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| Mark Easton compared Anjem Choudary to Gandhi and Mandela |
Stunned viewers watched home affairs editor Mark Easton criticising the Government's plans to silence hate-mongers such as Choudary, who has refused to condemn the killing of Lee Rigby, by asking whether great historical figures would pass the proposed test.
The newsman carried on by saying extreme views were needed in order to "challenge very established values".
Speaking on BBC News at Ten last night, the home affairs editor went further and, following a news piece on Choudary, Mr Easton said: "It's one thing to ban someone for inciting hatred or violence, but quite another to pass a law that silences anyone who challenges established values.
"I was in Parliament Square today - a statue of Gandhi looking down at me who was jailed for being extremist; Mandela who was jailed for being an extremist.
"History tells us that extreme views are sometimes needed to challenge very established values that people at the time hold so dear."
Mr Easton's comments have provoked anger against the public service broadcaster.
There was also upset regarding the air-time given to Choudary on last night's news.
It is not the first time the BBC has been criticised for allowing the British-born extremist to promote himself. » | Rob Virtue | Thursday, May 14, 2015
