A BBC presenter has been "ordered" to take down a tweet about the Welsh flag after he got involved in a Union Flag row.
Huw Edwards joked that he’ll be presenting BBC News in front of a massive Welsh flag after Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick appeared on BBC Breakfast in front of a huge Union Flag, with presenter Charlie Stayt unable to resist making a joke about it.
Edwards wrote on Twitter: "Flags are now mandatory — very pleased with my new backdrop for @BBCNews at Ten."
After deleting the post, Edwards said: "Gutted. My pro [Welsh] flag tweet has been cut down in its prime. By order. But it will be back tomorrow — by popular demand. Meanwhile enjoy this magnificent [BBC ] flag — one of my favourites."
Gutted. My pro-flag 🏴 tweet has been cut down in its prime. By order. But it will be back tomorrow 🏉 — by popular demand. 🏴 Meanwhile enjoy this magnificent flag — one of my favourites. 😇 #SixNationsRugby #FRAvWAL pic.twitter.com/f1RY9xIvNJ
— Huw Edwards (@huwbbc) March 19, 2021
Rounding off an interview with Jenrick yesterday, BBC Breakfast presenter Stayt said: “I think your flag is not up to standard-size government interview … measurements. It’s just a little bit small, but that’s your department really.”
Co-host Naga Munchetty noted there’s also a picture of the Queen on display in what she presumed to be the minister’s Westminster office.
She added “there’s always a flag” on show whenever Tory politicians are interviewed on the show.
WATCH: BBC presenters mock Tory minister over his Union flag display
Last night Muncherry apologised for liking “offensive” tweets about Jenrick's Union Jack backdrop.
She said she had since removed the likes and that they did not represent the views of the broadcaster.
She wrote on Twitter: “I ‘liked’ tweets today that were offensive in nature about the use of the British flag as a backdrop in a government interview this morning. I have since removed these ‘likes’.
“This do not represent the views of me or the BBC. I apologise for any offence taken.”
The BBC declined to comment further.
New director-general Tim Davie warned BBC staff over their use of social media in September last year.
READ MORE: BBC's Naga Munchetty sorry after liking tweets mocking Tory Union flag displays
The corporation later published new impartiality guidelines which warned employees not to bring the corporation “into disrepute” with their behaviour online.
These included guidance on avoiding bias through follows, likes or re-posting and shares, as well as tougher guidelines for some staff in news, current affairs, factual journalism, senior leadership, and a small number of presenters who have a significant public profile.
Munchetty joined the BBC in 2008 and became a lead presenter on BBC Breakfast in 2014.
She was rebuked by the BBC in 2019 after commenting on US president Donald Trump’s call for a group of female Democrats to “go back” to their own countries.
The corporation initially ruled that the presenter had breached editorial guidelines before then director-general Lord Tony Hall reversed the decision.
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