The BBC is facing a potential terrorist probe after admitting that it paid the family of Hamas terrorist organisations for a documentary in Gaza.
Last month, one of the BBC subjects Gaza: How to survive in the war zone Documentary, 14-year-old Abdullah al-Yazouri is not the average resident of Palestinian territory, but a member of the “Hamas Royal Family” and the son of Hamas Minister of Agriculture Dr. Ayman al-Yazouri, who himself relates to one of the founding members of the terrorist group.
This week, the BBC allowed the payment to Al-Yazouri's family through the production company behind the documentary Hoyo Films, urging a request for an investigation to determine whether public funds have been granted to families of banned terrorist groups.
Friday, a spokesman for the metropolitan police I said Daily Mail: “I know of the BBC documentary about Gaza and have received many reports that raise concerns.
“The MET counterterrorism command officers are currently assessing whether police action is necessary in connection with this issue.”
A spokesman for the campaign against anti-Semitism, calling for a fear investigation into publicly funded broadcasters: The BBC now acknowledges that the licensing fee has been paid to the families of senior Hamas officials.
“As we continue to investigate where the hundreds of thousands of pounds went, we have not yet been able to rule out further payments to Hamas. Obviously, the person in charge must lose their jobs. We are one of those who have reported that the BBC is countering terrorist policing, and are currently under investigation.”
Former Labour MP Lord Ian Austin asks Met to “quickly investigate” whether the BBC has allowed public funds to be sent to terrorists.
“They should face the full power of the law about how this documentary was made and if someone is found to be liable to pay or oversee the payment of the license fee to Hamas,” he said.
The BBC, which removed the documentary from its online streaming service, has admitted that there is a “serious flaw” in the creation of the Pro Gaza film, and that BBC Director Tim Davy will face a grill from members of Congress next week.
A BBC spokesman argued that although the station has made numerous documentaries to the production company about the subject's potential bond with Hamas, it was only after it aired that Hoyo film acknowledged its 14-year-old terrorist group that it recognized.
The spokesman said: “Since transmission, they have admitted that the boy's father knew that he was the Deputy Minister of Agriculture in the Hamas government. They also admitted that they never told the BBC this fact.
“At the time, the BBC's own failure was not revealing that fact and the documentary had aired. Hoyo's film says it paid the boy's mother a limited amount for narration through his sister's bank account.
“Hoyo Films have assured Hamas or its affiliates that no payments have been made directly, kindly or as a gift, but the BBC is seeking additional guarantees regarding the program's budget and will undergo a full audit of spending.”
