The responded after receiving complaints from viewers who tuned in to watch interview Party leader .
the politician defended who controversially attacked the UK Government on social media over its handling of grooming gangs.
In a series of posts, the billionaire raged Jess Phillips “deserves to be in prison” for denying requests for the Home Office to lead a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham.
He also slammed Sir , saying the Prime Minister failed to bring “rape gangs” to justice when he was director of public prosecutions.
However, as many took to social media and claimed he wasn’t sufficiently challenged.
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BBC issued a statement about Laura Kuenssberg’s with Nigel Farage (Image: PA)
In response, the stated: “We regularly interview senior politicians and political leaders from across the political spectrum on the programme.
“ was interviewed in his capacity as leader of Reform UK, a party that won five seats at last year’s General Election and has a rapidly growing supporter base.
“As Laura explained, we also hope to speak to Kemi Badenoch, Sir Ed Davey and Sir and other party leaders over the month ahead.
In the days leading up to the interview, had released a series of controversial posts on X attacking the government about grooming gangs. There had also been media attention on Mr Musk’s relationship with , and speculation about whether he would donate to Reform.
“This interview was an opportunity for Laura to challenge the Reform leader on whether Mr Musk’s statements were appropriate as part of political discourse and on the misleading nature of Mr Musk’s claims about the child grooming gangs scandal.”
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Nigel Farage defended Elon Musk’s comments as “free speech” (Image: BBC)
On Kuenssberg, the added: “She scrutinised in detail Mr Farage’s response to comments made by Mr Musk about the prime minister and Jess Phillips MP. Laura also asked whether his reluctance to criticise Mr Musk was because there was the possibility that Mr Musk would donate money to Reform, and pressed Mr Farage on whether Mr Musk’s comments had crossed the line.
“Laura made clear both during and after the interview the context of Mr Musk’s claims, and facts relating to this story.
“Laura also used the interview with Mr Farage to discuss Reform’s strategy for 2025 and his relationship with the incoming US President .”
A spokesperson for the broadcaster continued: “We also interviewed Labour’s Wes Streeting, who was given the opportunity to respond to Mr Musk’s criticism of his government colleagues, and on the panel we heard from former home secretary Alan Johnson who was given time to set out his thoughts on Mr Musk and Mr Farage.
“We believe Laura’s approach to our interview with Mr Farage was both fair and duly impartial, allowing Mr Farage the opportunity to make his points, and also addressing issues important to our viewers.”