Oscar Winner Takes £400,000 Settlement From BBC

Lucie Kon, an Oscar and Emmy winning producer, has received a payout of more than £400,000 from the BBC. The settlement resolves unfair dismissal proceedings following Kon's departure from the corporation in April. She left just 19 days after winning an Academy Award for her work.

Kon built her career at the BBC on shows including Panorama and Today. Her films have also earned a BAFTA and other industry honors. She alleges that her standing at the broadcaster shifted rapidly after the October 7 attacks in Israel.

Kon described a conversation with a colleague on WhatsApp where she remarked that Hamas were evil. The colleague replied that Zionists were also evil. Kon said the colleague treated the statement as a joke, equating the two groups. Later, when Kon advocated for staff to describe Hamas as terrorists, another colleague insisted she also label Israel a terrorist state.

Kon helped establish an internal WhatsApp group for Jewish employees and wrote to then Director General Tim Davie. She proposed a film about the October 7 events to a colleague who had previously made critical remarks. That colleague dismissed the idea, saying enough films about Israel had been made.

Her manager later called Kon in to discuss the project. The manager stated the film needed to contextualize why Hamas acted as it did. Kon explained the project was meant to be a straightforward account of the day's events. When she pushed back, her manager's manager removed her from the project.

The manager told Kon the removal was because she was Jewish and therefore partial. Kon said the film would instead be overseen by the colleague who had earlier equated Hamas and Israel. An arrangement was later made for Kon to oversee the film only under strict supervision to ensure impartiality.

Kon filed a formal grievance, which was not upheld. She was told that colleagues did not remember making the comments about her being Jewish. The BBC cited concerns about her mental health. Her appeal was also unsuccessful. During this time, the BBC moved her colleague to a different office while Kon was barred from traveling or commissioning work.

By December, Kon was on stress-related sick leave. Upon returning, she was told her job was at risk of redundancy. She applied for a new role but was rejected and made redundant in April. The BBC paid the settlement without admitting liability and refused to apologize. Kon said other Jewish colleagues are still struggling with the workplace climate.