Jamal Khashoggi: ITV boss forced to apologise for dressing up as journalist’s executioner for Halloween
An ITV commissioning editor has apologised for attending a Halloween party dressed as the Saudi executioner of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Asif Zubairy, 57, turned up at Jonathan Ross’s annual gathering wearing bloodstained robes and a keffiyeh headscarf, carrying a severed hand.
The TV executive’s “shocking” costume was widely criticised and comes as the investigation into Khashoggi’s death continues to uncover gruesome details of the journalist’s final moments at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Mr Zubairy, commissioning editor in ITV’s entertainment team, expressed some remorse. But he insisted Mr Ross’s showbiz party on Wednesday was a “private” gathering.
“I’m a private individual who attended a private party,” he told The Daily Mail. “I realise my Halloween costume may have offended some people, for which I apologise.”
Mr Ross’ Halloween celebration has become a prominent event for those in the TV industry – attendees are accustomed to being photographed before entering the talk show host’s north London home.
Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Christine Jardine questioned Mr Zubairy’s judgement.
“I’m astonished at this appalling lack of sensitivity to a horrific murder which has raised serious questions over Britain’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. It’s a lapse in judgement.”
Sir Alistair Graham, the former chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, said he was “shocked” at the senior executive’s breach of taste.
“It’s truly shocking that someone of his experience had such a crass understanding of what was acceptable.”
“ITV must be shocked about the damage to their reputation that such a senior person has behaved in such an inappropriate way.”
Mr Zubairy commissions part of the network’s comedy and entertainment output, including The Royal Variety Performance 2018.
An ITV spokesperson confirmed their executive had apologised in a personal capacity and the company had no comment to make on his decision to wear the controversial costume.
