Fiona Bruce’s blunt one-word reaction after Nigel Farage Question Time complaints. (Image: BBC)
has responded to criticism surrounding Nigel Farage’s appearances on BBC . To date, the Reform UK leader has been a panellist on the show 36 times since 2000, making him the ninth-highest appearance maker.
However, Fiona, 60, says there is a “common trope” that Farage has been on the show more times than any other politician.
She wrote for earlier this month: “There’s a really common trope that has been on more than any other politician in recent times. Untrue. Since 2019 he’s only been on a standard once and then in two general election leadership programmes.
“A politician from the Green Party recently claimed online that Farage has been on more times than the Green Party in the last five years or so. The truth is, that particular person has been on more often than and the Green Party overall even more frequently.”
Explaining how the panel gets selected, Fiona explained that she, the editor and the “keep an eye on representation on the show”.
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Nigel Farage during the Question Time Leaders’ Debate. (Image: Getty)
She continued: “It’s a constant recalibration of the panel: how many Labour, Conservative, Lib Dems, , Greens etc? We also think about how many men versus women we’ve had on the panel, people from different ages and ethnic backgrounds.”
At the time of writing, Kenneth Clarke has appeared on more times than anyone else. His number of episodes stand at 59.
Second is the late Shirley Williams with 58 appearances, and third is Menzies Campbell with 47.
It comes after Fiona Bruce came under fire when appeared on the Leaders’ Special on June 28.
Some viewers felt the Reform UK leader was and complained to the .
“We received complaints from people who felt Fiona Bruce interrupted too often, and that the audience were biased against him,” a spokesperson posted on the website. They did not disclose the number of complaints received but noted that a minimum of 100 complaints is required before they address it on their site.
In response to the complaints, the corporation defended Ms Bruce in a detailed post and also explained the process of audience selection to counter allegations of biased coverage.
The spokesperson said: “After reviewing the programme we’re satisfied that Fiona only interrupted Mr Farage to bring him back to the question at hand, to clarify a point or to provide context to our audience. We’re satisfied Fiona treated all leaders fairly.
“With regards to the audience, it made up of broadly similar levels of supporters of Reform UK and the Green party, with voters who intend to support other parties also included.
“There were also a number of people, with a range of political views, who were still making up their mind.”
returns to One tonight at 10.40pm.