BBC presenter called a ‘P***’ on the streets of her home town as cops probe alarming spike in racist incidents in days since Brexit vote
Journalist Sima Kotecha says she is 'in utter shock' after disgusting episode in Basingstoke, Hampshire
A BBC presenter has revealed how she was racially abused on the streets of her own home town.
Sima Kotecha, 36, told how she was called a “p***” as she walked down the road in Basingstoke, Hampshire.
The journalist – who works as a reporter on BBC Radio 4's Today programme and a presenter on BBC One's 8pm news bulletin – tweeted about the incident today.
She wrote: “In utter shock: just been called p**i in my home town! Haven't heard that word here since the 80s!”
The presenter received a string of supportive messages on social media after the post, which she wrote at around 1.30pm this afternoon.
One Twitter user wrote: “I'm so ashamed @sima_kotecha that our country (yours, mine, everyone's) has descended to this. Very sorry to hear, Sima. Shocking.”
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Former Sunderland manager Peter Reid tweeted her saying: “Outrageous , there's more love in our country than a few mindless idiots. X”
And Labour MP for Dewsbury Paula Sherriff replied: “Absolutely shocking. Heard of a number of similar incidents near me.
“I am truly so sorry, Sima Kotecha – will do what I can.”
Kotecha – who began her BBC career with Radio Berkshire before eventually working on Radio 1's Newsbeat – later returned to thank people for the messages of support.
She said: “Wow really touched by the outpouring of support – THANK YOU x”, later adding: “Your messages make me SO proud to be British.”
The incident happened as reports of racism have skyrocketed following the victory of the Leave camp in the Brexit referendum.
True Vision said examples of hate crimes had increased by 57 per cent over the last few days, and the PM today condemned the trend.
David Cameron’s official spokeswoman said he told the Cabinet they “should be absolutely clear that this Government will not tolerate intolerance, condemning some of the incidents we have seen across the country over the weekend of intimidating migrants and telling them that they need to go home”.
She added: “We are absolutely clear of the need to reassure communities across Britain.”
Meanwhile, the Labour Mayor of London Sadiq Khan urged Scotland Yard to be “extra vigilant” after a number of incidents were reported in the capital.
He said: “It’s really important we stand guard against any rise in hate crimes or abuse by those who might use last week’s referendum as cover to seek to divide us.”
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