An apology has been demanded from the BBC by the Bruges Group after the think-tank said a Christmas radio programme compared Brexit voters to the Biblical crowd calling for Jesus to be crucified.
The Bruges Group said writer Howard Jacobson drew the analogy in the Radio 4 show A Point Of View as he discussed why the word of the year should be "people" as it featured in the keynote phrase "the will of the people" associated with the Brexit win and Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election.
Mr Jacobson told listeners: "On a seasonal note, it is worth remembering that Pontius Pilate offered the multitude a mini-referendum.
"They could have one prisoner released and another crucified. In their wisdom, the people chose the common criminal Barabbas to be released, leaving Jesus to be crucified."
The Bruges Group's Jack Soames said: "At a time when millions of people are celebrating the festival of the birth of Jesus, it seems entirely inappropriate - crass even - for the BBC to be permitting his crucifixion to be used to make a political point.
"Apart from being tasteless, the comparison is also a smear on the 17.4 million people who legitimately voted for the UK to leave the European Union.
"The BBC and Howard Jacobson should both publicly apologise for the unjustified offence they have caused and for their poor judgement during this season of goodwill."
A BBC spokeswoman told the Press Association: "A Point Of View is a reflection on a topical issue from a different contributor each week and often presented in a satirical tone."
Press Association
