UK Edition
Veteran BBC presenter John Humphrys has been accused of xenophobia and sexism after an interview with British tennis star Johanna Konta.
Listeners to BBC’s Today Programme on Radio 4 were incensed to hear him question Ms Konta’s British citizenship after she made it to the semi-finals of Wimbledon.
The 26-year-old had to clarify that she had lived in the country for half of her life - and that she had represented Britain in the Olympics.
The presenter asked: “We talk about you as being British but you were born in Hungary, Australian citizenship, and I seem to remember that the Australian High Commissioner when you won the quarter-final said ‘Great to see an Aussie win’ and we were saying ‘Great to see a Brit win’ – so what are you?”
Ms Konta laughed incredulously before she replied: “I was actually born in Australia to Hungarian parents but I’ve lived here for half my life now almost and I’m a British citizen and I’m incredibly proud to represent Great Britain… I’ve represented Britain in the Olympics so I’m definitely a British athlete.”
Hundreds of people on Twitter sprang to defend the tennis star, who moved to Great Britain in 2005.
One user wrote: “John Humphries interviewing Konta – aggressive, sexist, patronising, inaccurate and xenophobic. How is this allowed BBC?!”
Another fumed: “What an appalling interview with Jo Konta by John Humphrys. Very impressed with how she kept her cool and calm.”
One listener asked the presenter to “grow up”, writing: “Note to John Humphrys: Johanna Konta isn’t a politician. She is a tennis player that brought joy to millions during Wimbledon. Grow up.”
Another suggested alternate employment for Mr Humphrys, writing: “John Humphrys was patronising to Johanna Konta....even saying: ‘Are you really a Brit then?’ ...he could work for passport control!”
The BBC has been contacted for comment.