BBC Brexit bias: Fiona Bruce accused of favouring REMAINER in BBC Question Time debut
FIONA Bruce has been accused of anti-Brexit bias for handing a Labour Remainer four more minutes of air-time than a pro-Brexit Tory during her first night hosting the BBC’s Question Time.
The presenter annoyed Brexiteers when she interrupted deputy chairman of the Conservative Party James Cleverly 20 times during Thursday evening’s debate show, while butting in on Labour Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry only 11 times.
The 54-year-old allowed Ms Thornberry 10 minutes and 22 seconds to put her points across while Mr Cleverly was given six minutes and 32 seconds.
Viewers also noticed the difference between the amount of time given to anti-Brexit audience members as opposed to those in favour of the UK leaving the EU.
While Brexiteers spoke for a total of one minute and 43 seconds, Remainers took up four minutes and 48 seconds of talk time - with two given more than a minute to speak compared to 35 seconds being the longest time for pro-Brexit speakers.
Thursday’s show which was filmed in Islington, North London, saw Ms Bruce become the first woman to host the BBC1’s programme in its 40-year history.
The former Antiques Roadshow presenter was appointed host of Question Time after the BBC’s equal pay row.
Taking over from long-time host David Dimbleby, Ms Bruce used her first time sitting in the chair to quiz a panel on the government’s handling of Brexit and how to make Britain’s streets safer.
Jo Swinson, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Times columnist Melanie Phillips and comedian Nish Kumar made up the panel alongside Mr Cleverly and Ms Thornberry.
Although time was not divided equally among Brexiteers and Remainers on Ms Bruce’s debut show, many viewers praised her performance, saying she was “always in control” and fired “probing” questions at her guests.
One view tweeted: “David Dimbleby was #bbcqt for so long. Think his big boots are well and truly filled!”
Another said: “Although the legend that is David Dimbleby was missed, I thought Fiona Bruce did a to job chairing the panel on last night’s #bbcqt”
Her first question - has the government lost control of the Brexit process - saw Mr Cleverly go head to with Ms Swinson.
The Tory claimed Theresa May’s deal delivers on the promises made during the Brexit campaign while Ms Swinson argued that the government is “making an absolute mess of Brexit” and said it has become a national embarrassment.
Moments before kicking off her first session in the hot seat, Ms Bruce told the crowd she was “nervous” but encouraged them to “boo, hiss and clap what you like”.