By MARK HOOKHAM, ASSISTANT EDITOR (INVESTIGATIONS)
Published: | Updated:
The BBC has removed 'Left-wing' material from its education website that pushed 'extreme' views on migration and Net Zero after an exposé by The Mail on Sunday.
The corporation was last week accused of 'brainwashing' children after we revealed how BBC Bitesize encouraged them to play an online game in which they were rewarded for choosing 'open borders' and giving an amnesty to illegal migrants.
The MoS understands the report caused major concern among senior BBC bosses who ordered a review. The material highlighted by the MoS investigation began to be removed from the Bitesize website early last week.
It was replaced with a message that reads: 'This content is currently under review.
'We occasionally review content to ensure that it remains up to date and in line with the curriculum.'
BBC bosses also removed a page that hailed a string of Left-wing and progressive 'political' icons, including climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Our revelations prompted Laura Trott, the shadow education secretary, to write to BBC director-general Matt Brittin last Monday, urging him to 'remove or suspend' material that fails to meet the BBC's standards on impartiality.
The BBC has removed 'Left-wing' material from the Bitesize website that pushed 'extreme' views on migration and Net Zero
Danny Cohen, a former controller of BBC television, said: 'These are such blatant breaches of impartiality that it is no surprise the BBC has removed this material, even more so given it was targeted at children.
'The BBC should transparently explain to licence-fee payers why this was allowed to happen and what steps it will take to ensure it is not repeated.
'It is further evidence of ongoing failures of impartiality at the BBC where leaders continue to bury their heads in the sand.'
This newspaper also revealed how the Bitesize website, used by 1.7 million pupils a week, suggested that those concerned that migrants will take jobs from local people are 'prejudiced' and encouraged children to join Left-wing campaign group Amnesty International.
A BBC spokesman said: 'We recognise the trust parents and teachers place in Bitesize.
'All content must be relevant for the audience and be compliant with the BBC's editorial guidelines and we are reviewing these examples in that context.'