World · Europe · 1 hr ago
BBC faces criticism over interview with activist barred from UK
The BBC interviewed Swedish activist Andreas Malm on its Today radio programme after UK officials blocked him from entering the country.
Officials said his presence may not be conducive to the public good, and Malm called the decision scandalous and appealed for it to be overturned.
Malm has described Hamas as heroic and praised the October 7 attack as part of a liberation struggle, while also calling the killing of civilians deplorable.
The attack in Israel killed 1,200 people and left 251 taken hostage, according to the story.
The Today host questioned Malm about the travel ban but not his past comments, prompting criticism of the interview.
The dispute comes amid controversy over the UK ban on Palestine Action, whose activists broke into an RAF base and sprayed military aircraft with paint.
The BBC faces criticism after Swedish activist Andreas Malm appeared on its Today Programme to discuss being barred from entering the UK.
The Daily Mail says host Sean Farrington did not ask Malm about his past comments on Hamas and the 7 October 2023 attack.
Malm has described Hamas as “heroic” and “armed resistance”, and called the attack “highly deplorable but not incomprehensible”.
UK immigration officials said his presence “may not be considered to be conducive to the public good”.
Malm called the ban “scandalous” and appealed for it to be overturned.
- Who
- The BBC and Swedish activist Andreas Malm.
- What
- The BBC is facing criticism over an interview with Malm, who was barred from entering the UK. The criticism focuses on the interview not addressing his past comments about Hamas and the 7 October attack.
- When
- The article was published on 31 October 2026. The interview date is not stated.
- Where
- The interview was on BBC Radio’s Today Programme. Malm was barred from entering the UK.
- Why
- Immigration officials said his presence may not be conducive to the public good. Critics say the BBC did not question him about his past comments.
Critics of the BBC's interview
Andreas Malm
Interview questioning
Critics of the BBC's interview
The Daily Mail says the host did not ask Malm about his comments supporting or excusing Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups.
Andreas Malm
Malm used the interview to criticise the ban and appeal for the decision to be overturned.
UK entry ban
Critics of the BBC's interview
The Daily Mail reports that immigration officials blocked Malm's entry, citing whether his presence would be conducive to the public good.
Andreas Malm
Malm called the ban “scandalous” and said he was deeply dismayed.
Hamas-led attackers killed 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostage, according to the article.
Malm delivered a lecture in Stockholm in which he described the attack as part of a “fundamentally beautiful liberation struggle”.
The Daily Mail reported that the BBC was facing criticism over Malm's appearance on the Today Programme.
- Activist
- Andreas Malm, 49
- Broadcaster
- BBC
- Programme
- Today Programme
- Entry decision
- UK immigration officials blocked Malm from entering the country
- Attack toll
- 1,200 killed and 251 taken hostage, according to the article
- Article publication
- 31 October 2026
What people are saying
I am deeply dismayed at this sudden ban on travelling to the UK.
I appeal for this decision to be overturned.
highly deplorable but not incomprehensible
heroic