BBC weather presenter is taken off air after she ‘attended two Piers Corbyn anti-lockdown marches
BBC weather presenter is taken off air after she ‘attended two Piers Corbyn anti-lockdown marches and called corporation ‘the devil’ on WhatsApp group for Covid deniers’
- Jemma Cooper is known for being the weather presenter on Points West
- But she has been seen on anti-lockdown marches in the UK with Piers Corbyn
- Colleagues have been told she will not be back in the office until ‘further notice’
- BBC told MailOnline impartiality breaches are dealt with ‘swiftly and seriously’
A BBC weather presenter said to have attended two anti-lockdown marches led by Piers Corbyn has been taken off air.
Regional TV talent Jemma Cooper is best known for her regular appearances on Bristol’s Points West programme.
But it is alleged she put in a Covid-denial group the BBC was ‘the devil’ and appears to be in footage of an anti-lockdown march, where Piers Corbyn appears.
Today the broadcaster was forced to restate impartiality guidelines had to be strictly followed and any breach would be dealt with.
Weather presenter Jemma Cooper in Portishead turning on the Christmas lights in 2011
Jemma Cooper presenting the weather on BBC breakfast from Bristol where she worked
But a whistleblower, speaking to the Bristol Post, said Ms Cooper returned to the Points West newsroom after attending a Birmingham demonstration.
The insider said: ‘Jemma had arguments with colleagues who felt she was putting people in danger by going out to these events.
‘She said she was adamant Covid is not a real thing. One employee was left in tears by the conversation.
‘It has become a thing in the newsroom which we call “Where’s Wally”.
Jemma Cooper, seen here back in 2007, was said to have argued with colleagues over Covid
Miss Cooper appears to be second from left in this screengrab of footage from Birmingham
‘People find Twitter videos of lockdown protests and look for Jemma.’
The broadcaster has said Ms Cooper is still employed by the channel.
She has been off air for three months, but is said to have been helping with news stories.
Youtube footage she is said to appear in, shows a woman matching her likeness nodding at Corbyn.
An email sent to staff at Points West on November 5 said the presenter would not be coming in until they were advised differently.
It read: ‘Dear all, I want to let you know that Jemma Cooper has had to be called away from the office unexpectedly until further notice.’
Last month it was said that she confirmed her identity in an anti-lockdown group called Stand Up Bristol.
She replied: ‘Yes alas I work for the devil at the moment.
‘I joined the corporation in 1999 when I was 28 and fully asleep. Comatose.’
The BBC told MailOnline: ‘Impartiality is the cornerstone of the BBC so we have strict guidelines all staff are expected to follow. Any breach is dealt with swiftly and seriously.’
