BBC’s North America editor has sparked fury after calling Charlie Kirk ‘far-right’ during a televised covering of the political activist’s funeral.
The late conservative activist, 31, was fatally shot on September 10 while debating students at the Utah Valley University college campus.
During a televised tribute from Kirk’s memorial service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, Sarah Smith remarked: ‘Mr. Kirk amassed a large and passionate audience for his strongly conservative views and his willingness to engage in debates with those who disagreed with him’.
This comment triggered a backlash on social media, with users criticizing the news channel’s portrayal, labeling it ‘disgraceful’ and questioning ‘what criteria of far-right @BBCsarahsmith is employing in this instance’.
Previously, an article co-authored by Smith on the BBC News website covered the memorial event, describing Kirk as ‘conservative’ without using the term ‘far-right’.
Taking to X, political commentator Nicholas Lissack called out the BBC while sharing a clip of Smith’s broadcast.
He commented in a post: ‘The BBC has once again exposed its biases. North America Editor Sarah Smith, the daughter of former Labour leader John Smith, has unjustly labeled Charlie Kirk as “far-right” while reporting on his funeral’.
‘The BBC is pure leftist propaganda. End the licence fee’.
BBC North America editor Sarah Smith called Charlie Kirk ‘far-right’ during coverage of the conservative activist’s funeral
The State Farm Stadium in Arizona reached capacity hours before the start of the memorial service on Sunday
Trump said Kirk was a confidante he could often turn to before major events or policy announcements
Daily Mail has approached BBC for comment.
Kirk’s memorial service was held at the Arizona stadium on Sunday which saw tens of thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects.
More than 200,000 mourners lined up before the sun rose to try to get into the arena, the home to the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals.
But thousands were turned away as both the stadium and the overflow venue next door reached capacity hours before the start.
US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and various cabinet members joined Kirk’s widow Erika in delivering heartfelt tributes to the MAGA figure, while also denouncing his assailant and the inflammatory discourse many hold responsible for the incident.
Erika had stunned the crowd by publicly offering forgiveness to her husband’s killer, Tyler Robinson, 22.
‘He [Charlie] wanted to save young men just like the one who took his life,’ Erika said, sparking roars from the crowd and a standing ovation.
‘That man, that young man, I forgive him.’
With tears flowing, she commended Americans for turning to faith for the first time in many years following her husband’s passing and dramatically disclosed that her husband ‘accepted his fate’.
But during his fiery 45-minute eulogy to the late activist, Trump apologised to Erika or refusing to join her call to forgive the man who assassinated her husband in cold blood.
‘He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them,’ Trump said of Kirk.
‘That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them.
‘I’m sorry. I am sorry, Erika, but now Erika can talk to me, and the whole group, and maybe they can convince me that that’s not right, but I can’t stand my opponent.’
Erika also gave thanks to Second Lady Usha Vance for comforting her in the moments following Kirk’s murder.
Vice President JD Vance had transported Kirk’s casket, along with Erika and their two young children, on board Air Force Two on September 11 – one day after Kirk was assassinated.
In emotional images, the grief-stricken Erika could be seen stepping off the plane hand in hand with Usha. The widow kept her head low and sunglasses on while the Second Lady guided her.
‘[Usha] told me, you will get through these 15 minutes and the next 15 minutes after that,’ she recalled.
‘Usha, I don’t think you realised it then, but those words were exactly what I needed to hear.’
Erika went on to claim Charlie wanted to save ‘the lost boys of the west’ by encouraging them all to experience marriage and build a family.
‘When he spoke to young people, he was always eager to tell them about God’s vision for marriage,’ she added.
‘And how, if they could just dare to live it out, it would enrich every part of their life, just as it enriched ours.’
The new Turning Point USA CEO was met with a standing ovation, with shouts of ‘we love you’ upon entering the State Farm Stadium.
Tyler Robinson was arrested two days after the assassination and has been charged with capital murder.
Prosecutors and the Trump administration are pushing for him to receive the death penalty in a state that uses the firing squad in executions.
But in an interview with The New York Times published hours before the memorial, Erika said she wants no part in the decision making process for the fate of her husband’s killer.
‘I’ve had people ask, “Do you feel anger toward this man? Like, do you want to seek the death penalty?” I’ll be honest. I told our lawyer, I want the government to decide this,’ Erika said.
Kirk was recognised as a fearless Christian and conservative by the high powered speakers at his public memorial on Sunday.
Trump said he was a confidante he could often turn to before major events or policy announcements.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested two days after he allegedly opened fire during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University
He also credited Kirk for introducing him to Vice President J.D. Vance and for being an integral part of the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) movement.
‘Charles James Kirk was heinously murdered by a radicalised leftist for speaking the truth that was in his heart,’ the president said.
‘He was violently killed because he spoke for freedom and justice, for God, touched for reason and for common sense. He was assassinated because he lived bravely.
‘He lived boldly, and he argued brilliantly without apology. He did what was right for our nation.
‘Charlie’s murder was not just an attack on one man or one movement, it was an attack on our entire nation.’
Vance, who credits Kirk for his political rise through the ranks and the success of the Trump administration, told the gathered crowd that his friend was a ‘martyr.’
‘We must remember that he is a hero to the United States of America. And he is a martyr for the Christian faith,’ he said.
‘I have talked more about Jesus Christ the past two weeks than I have my entire time in public office.
‘Our whole administration is here, but not just because we love Charlie as a friend, even though we did, but because we know we wouldn’t be here without him. Charlie built an organization that reshaped the balance of our politics.’
