BBC journalist John Simpson is facing a backlash after branding deposed Syrian dictator Bashar Assad as “weak rather than wicked”.
The corporation’s world affairs editor made the comment on X after the overthrow of the Syrian leader over the weekend.
Writing on X, Mr Simpson said: “Bashar al-Assad has done many evil things, but he’s weak rather than wicked.
“His family members, Iran and especially Russia told him what to do, and he feebly did it.
“In person, I found him meek and anxious to please — the reverse of the traditional dictator.”
But critics including former Tory minister Robert Halfon and broadcaster Piers Morgan criticised Mr Simpson’s tweet.
Mr Halfon said: “This is a disgraceful tweet… Assad is the dictator who imprisoned thousands and massacred many many more of his own people using chemical weapons.”
Mr Morgan added: “Try telling the people he tortured, murdered and unleashed chemical weapons on, that he isn’t wicked…”
Conservative commentator Tim Montgomerie said: “Shame on you Mr Simpson, shame on you.”
LBC host Iain Dale added: “Oh dear.”
Ex-Tory MP Tim Loughton said Mr Simpson “has a point, albeit badly made”.
He said: “Having met Assad, a most unlikely softly spoken tyrant, more so his JP Morgan banker wife, John has a point, albeit badly made.
“Never clear who really ran the country but appalling crimes against humanity happened on his watch, which he never left, and that wickedness is on him.”
Responding to the outrage, Mr Simpson said: “I’m not defending Assad, I’m trying to explain the precise nature of his crimes.”
It comes as Mr Assad has been granted asylum by Russia after a coalition of rebels seized control of the capital Damascus in a lightning offensive overnight on Sunday.
Syrians are celebrating the demise of Assad government, after 13 years of civil war sparked by the president’s violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters following the Arab Spring.
The BBC was contacted for comment.
