BBC blasted for allowing infamous TikToker Mizzy to rant on Newsnight

The BBC came under renewed criticism last night when its Newsnight programme gave a platform to the notorious TikTok prankster Mizzy.

The 18-year-old who has been wearing a tag following his release on bail from HMP Thameside over alleged breaches of a criminal behaviour order, appeared on the current affairs show to talk about the hold social media “bad boy” and mysoginist Andrew Tate still appeared to have on teenage boys.

Tate, the British-American media personality and “toxic influencer” who promotes misogyny, had earlier given the BBC an interview from Romania where he is under house arrest on suspicion of human trafficking offences, rape and organised crime.

The former kickboxer told the BBC in that interview that he had never encouraged people to mistreat females. “I have never ever encouraged a student to attack a teacher, male or female ever,” he said. “I preach hard work, discipline. I’m an athlete. I preach anti-drugs, I preach religion, I preach no alcohol, I preach no knife crime. Every single problem with modern society I’m against.”

Mizzy, who was fined for entering someone’s home for a prank he recorded on video, and was also involved in other “pranks” such as knocking a man into a road, running off with an elderly woman’s dog (he returned it later), and asking a man on a railway platform if he wanted to die, was invited by presenter Kirsty Wark to talk about his connection with the brothers Andrew and Tristram Tate and also to apologise for his own “pranks”.

Leaning back in his chair and putting up his feet, Mizzy, real name Bacari-Bronze O’Garro, said: “I do apologise. I took accountability for my actions, I went next day and apologised to the woman also the media.”

READ MORE: Idiot TikTok prankster who clashed with Piers Morgan ‘arrested’ again

But then he launched into a rant about the BBC and the mainstream media. “You guys need to realise I went there for a reason, I planted a seed… Every day of my life I’ve been doing social media and I’m just reporting my experiences. People are watching my journey right now.”

He was asked by Wark if he would change now, despite being able to make more money as a prankster “doing the hateful stuff”.

Mizzy claimed he had never called himself a prankster. He said: “I don’t need to do pranks no more. I’m established as a prankster, you guys call me a prankster, I’ve never once said I am a prankster – the media paints a picture in your brain and this is what Andrew Tate was trying to show you guys, innit.

“When I was at the lowest point of my time when everyone was trying to counsel me, draw me out, Tristan Tate, he popped up to me and was like, the way you’re going I can see potential… but the way you are going about it that is wrong.”

He added that he did not go along with Tate’s hate speak. “Course I don’t go along with that – I don’t look up to Andrew Tate. He’s not a role model. I am my own person and I don’t look up to nobody.”

Although he said he was not condoning what Tate was saying he was pushed by Wark to criticise the words Tate had used, but he refused to do so. “That doesn’t matter to me,” he said. “I’m not here to report Andrew Tate. I’m not here to make money out of Andrew Tate. That’s what you’re doing. Realistically, that’s what you’re doing.”

When Wark interrupted him with a firm “No”, he shot back “No but no but”. It mirrored some of his behaviour in an earier interview with Piers Morgan on his Uncensored show, which went viral on TikTok.

On Newsnight, Mizzy refuted the claim that he was aligning himself with the Tates and said that Mizzy was a character of his own invention. “Mizzy and Bacari are two different people. Mizzy is an online persona,” he insisted.

Asked what was the appeal of Tate to him and teenage boys, he replied: “His confidence, his stride and the way he talks and carries himself.”

But he added: “I respect women. I was raised by my mum. I’m not supporting what he says about women in any way.”

He then accused the BBC of giving Tate a platform, adding that it was even giving him (Mizzy) a platform. “Everything I’m doing is bad apaprently, is what you’re saying. I’m on BBC news, I mean, come on. You are playing the game. You’re playing the game and it’s all the system.”

He then leaned across to Wark’s glass of water and grabbed it, saying: “Is this your water? It’s my water now,” before taking a few gulps.

He went on to accuse the BBC of dwelling on this subject rather than the “bigger things to worry about” like world hunger and strikes. “What is this right now?” he ranted. “I’m someone from the hood. I’m an 18-year-old boy, I have a child. I’m from the hood. I’m just here. I’m actually living my life.”

Wark twice broke away to talk to another guest on the programme, Laura Bates, the author on feminist issues and sexism, but she hardly got a word in edgeways, at one point being interrupted by Mizzy.

The extraordinary interview drew masses of complaints on social media — mainly aimed at the BBC rather than at the teenager.

On Twitter one user said: “He really needed to learn some respect. Interesting also seeing him over reach so obviously with his ‘confidence.’ He really needed to listen to the great Laura Bates and respect Kirsty too!”

User Sarah said: “Why? Why? We’re giving MSM platforms to criminals? To speak about other criminals? What’s the game here?” A commentator called Swanny Al said: “The producer who greenlit this is a disgrace.”

And @ShelaghL01 stated: “Why is that criminal thug being rewarded with air time on the bbc. A new low for Newsnight. He’s being rewarded for his appalling behaviour. Disgusting.”

@BethWasOnly said: “How much did Kirsty want to tell him to be quiet and let the grown ups talk? I really admire her restraint.”