A Conservative Party peer has apologised to student and University Challenge contestant Melika Gorgianeh for "wrongly alleging" she'd chosen "one of the most disgusting antisemitic symbols" as her team's mascot.
Gorgianeh and her fellow students from Christ Church in Oxford took part in a pre-recorded instalment of the BBC quiz show back in November.
Following the episode, social media was rife with angered viewers who claimed the team's mascot of a blue octopus and the colours of Gorgianeh were coded messages.
Baroness Foster was one such person who had shared her thoughts on the mascot and Gorgianeh's outfit and on March 6, 2024, she issued a lengthy statement regarding her remarks.
The Tory peer wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "Following my public apology on X on 30 November 2023 and my private apology by personal letter on 1 December 2023, I wish to apologise to Ms Gorgianeh for my part in posts made about her on X on the 20 November 2023 following the airing of @BBC’s University Challenge programme.
University Challenge: The blue octopus mascot sparked uproar
BBC
"I wrongly alleged that Ms Gorgianeh chose one of the most disgusting antisemitic symbols, a blue octopus as her team’s mascot which I held her responsible for.
"I accept that these allegations were completely false and unfounded. I made a grave mistake in making those posts and I should not have done so.
"I again deeply apologise to Ms Gorgianeh for these allegations and any distress caused to her. We have since reached an amicable resolution.
"I do hope this goes some way in mitigating what has been a most distressing time for her. I have agreed to pay her substantial damages and costs."
“Following my public apology on X on 30 November 2023 and my private apology by personal letter on 1 December 2023, I wish to apologise to Ms Gorgianeh for my part in posts made about her on X on the 20 November 2023 following the airing of @BBC’s University Challenge programme.…
— Baroness Foster DBE #FreeTheHostages🇮🇱❤️ (@jfoster2019) March 6, 2024
In response to the online debate surrounding the episode back in November, the BBC issued a statement stressing the instalment was filmed months before Hamas' October 7 attacks against Israel.
It stressed that the octopus was used as a mascot as it was one of the contestants' favourite animals while Gorgianeh's ensemble did not resemble the colours of any flag.
A BBC spokesperson said at the time: "We are aware of a number of inaccurate claims being made online in relation to last night’s episode of University Challenge and we utterly condemn the abuse that has been posted and shared.
"For the avoidance of doubt, this episode was filmed in March. The mascot is one of many chosen by the team during the course of the series and is one of their favourite animals.
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BBC University Challenge stressed the episode was filmed months before the October 7 attacks by Hamas
BBC
"The jacket worn by one of the contestants was navy blue, orange, pink and green, bought from a High Street retailer.
"It has no connection to any flag."