The BBC has defended an interview with a controversial TikTok prankster who posted a series of videos that appear to show him harassing Jews.
Mizzy, 18, whose real name is Bacari-Bronze O’Garro, sneaked up behind a young Charedi man as he waits at a bus stop in one video.
He then jumps into the air, places his hands on his victim’s shoulders and then attempts to leapfrog over him.
In another video, he can be seen cycling while wearing a hoiche hat and saying: “Guys I’m a f**king Jew.” In a later video posted to YouTube, O'Garro claims he was held by police for 36 hours “for a TikTok”.
During the clip, the teen walks around Stamford Hill, initiates conversations with strangers and repeatedly insists he is not an antisemite. He was arrested for assualt in connection with one of these incidents but never charged by police.
Bacari-Bronze O'Garro also appeared on TalkTV with Piers Morgan (Photo: TalkTV)
Last week, the prankster was issued with a two-year criminal behaviour order for entering a stranger's home. However, he was arrested again just two days later on suspicion of breaching it.
The 18-year-old appeared on BBC Newsnight fitted with a prison tag after his release on bail over alleged breaches of criminal behaviour to discuss his controversial actions over the last few months.
In a bizarre interview with host Kirsty Wark, he thanked the BBC for making him an “established prankster” and revealed the Tate brothers had been in touch to help guide his social media career.
Defending his actions, he said: “I’m just an 18-year-old boy, I have a child, I’m from the hood, I’m just living my life at the end of the day.”
He added: “I don't need to do pranks anymore. I'm established as a prankster - you guys call me a prankster.”
A BBC spokesperson robustly defended the interview of O'Garro and told the JC: “Kirsty Wark interjected and challenged Bacari-Ogarro O’Garri (Mizzy) on a number of points, including his criminal activity and we are confident that he was robustly challenged throughout the conversation.
But critics said the broadcaster should not have given him a platform given his behaviour.
Sunder Katwala, director of think tank British Future, which aims to promote inclusivity, said: "This Mizzy character simply would not be on any TV news shows except for his undertaking criminal intimidation of women & others, then publicising it online as if a great jape. "I don't think any news channel should reward or incentivise that. The BBC should be the last to do so."
Samuel Kasumu, who is seeking the Tory nomination to run for mayor of London, added: “Mizzy is a young man who clearly has some challenges. I'm guessing Newsnight's choice of guests last night was because they also have challenges, primarily their viewing figures.”
