BBC settles with award-winning producer for £400,000 after antisemitism dispute

Lucie Kon has received a settlement of more than £400,000 from the BBC following a dispute over antisemitism in the workplace.

The producer, who holds an Oscar, an Emmy, and a BAFTA, left the corporation in April after a formal grievance process failed to resolve her complaints. The payout was reached after unfair dismissal proceedings, with the BBC agreeing to pay the sum without admitting liability.

Kon alleged that her standing at the broadcaster changed after the October 7 attacks. She told The Telegraph that a colleague responded to her message about Hamas by stating that Zionists were also evil. Kon described the remark as tasteless given the timing.

When Kon raised concerns about how staff could describe the conflict, a colleague told her that if she called Hamas terrorists, she must also call Israel a terrorist state. Kon subsequently helped create a WhatsApp group for Jewish employees and wrote to then-Director General Tim Davie regarding the climate in the workplace.

A dispute arose when Kon proposed a film about the events of October 7. Her manager initially suggested the project needed context on why Hamas acted as it did. When Kon explained the film would be a straightforward account, her manager’s manager stated she could no longer oversee the project because she was Jewish and therefore partial.

Kon filed a formal grievance, but the BBC ruled it was not upheld. She was told that colleagues did not remember making the comments and that concerns about her mental health, rather than her religion, were the reason for the change in her role. Her appeal was also rejected.

During the appeal process, the BBC restricted Kon’s ability to travel, commission work, or speak for the corporation. She later took stress-related sick leave and was subsequently made redundant in April after being rejected for a new position.

A BBC spokesperson stated that the processes did not uphold Kon’s allegations of antisemitism but acknowledged shortcomings and the personal impact on her. The corporation also noted that Kon acknowledged the BBC was not institutionally antisemitic. Kon told The Telegraph that she believes other Jewish colleagues continue to face bullying and that she felt her identity had become a problem within the organization.