Chief rabbi Jonathan Sacks was asked about Gaza after finishing Thought for the Day without being told he was on air

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

The BBC has apologised to the chief rabbi, Jonathan Sacks, after Radio 4's Today presenter Evan Davis asked him a question about the violence in Gaza without telling him he was live on air.

When Sacks finished his Thought for the Day on Friday morning, Davis asked him to comment on the Gaza situation before he left the studio.

Sacks, seemingly unaware that he was live, said "I think it's got to do with Iran, actually", before Davis' co-presenter Sarah Montague whispered: "We, we're live."

His tone then changed markedly and he called for "a continued prayer for peace, not only in Gaza but for the whole region, no one gains from violence".

According to a number of BBC sources, Sacks was said to be "angry" about the incident and made his feelings known to Today's production team.

The BBC said that Davis had apologised to Sacks and the corporation also issued a statement: "The chief rabbi hadn't realised he was still on air and as soon as this became apparent, we interjected. Evan likes to be spontaneous with guests, but he accepts that in this case it was inappropriate and he has apologised to Lord Sacks. The BBC would reiterate that apology."

However, according to one senior BBC executive, the incident reflects the chaos at BBC News. "This is another cock up for BBC News – they are a law unto themselves on this one," said the source.

"It is a cardinal law that you don't do that to a Thought for the Day presenter – that's a separate thing and you don't ask them questions like that.

"Lord Sacks is the chief rabbi. You show him some respect. This may also fuel the idea in some people's minds that the BBC is anti-Israel."

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