City Hall is accused of ‘turning a blind eye’ after BBC presenter embroiled in anti-Semitism row is picked to host youth awards event

The City Hall has been accused of ‘turning a blind eye’ after a BBC presenter embroiled in an anti-Semitism row was appointed to host a London youth awards event.

Organizers behind the London Youth Achievement Awards are using ‘very stringent’ vetting processes over politically sensitive comments from event attendees, a source at the London Youth Council has claimed.

However, the source questioned why Eddie Nestor was approved to host this year’s ceremony despite apologizing for his anti-Semitic statements during the 2024 mayoral election.

The source claimed City Hall and London Assembly officials had raised concerns about another presenter’s comments linked to the awards due to ‘political sensitivity’.

The source told the Daily Mail: ‘If the City Hall has such stringent vetting processes, why is this something they haven’t noticed, I doubt it?’

The source added: ‘There is absolutely no negligence. ‘They chose to ignore it.’

According to the source, the London Youth Achievement Awards were launched to reward young people aged 11 to 18 who are ‘doing extraordinary things’.

An insider claimed that Jewish attendees and attendees may feel uncomfortable at the event, given current sensitivities around anti-Semitism.

‘At a time when there is so much political sensitivity’ [around] The source said anti-Semitism should not be overlooked by the town hall.

The source claimed City Hall and London Assembly officials had raised concerns about another presenter’s comments linked to the awards due to ‘political sensitivity’. Image: City Hall

The source added: ‘You can only imagine how disruptive it must be for an event where young people are supposed to be recognised.’

The source continued: ‘I would say there are even antisemitic attitudes within the organisation.’

During a discussion on BBC Radio London about the mayoral elections in JW3 last month, Nestor spoke about the ‘Jewish lobby’ and Jewish ‘power’.

The BBC later apologized for the comments, which community leaders described as ‘old anti-Semitic tropes’.

During the interview, Nestor said: ‘The only time all four of you were together, other than last night’s debate, was in the Jewish lobby.

‘Why is this lobby so much stronger than disabled people, why is it so much stronger than people who are concerned about the safety of women and girls, older voters?’

The inaugural London Youth Achievement Awards were created in 2025 by Ashan Khehra, former president of the London Youth Council.

A City Hall spokesman said: ‘The London Assembly has a long history of condemning all forms of racism and discrimination, including antisemitism.

‘Unanimously adopted motions on the issue in 2021, 2022 and 2024 and condemned the recent antisemitic attacks in Golders Green.

‘The London Youth Achievement Awards celebrate the work young Londoners do to make their communities a better place and are a wonderful celebration of the achievements these young people have worked so hard for.

‘Eddie Nestor has hosted a non-political London radio show for over 20 years, covering the stories that matter most to all communities in London.

‘The BBC and Eddie Nestor have apologized for the wording of a question asked during the 2024 Mayoral election programme.

‘Mr Nestor has consistently used his media platform to highlight the impact of all forms of racism and discrimination and the need to combat it, through recent discussions on his BBC Radio London programme.’