Morton "appalled" by BBC Gaza snub

Actress Samantha Morton has blasted the BBC for choosing not to broadcast an emergency appeal to help war-torn Gaza.

The 31-year-old Oscar nominee is furious that BBC director general Mark Thompson has declined to air the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal on the grounds that it could jeopardise the broadcaster's impartial coverage of the conflict.

Morton, who has appeared in Longford and Elizabeth: The Golden Age, told PA that she will not work for the BBC again unless it shows the appeal.

She said: "I'm shocked and appalled. I've worked for the BBC since I was a small child. As a public service they've got it very wrong. I'm not as articulate about this as I would like to be because I'm so appalled. I will never work for the BBC again unless they change their mind."

Morton continued: "It's very, very wrong. It's not a political message. It's about raising money for children who are dying.

"I'm proud to have worked for the BBC; I'm proud to be British; I'm proud we even have the BBC. But I need them to explain this decision. I reserve the right never to work for that company again if I feel that I'm too embarrassed to support them or earn money from them."