Channel 4 Distances Itself From Tweets Branding European Jews “Lying Scumbags” Posted By Contestant On New Reality Series ‘Go Back To Where You Came From’

EXCLUSIVE: Channel 4 has distanced itself from tweets posted by a contestant in new reality series Go Back To Where You Came From, which include branding European Jews “the biggest charlatans on this planet” and a “bunch of lying scumbags.”

The controversial new series, which airs Monday and has attracted criticism from human rights groups, sees six contestants of vastly different political views and backgrounds travel across a dangerous migrant crossing route.

Bushra Shaikh‘s tweets, all of which were posted in the past few months and none of which have been taken down, were unearthed by the Campaign Against Antisemitism, which challenged Channel 4 for allowing her to be on the program.

The tweets include branding European Jews “the biggest charlatans on this planet” and a “bunch of lying scumbags.” Another reads: “Anyone else questioning everything you were told about Jewish history…” A third posts a screenshot of a Piers Morgan Uncensored show featuring Dan Bilzerian and questions why Jews are “so protected.”

Shaikh is a broadcaster and journalist who has previously appeared on the BBC, ITV and GB News. In the show’s program notes, Shaikh says she “learned that there’s a lot of ignorance in the world, most of which stems from lack of education and resources” when questioned over what she learned on the show. We’ve reached out to her for comment on the tweets.

“Go Back to Where You Came From explores how people with strong views on immigration respond when faced with the realities of migrant journeys to Britain,” a Channel 4 spokeswoman said. “Within the programme, all strong views expressed by contributors are challenged. Outside of the programme, the responsibility for social media posts lies with the individual.”

The spokeswoman added that the show is compliant with regulator Ofcom’s code and features “contributors from across society who have many different views”. “Including members of the public in our programmes does not mean Channel 4 endorses whatever those views are,” she added.

The issues the tweets have thrown up are perhaps unsurprising given the show’s subject matter. Reviewers who have already watched the Minnow Films-produced series quote another contestant who states migrants are “like rats.”

The show, which is based on an Australian format, is described as a “bold and timely four-part series [that] will set out to challenge how British people feel about asylum seekers and immigration” by Channel 4.

Channel 4 has vehemently defended Go Back To Where You Came From over the past few months and repeatedly pointed out that the original Australian version became part of the national curriculum. But the likes of Amnesty International have criticized Go Back To Where You Came From, saying its title lacks sensitivity and that the show fails in its bid to educate.

Channel 4 is no stranger to this sort of criticism, having generated headlines for shows in the past such as Benefits Street and The British Tribe Next Door.