Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Ex-BBC producer sues for racial discrimination after ‘all-white’ panel laughed at her accent

A former BBC production manager has claimed she was racially discriminated against when applying for a new job at the company, where bosses ‘laughed’ at her Indian accent.

Malika Keswani was being interviewed for the BBC Sport Production role in Salford, Manchester, where she alleged the all-white panel ‘subtly laughed’ at her while trying to contain their amusement, according to MailOnline.


She was rejected for the job in February 2020 and claimed she hired an ‘accent coach’ and became ‘increasingly anxious and overwhelmed at work’.

Keswani alleged the broadcaster of being “racially biased” and is seeking a pay-out from her former employers at a London tribunal.

“I was concerned they wanted to keep me in the World Service to meet diversity targets,” she was quoted as saying by the paper.

“I kept being asked to interviews so the BBC could meet its requirement to interview a diverse candidate.

“My grievance reflected my own experiences and the biased and unfair recruitment process I was subject to, but also highlighted wider diversity issues across the BBC.”

Keswani said had she been “scored fairly”, she would have been ranked as an equal to second-placed candidates, meaning the BBC would have to give her the job under the Equality Act 2010 as she is non-white.

Instead, the job vacancy was filled with a white woman after she was unfairly marked down at the interview.

The interview panel, which consisted of BBC Sport heads of manufacturing, Debbie Dubois and Rachel Wright and lead expertise supervisor Mel Adams, modified her scores after they gave her interview suggestions, she claimed.

Dubois, Adams and Wright all stated they by no means mocked Keswani’s accent and that she was not marked down unfairly.

Keswani said she felt “pigeon holed” into the World Service as that was where her 'face fits', and said bosses did not give her any career development support because they were worried no one had the skills to replace her in her existing job.

She was passed over for other jobs at the broadcaster's Arabic service, Africa service and Panorama during the second half of 2019, and on the first day of lockdown in 2020, she even asked to cover for colleagues in current affairs who got ill with coronavirus or had to isolate.

Her line manager was said to have been particularly hostile to any move and claimed she was never offered mentoring despite repeated requests.

Keswani said: “The BBC's failure to make reasonable adjustments only exacerbated my anxiety and my anxiety disorder was diagnosed as PTSD in October 2020.

“The impact on my health was unbearable at the BBC and I had come to the role with the hope of making a difference.”

She added: “I had been under the impression the BBC was an equal opportunities employer, but I had faced nothing but barriers and suppression.

“My resignation made it clear that I considered I had been discriminated against as a result of being a BAME employee and the BBC was failing in its efforts to be inclusive.”

The BBC were approached and denies her claims and the tribunal continues.

More For You

Police officers

Police officers stand guard between an anti fascist group and Tommy Robinson supporters during an anti-immigration rally organised by British anti-immigration activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, in London, Britain, September 13, 2025.

REUTERS/Jaimi Joy

UK defends France migrant returns deal after court blocks first removal

THE British government has defended its new migrant returns deal with France after a High Court ruling temporarily blocked the deportation of an Eritrean asylum seeker, marking an early legal setback to the scheme.

The 25-year-old man, who arrived in Britain on a small boat from France on August 12, was due to be placed on an Air France flight from Heathrow to Paris on Wednesday (17) morning. But on Tuesday (16), Judge Clive Sheldon granted an interim injunction, saying there was a “serious issue to be tried” over his claim to be a victim of trafficking.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian surgeon sentenced to six years for sexual assault

Dr Amal Bose. (Photo: Lancashire Police)

Asian surgeon sentenced to six years for sexual assault

AN ASIAN senior heart surgeon, who abused his position to sexually assault female members of staff, has been jailed for six years.

Dr Amal Bose, from Lancaster, was convicted of 12 counts of sexual assault against five colleagues at Blackpool Victoria Hospital between 2017 and 2022. He was cleared of two other charges.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi & Trump

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House on February 13, 2025.

Reuters

Trump greets Modi on 75th birthday, trade talks continue in Delhi

Highlights:

  • Both leaders reaffirm commitment to India-US partnership
  • Trade talks resume in New Delhi amid tariff tensions
  • India defends purchase of discounted Russian oil

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Tuesday called Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and greeted him ahead of his 75th birthday. The phone call sparked hopes of a reset in India-US ties, which had been under strain after Washington doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent.

Keep ReadingShow less
11th UK Gatka Championship

All winners received medals and trophies

UK Parliament

11th UK Gatka Championship ends with Welsh debut and £1,000 support for Gatka Akharas

Highlights:

  • The 11th UK National Gatka Championship was hosted near Cardiff, marking the first time in Wales.
  • Winners included Roop Kaur (girls), Navjot Singh (boys), and Gurdeep Singh (men’s).
  • Gatka Federation UK awarded £1,000 to each participating Akhara to support martial arts promotion.
  • Chief guests included MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation.

Gatka Championship marks Welsh debut

The 11th UK National Gatka Championship concluded on a high note near Cardiff, Wales, showcasing the traditional Sikh martial art with flair. Seven leading Gatka Akharas participated, thrilling spectators with their lightning-fast strikes, precision moves and elegant techniques.

Inauguration by global leaders

The tournament was inaugurated by Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation (WGF) and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI). He was joined by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP, President of Gatka Federation UK, alongside other dignitaries including Jagbir Singh Jagga Chakar, President of Wales Kabaddi Club, and community leaders from the Haveli Hotel Pontyclun.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vantara

The site, located in Gujarat, houses hundreds of elephants, as well as 50 bears, 160 tigers, 200 lions, 250 leopards, and 900 crocodiles. (Photo: Instagram/Vantara)

India court probe clears Ambani family’s animal centre

AN INDIAN Supreme Court-ordered investigation has cleared a large private animal facility run by the son of Asia’s richest man, rejecting allegations of wildlife violations.

Vantara, described as the “world’s biggest wild animal rescue centre,” is operated by Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.

Keep ReadingShow less