The BBC's assistant political editor was forced to apologise live on air for his 'sexist' comment

Emily Apple
15th November 2018

The BBC‘s assistant political editor Norman Smith apologised live on air after he was accused of “sexism”. Speaking about Theresa May’s ongoing Brexit deal chaos, Smith stated:

You know, Mrs May is a tough old bird.

But less than half an hour later, Smith apologised for his “familiar” language:

I described the prime minister as a bit of tough one earlier – apologies for that rather familiar language.

Everyday sexism

People on Twitter argued that Smith’s comment was nothing but ‘everyday sexism’:

Obviously I'm not a May fan, but I don't think it's at all on for Norman Smith to describe the PM as a 'tough old bird' or a 'bloody difficult woman'. Quoting others, perhaps, but reinforcing #EverydaySexism

— George J. Severs (@GeorgeSevers10) November 15, 2018

"Mrs May is a tough old bird" – @BBCNormanS descends to cliched ageism and sexism. Lazy and smug #bbcnews

— Jane Gerson (@JaneGerson) November 15, 2018

And as others highlighted, it is very unlikely that a male leader would be described in this way:

@janegarvey1 TM called a tough old bird by Norman Smith on BBC news bet no bloke would be called a tough old git live on tv #justsaying

— Fionaso09 (@SouthworthFiona) November 15, 2018

Ridiculous that @bbcnormanS thinks it acceptable to refer to Theresa May as a "tough old bird" and a "difficult woman". Would a male Primer Minister be so easily referred to as a "tough old geezer"?

— Suzanne Scott (@SuzanneScott_MU) November 15, 2018

Social media users also tweeted their objections directly to the BBC News Twitter account:

@BBCNews did your reporter really just call Theresa May ‘a tough old bird’? Poor journalism and poor choice of very outdated words.

— Julia and John (@hartynutrition) November 15, 2018

Did @BBCNormanS really just describe Theresa May as a "tough old bird"?! Whatever you think of her, that kind of sexist language is totally inappropriate especially on @BBCNews

— Munira Wilson (@munirawilson) November 15, 2018

Not good enough

Calling a female political leader “a tough old bird” is not acceptable. And Smith’s apology does not go far enough. The language was not just “familiar” but downright sexist.

Following on just days after the BBC called out Andrew Neil for his appalling language over journalist Carole Cadwalladr, it’s time for our public broadcaster to admit it has a problem. More importantly, it’s time for it to take action.

Get Involved!

– Read the #everydaysexism hashtag and follow Everyday Sexism on Twitter.

– Join The Canary, so we can keep holding the powerful to account.

Featured image via screengrab and screengrab

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