More than 40 black and ethnic minority British media and entertainment figures have signed an open letter condemning the BBC’s decision to uphold a complaint against Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty.

Signatories to the letter, who include the writer Afua Hirsch, Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy and entertainer Lenny Henry, say the BBC’s position is “illegal” and “deeply flawed”.

The BBC has said it believes the letter is “based on a misunderstanding of the editorial guidelines and how they apply”.