I got very cross with the BBC for sticking Helen Lewis on Have I Got News For You and wrote to them to complain about it. [1]

For context, Lewis is a journalist notorious for her relentless anti-trans grift.

Obviously HIGNFY has had guests on with odious views before – Boris Johnson springs immediately to mind – but what’s infuriating about the BBC’s response here is the suggestion that trans people wanting to exist is “political”.

I can’t imagine they’d have had the balls to write to me with that argument if they had put on a journo who makes their money via racism, or misogyny.

It does seem that anti-trans sentiment is very much de rigueur amid the liberal establishment, and therefore not treated particularly seriously.

Sure, satire’s importance (and the role of shows like HIGNFY) has always been over-egged in Britain, and (trans, as it happens) writer Juliet Jaques wrote the perfect analysis of post-Corbyn “anti-establishment” comedy, but this is basic stuff.

At the very least, it should be about punching up – and Lewis has made a career out of punching down at one of the most vulnerable minorities in the country.

And, in doing so, shares and legitimises the views, tactics, and arguments of the far right.

Useful idiot or cynical hack, Lewis should at least have been mocked on the show for her pathetic and cruel views, but nah, she’s one of the in-crowd.

Here’s how the email exchange is going so far… I shall update if and when I receive another response from them.

4th October 2024

Dear BBC,

Curious to why Helen Lewis was invited on Have I Got News For You – her incessant anti-trans articles and vile, hate-mongering online comments have caused great pain to that community.

Would you select a vocal homophobe, anti-Semite, or islamophobe to be on the show, or do you take transphobia less seriously than other forms of bigotry?

In your response please explain how she made it onto your show – were you unaware of her repeated hate speech, or did you not care?

Best regards,

J.

14th October 2024

Dear Mr Walsh,

Thanks for contacting us about Have I Got News for You on 4 October.

We recognise your unhappiness that Helen Lewis was a panellist on the show.

Have I Got News For You has always included people with a broad range of political views as both hosts and as guests. Helen Lewis is not a BBC employee and any opinions she has expressed are her own. However, the programme is always made in accordance with the BBC’s editorial guidelines.

We very much value your feedback blah blah etc etc

Yours,

[Name Supplied]

BBC complaints team

21st October 2024

Dear BBC,

Hello.

My previous complaint was misrepresented in your response – it wasn’t Lewis’ “political views” I was objecting to, it was her years-long campaign against trans people.

I have since learned that she co-presents [HIGNFY team captain] Ian Hislop’s podcast, which is unsurprising – Private Eye has also veered into increased hostility to the existence of trans people over the past few years. I also note that her professional relationship with her team captain was not mentioned on the programme.

Again: I’m happy for you to invite on grifters who trade on fearmongering about some of the most vulnerable minorities in society, as long as you are consistent with this.

This is why I asked you to list the recent HIGNFY guests who are best known for their campaigns against other minorities. If you can not provide this, I and others will naturally conclude that you don’t take anti-trans bigotry as seriously as other forms of hate.

I await your response.

With best regards, J

——

[1] I have had complaints upheld before, and articles amended. But it’s tiring. So yes. ALMOST always pointless.