UK historian criticizes effort to select popular documentary series host by gender

Article here. Excerpt:

'Leading British historian and writer David Starkey has slammed the idea that the BBC should appoint a female host for the remake of the hit documentary 'Civilisation'. Starkey called the moves "preposterous" as they have been based on a quota notion, rather than who would be best suited to do the job.

Starkey hit out at the idea in the Sunday Times, claiming “...just because someone is a woman they will have something interesting to say is preposterous”.

A campaign by female celebrities has called for Prof. Mary Beard to host the show, and feminist activists and celebrities have backed the idea that “would ensure [Civilisation] won’t just be about history but also herstory”.
...
“Feminism has got its knickers in a terrible twist. Are feminists claiming that women can compete on every level with men in every sphere — or are they now putting this different argument, which is that women bring different qualities to bear?"

“You can’t keep shifting between these two arguments, which are mutually contradictory. It’s a terrible muddle.”'