Irish journalist Kevin Myers slammed for 'anti-Semitic' remarks in Sunday Times column

Kevin Myers wrote about Claudia Winkleman, one of the BBC's best-paid women, in his 'anti-Semitic' Sunday Times article
Dave Benett
Eleanor Rose30 July 2017

The Sunday Times has apologised after a furious backlash against "anti-Semitic" comments contained in an article about women's pay.

In a column titled "Sorry ladies - equal pay has to be earned", Irish journalist Kevin Myers remarked that some of the BBC's best-paid women had Jewish roots.

He wrote: "I note that two of the best-paid women presenters in the BBC - Claudia Winkleman and Vanessa Feltz, with whose, no doubt, sterling work I am tragically unacquainted - are Jewish. Good for them.

He went on: "Jews are not generally noted for their insistence on selling their talent for the lowest possible price, which is the most useful measure there is of inveterate, lost-with-all-hands stupidity."

The article, which appeared in the Irish edition of The Sunday Times, had been removed from the newspaper's website by mid-morning on Sunday.

Twitter users slammed Mr Myers's column as anti-Semitic.

"This is utterly disgusting," wrote one.

"Kevin Myers (writer) must be sacked. Any editors who let this get through must be investigated and asked how this was published. Disgrace," wrote another.

"Shame on @thesundaytimes for this vile anti Semitic rant," wrote another.

Mr Myers also commented in the controversial article that men were "possibly" more charismatic, hard-working and driven than their female counterparts.

He wrote: "Only one woman is among the top 10 best-paid BBC presenters. Now, why is this?

"Is it because men are more charismatic performers? Because they work harder? Because they are more driven? Possibly a bit of each."

The newspaper apologised for the article on Sunday morning.

The Sunday Times editor Martin Ivens said: "The comments in a column by Kevin Myers in today's Irish edition of The Sunday Times were unacceptable and should not have been published.

"It has been taken down and we sincerely apologise both for the remarks and the error of judgement that led to publication."

Frank Fitzgibbon, editor of The Sunday Times Ireland, said: "On behalf of The Sunday Times I apologise unreservedly for the offence caused by comments in a column written by Kevin Myers and published today in the Ireland edition of The Sunday Times.

"It contained views that have caused considerable distress and upset to a number of people. As the editor of the Ireland edition I take full responsibility for this error of judgment.

"This newspaper abhors anti-Semitism and did not intend to cause offence to Jewish people."

Kevin Myers, who has written for the Belfast Telegraph and Irish Times among others, has previously come under fire for an article entitled "Africa is giving nothing to anyone – apart from AIDS", as well as comments that there "was no Holocaust".

The Campaign Against Anti Semitism said it would report the "brazenly anti-Semitic" article to the Independent Press Standards Organisation and asked for confirmation that Mr Myers will not write again for any News UK title.

It said in a statement: “It is clear that Kevin Myers should not have been invited to write for the Sunday Times, and his editors should never have allowed the article to be published.

"That they removed the article within hours of publishing it is proof that the decision was irrefutably wrong."

The Standard has approached Mr Myers for comment.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in