From Star Wars to Newsnight? BBC admits pro-Brexit pastor is also paid actor (VIDEO)
The BBC has come under fire after a Brexit-backing pastor who staunchly defended Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal on Monday’s Newsnight program was revealed to also be a paid actor.
Lynn, also known as Marina, Hayter, dressed in full dog-collar garb, urged viewers to “have faith in the government” while being rather deferential to the assembled politicians. “They know far more about what’s going on than we do," Hayter said, as she gestured towards the participating MPs.
"The reason they are sitting there is that they know far more about what's going on then we do. I've been a Conservative all my life and I back Prime Minister May."Lynn is sold on the government's Brexit plan#newsnight | @maitlis | @nadhimzahawipic.twitter.com/cP2gMearTv
— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) November 26, 2018
Hayter belongs to a tiny organization called the Seeds for Wealth Ministries, which boasts 77 followers on Facebook at time of writing.
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The ministry is closer to US evangelical churches than the Anglican tradition and promises to “help you realise, release and walk into your financial freedom in Christ.”
Eagle-eyed viewers thought they recognized Hayter but couldn’t quite put their finger on it at first; and then came the deluge of outrage on Twitter once she was discovered to also work as an actor.
If I wear a dog collar & call myself a pastor, can I get on @BBCr4today ?
— Andrew Adonis (@Andrew_Adonis) November 29, 2018
“Reverend Lynn” is in fact Marina Hayter. She has played numerous roles including Peasant Woman, quizzical librarian and shocked neighbour but no vicars until her starring role as Brexit deal fan girl on #Newsnight. #BBC#BrexitAgreementpic.twitter.com/vqMT1Ams3B
— Antonia Frances (@antoniafrances) November 29, 2018
Lies lies lies.She is a paid actor. It is her job. She is not an ordained pastor - she is a right-wing, Trump supporting fantasist who calls herself a pastor.Using an actor posing as a member of the public to support the government is a RESIGNING matter.
— Tom Pride (@ThomasPride) November 29, 2018
According to her online CV, Hayter has appeared as an extra in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (bartender), Wonder Woman (market stall holder), King Arthur (villager), Bourne (executive business woman) and even reaching the illustrious heights of Eastenders as a 'drunkard.'
The torrent of scrutiny and outrage forced the BBC to respond publicly.
Claims that Lynn appeared on #newsnight as a paid actor are false. Lynn is a pastor and was a genuine participant of our Brexit debate. She carries out work as an extra using her middle name but this is not relevant to the capacity in which she appeared. #VicarGate
— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) November 29, 2018
You do realise how this kind of thing undermines trust in the BBC though, don't you?It begs further questions surrounding the selection of participants.Who does selection?On which criteria?Are they 'vetted'?Are they truly representative of public opinion?etc.#Vicargate
— Simon Goretti #FilthyRemainer (@GorettiSimon) November 29, 2018
@BBCNewsnight when you’re in a hole, the best strategy is to stop digging. If you make an honest statement about this now it will be less painful than if you continue to try and bluster it out.
— Neil Maybin (@NeilMaybin) November 29, 2018
She's been spotted in three shows so far and your response is just dissembling. How did you select the panel, why has she made multiple appearances and why was she not more thoroughly introduced? If you want Newsnight to keep any shred of respectability you need to investigate
— William Lees #FBPE (@WilliamDLees) November 29, 2018
BBC readies Theresa May for their televised Brexit debate #VicarGate#Actorpic.twitter.com/WpzDy0cZO9
— 𝕯𝖆𝖓𝖓𝖞 (@DanielCookney) November 29, 2018
Others felt people were losing the run of themselves and reminded the baying mob that preachers can seek gainful employment elsewhere at the same time as delivering ‘the good word.’
However, just a little more searching shows she's just a woman, who happens to be a Christian, who happens to back May's deal and also happens to do some acting work.
— Adam Bienkov (@AdamBienkov) November 29, 2018
While many questioned Hayter’s credentials as a pastor, her political beliefs seem to be both genuinely held and staunchly conservative, given her support for Theresa May.
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