Complaint
A viewer complained that the channel broadcast a statement by the leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage, without knowledge of what it would contain and with “no means to challenge any misleading statements made”. The ECU assessed the complaint in the light of the standards for due impartiality set out in the BBC Editorial Guidelines.
Outcome
The ECU considered it was not reasonable to expect BBC News to broadcast political statements only when it had foreknowledge of their contents as politicians sometimes made important statements without briefing correspondents in advance. In the hour following the statement the channel featured a number of commentators, some critical of Mr Farage’s decision, as it transpired, to stand down as the MP for Clacton and trigger a by-election. Responses by political parties took longer to materialise but were relayed to viewers via the presenter and a correspondent as soon as they were issued, ensuring due impartiality was maintained.
Not Upheld