BBC presenter Mishal Husain has said shes never experienced racism as much as in the past year, that its been hard and she feels shaken.
Husain spoke out at an awards ceremony this week explaining how the summer riots had made her question her beliefs about Britain.
Speaking at the Charles Wheeler event, the BBC Today presenter said: This year I think I have felt racism in a way that I probably havent at any point in my career before and thats in this country.
That has been hard, and thats given me pause.
Ms Husain recalled an interview she gave when starting out on the Today programme, in which she spoke about how she felt Britain was probably the only country in Europe where it was possible for her to have reached that point in her career with a very obviously Muslim name.
Mishal Husain from the BBC acting as moderator for the Airport Operators Association conference in London 2019. Husain spoke out at an awards ceremony this week explaining how the summer riots had made her question her beliefs about Britain
Police officers in riot gear face up to an anti-immigration protest in Middlesbrough next to a burning bin amid the summer riots
Ms Husain, who was born in Britain to Pakistani parents, and began presenting the Today programme in 2013, received an award for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcast Journalism
She added: But I kind of always felt that the UK was way ahead of so many other countries on that and I dont feel as sure of that today, especially after this summer, than I have done in the past.
Ms Husain, who was born in Britain to Pakistani parents, and began presenting the Today programme in 2013, received an award for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcast Journalism.
Following receipt of the accolade, the presenter said she was conscious that compared to other British Muslims she is incredibly privileged.
She said: Many of them are living in the most deprived postcodes in the country, so my life is very different from people with whom I share that aspect of my identity, the way that most live.
But if were not honest about the way that those things do affect us at times then I think, you know, theres a, well, its just a lack of honesty.
She added that you do need to toughen up and accept what goes with the territory to some extent but said there are also times when she has felt shaken.
Ive been able to pull myself back together, but I think theres a hard climate personally around, she concluded.
Among Husains recent notable appearances are her selection as chair for two televised debates on the BBC in June this year in the run-up to the general election.
There was even some speculation that the 51-year-old might rival Clive Myrie for lead anchor for the channel following the departure of Huw Edwards.
In a Q&A event at the award ceremony, Ms Husain also spoke about ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Palestinians searching for victims following an Israeli strike in which nearly 100 people died, prompting disagreement about the figures between Husain and an Israeli government spokesman amid claims the IDF had killed women and children in a raid on a school
David Mencer attacked the Today programme presenter when she questioned him over claims the IDF had killed women and children in a raid on a school
She said: When youre in quite a combative moment, you have to hold your nerve.
And the only way, the only thing that gives me courage to hold my nerve is when Im sure enough of my facts, and in the context of the conflict in Gaza at the moment that is made more difficult by not having the access that is normally the case.
In August this year the BBC defended Husain after she was accused of being pro-Palestinian reporter of the year on air by an Israeli government spokesman.
David Mencer attacked the Today programme presenter when she questioned him over claims the IDF had killed women and children in a raid on a school.
Earlier this year an Israeli government spokesman, David Mencer, accused Ms Husain of pro-Palestinian bias during an interview on Radio 4.
Mencer raged that Husain would win the award for most pro-Palestinian reporter as she was blindly repeating what terrorist organisations... feed you.
A BBC spokesman said: As the listener could hear, Mishal Husain was asking legitimate and important questions in a professional, fair and courteous manner.