Ex-NHS doctor who stars in next series of The Apprentice is given diversity and inclusion training by the BBC over string of 'anti-Semitic' posts on social media
A former NHS doctor who stars on the next series of The Apprentice has been given diversity and inclusion training by the BBC after a string of 'anti-Semitic' posts on social media.
Dr Asif Munaf, who now owns a wellness brand, wrote on X that Zionists are a 'godless, satanic cult' who look 'odiously ogre-like', and said he hoped his children were 'strong enough' to 'overcome the trial of the Zionist antichrist'.
The former medic, who lives in Sheffield, is one of the contestants in the 18th series of the BBC One show, which begins on Thursday.
A spokesman for The Apprentice said: 'After filming had taken place, we were made aware of concerns over social media posts that Asif had made after he had left the process.
'As soon as we were alerted, we took immediate action and spoke to Asif in detail on this. Asif took part in specialised training to understand why his posts may cause offence. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment on and off screen.'
Dr Asif Munaf, who now owns a wellness brand, wrote on X that Zionists are a 'godless, satanic cult' who look 'odiously ogre-like'
The doctor, from Sheffield, will be among the 18 hopefuls on the 2024 series trying to secure funding from Lord Alan Sugar for their business ventures
A source said the contestant would not have been allowed on the show had his posts emerged before filming took place.
Dr Munaf said in a statement: 'I apologise for any offence caused by my online content/social media. It was not my intention to offend anyone, and I am of course open to all views.
'The beliefs I hold and have shared are based on the values that I was brought up with.'
At least three of the tweets remain online.
In one, sent on October 19, he wrote: 'My sons have been alive during a once-in-a-century pandemic and an apocalyptic genocide during their first five years on earth.
'I pray they are strong enough physically, spiritually & psychologically to overcome the trial of the Zionist antichrist. Hard times create strong men.'
Dr Munaf, who boasts of his 'extremely high IQ' and good looks, has made several derogatory comments about women, and asked in one online video: 'Have you ever met a beautiful feminist?'
On December 20, in another comment regarding the Israel-Hamas war, he wrote: 'Since the genocide began, Muslim Zionists have crawled from under their rocks. I knew of a few before the current ethnic cleansing.
'By [sic] the sheer volume is staggering. Many are unsurprisingly from the Indian subcontinent Colonial inferiority complex. Hideous ogre-like creatures.'
Dr Munaf boasts of his 'extremely high IQ' and good looks
Dr Munaf asked 'have you ever met a beautiful feminist?' in a derogatory video and is said to have posted an Instagram clip titled 'Don't Trust What Women Say'
His offensive social media posts were first reported by Jewish News after he appeared on Dragons' Den.
He has also promoted an account on X called the University of Masculinity, which has previously retweeted a series of posts by misogynistic influencer Andrew Tate.
Tate, 37, his brother Tristan, 35, and two Romanian women - Luana Radu and Georgiana Naghel - were indicted in June for human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women - allegations they deny.
Asif appeared on Series 15 of Dragons' Den, where he pitched his smoothie company 'DATE Smoothie' and attempted to win a £50,000 investment for a 10 per cent stake.
But he was turned away by the dragons, who said his 'thinking was completely wrong in terms of his brand'.
After applying for The Apprentice, he described his rejection on Dragons' Den as his 'biggest business fail', adding: 'Was far too early but I learnt some great business insights from the Dragons.'
Asif described his biggest business success to date as 'launching a business whilst working 12-hour shifts as a doctor during Covid'.
The Apprentice's 18th series will air on Thursday, with 18 candidates vying for Lord Alan Sugar 's attentions and investments, alongside his advisors Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell MBE
He also boldly describes himself as 'Beauty, brains, body and business' on his CV, and hopes to win Lord Sugar over with his business plan focusing on vitamins and supplements.
'I've got an extremely high IQ. I've got an extremely high bench press. And to top it off, I'm quite good on the eyes,' he said.
'With my range of vitamins and supplements, I would make sure [Lord Sugar] is fit, sharp and firing for at least another 20 series!'
The Apprentice's 18th series is headed for screens on Thursday, with 18 candidates vying for Lord Alan Sugar's attentions and investments, alongside his advisors Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell MBE.
The 2024 intake battling for the £250,000 investment and mentorship are as varied and bloodthirsty as ever, with the candidates ranging from a UK Garage artist to two pie company owners to a pharmacist to a yoga teacher.
Lord Sugar has previously spoken out against anti-Semitism in the past, but would not answer a question about Dr Munaf at the launch of The Apprentice on Tuesday.
