Outrage as trans activist mocks Dame Jenni Murray hours after broadcaster’s death was announced
A Trans activist has sparked outrage by targeting former Woman’s Hour presenter Dame Jenni Murray, 24 hours after the much-loved broadcaster’s death was announced.
Writing on social media platform X, India Willoughby accused Dame Jenni of spreading ‘Terf litter’ and helping to create an anti-trans atmosphere in the UK.
The 60-year-old trans woman recalled appearing on Woman’s Hour in 2017 to talk about her roles as a newsreader on Channel 5 and a columnist on ITV show Loose Woman.
She wrote: ‘I was invited to WH for what I expected to be a normal light showbiz interview – but immediately Jenni Murray was grossly arrogant – ‘What right do you have to present a show for women?’ she asked.’
Willoughby also referred to an article Dame Jenni later wrote for The Times.
He recalled: ‘A few days later he wrote a hit double-page spread in The Times; He said I wasn’t a real woman and all the Terf bullshit we hear every day now. Truly terrible things. ‘I complained and the BBC suspended him for six months.’
Following a complaint from Dame Jenni, she was banned from discussing trans issues live by the BBC and although she was not suspended, she left the program in October 2020 after 33 years.
The Daily Mail columnist, who has died aged 75, wrote in the paper last year: ‘I have not been sacked but I have been banned from discussing this debate live on air. This was followed by further tweets in which India called me a disgusting cow and much worse.’
Daily Mail columnist Dame Jenni Murray, who hosted BBC Radio 4’s Women’s Hour program for more than three decades, died aged 75 on March 12 this year.
Publicist India Willoughby accuses Dame Jenni of spreading ‘Terf litter’ and helping create an anti-trans atmosphere in the UK
Yesterday Willoughby was criticized on social media for his remarks about Dame Jenni. One wrote: ‘How did we know you would make all this about yourself? Jenni was absolutely right. ‘You are not a woman.’
There was also support for Dame Jenni’s line of questioning in 2017.
One wrote: ‘That was a fair question. What makes a man suitable to host a show for women? ‘It is the height of patriarchy when women lose their jobs or are suspended from work if they interrogate a man.’
Another said Willoughby’s criticism of Dame Jenni would not detract from her excellent career as a broadcaster.
They wrote: ‘Jenni was a wonderful woman, unafraid to speak the truth and an unquestioned advocate for women. You were a blemish on his amazing career. RIP.’
On yesterday’s edition of the Today programme, presenter Nick Robinson hinted that Dame Jenni felt ‘excluded’ by the BBC and others over her involvement in the trans debate.
She made this point in an interview with former Labor Deputy Leader Harriet Harman, who is also a trans supporter.
Ms Harman told the program that Dame Jenni’s involvement in the trans debate should not detract from her wider contribution to the feminist movement.
Maya Forstater, chief executive of campaign group Sex Matters, said: ‘It was an absolute insult to the BBC to have Harriet Harman appear on the Today Program and imply that Jenni Murray’s principled stance detracted from its feminism rather than being integral to it.’
Ms Willoughby declined to comment last night.
