movement when she overheard the presenter "talking s**t" about her to her producers.
"I won't be going on Woman's Hour now," she said. "The host didn't realise that her mic was on as she was talking s**t about me to the producers.
"The same stupid rumour or furore that started a couple of years ago that I've addressed since keeps coming back because people just like to be wayward and apparently these people were tweeting at her and [saying] 'Why the f**k do we have Kelechi on the show when all of this is going on?'
"Meanwhile, she's not on mute, meanwhile I'm hearing the whole thing."
She added on Twitter: "You can have a genuine concern about something you've been told about me and address it in a manner that is kind. That wasn't what took place. Myself and the other people who would be talking during the segment could hear me being talked about like a d**khead.
"When she clocks the mic is on suddenly it's 'well kelechi could you just explain to me because I'm trying to give you a chance to explain...' It was on your producers to have explained and done their research. It was on you to check your mic."
Responding to Okafor's comments, Barnett issued a statement through her own social media account giving her account of what happened - but did not apologise to Okafor for the overheard conversation.
"Just before I went on air this morning to present a special programme about Me Too – pegged to the anniversary of Harvey Weinstein's court case – it came to my attention that one of our guests, Kelechi Okafor, had made alleged anti-Semitic remarks," Barnett wrote.
"I was also sent a press report of the transcript of what she had said on her podcast supporting Reggie Yates's comments about Jewish male managers and profits.
"As Weinstein is also Jewish and was referenced as part of this same podcast I was discussing with my producers the role of this guest in light of her allegedly anti Semitic comments. Kelechi overheard that chat on our open Zoom link – with 2 minutes to airtime.
"I then directly talked to Kelechi about the allegations, standing by my queries, and said she could put her response across in the programme. She denied the allegations and hung up, choosing to no longer be part of the programme.
"I stand by my questions to my team and to Kelechi. And I would have happily hosted her on the programme with a question on this issue. I believe people can always answer for themselves – but equally it is my duty to ask people what qualifies them as a leading voice in a space. And about any previous issues which may influence their views.
"Any guest is entitled to make their own decisions about whether to appear on a programme but in the interests of fairness I feel it's important to add some detail to the accounts that are currently circulating in the press and social media.
"Woman's Hour is a wonderful platform known for its robust journalism and asking all the questions that need asking. I am greatly enjoying my first week."
Barnett took over as host of Woman's Hour on Monday.
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