BBC bias row: Andrew Marr CLEARED after probe launched into Prince Philip remarks
BBC PRESENTER Andrew Marr has been cleared of showing bias, after saying those disinterested in Prince Philip's funeral were "wrong".
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The veteran broadcaster made the comment during The Andrew Marr Show, on April 18, one day after the Duke of Edinburgh was laid to rest. His comments sparked 234 complaints, with critics accusing him of pro-royal bias.
However, following an internal BBC investigation, Mr Marr has been cleared.
Prince Philip died on April 9 at Windsor Castle, aged 99.
He was the longest serving royal consort in British history.
The Duke’s funeral took place eight days later at Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel.
Mr Marr began his show on April 18 by saying: “One story really only on all the front pages, and one thought, 'The Queen left alone, Alone in her Grief', says the Sunday People.
“I'm not going to share all this on the front pages, because basically they have the same idea.
“I say to anyone who is not interested in yesterday's funeral, two things.
“First, you're wrong. There's a lot to reflect on and a lot to learn.
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“And second, avoid the Sunday papers.”
However, critics complained the presenter shouldn’t have made what they saw as a pro-royal remark, live on air.
One commented: “Ridiculous. No doubt it is big news, but quite a few people are republicans and don't believe we should have a Royal Family.
“That is a perfectly legitimate view - what a patronising thing to say.”
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Contacting Mr Marr via Twitter another asked: “Who do you think you are exactly having the right to say people not interested in the royal funeral yesterday are wrong?!
“It’s not your call to make, it’s a family tragedy, of course, but so many have lost their loved ones. We don’t need someone like you to judge us.”
Details of the internal inquiry were revealed by the BBC on Thursday night.
Contained within a table of recent investigations, it read: “The Andrew Marr Show. BBC One 18/04/2021. Bias on royal funeral. Not upheld.”
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The BBC’s coverage of Prince Philip’s death, which saw its usual schedule on BBC One and BBC Two cancelled, sparked 109,741 complaints.
Regular shows, such as EastEnders and MasterChef, were replaced with tributes to the late Prince.
This made the coverage the most complained about broadcast in the corporation’s history.
Defending its coverage, the BBC described the funeral as “a significant event which generated a lot of interest both nationally and internationally”.
They added: “We acknowledge some viewers were unhappy with the level of coverage given, and impact this had on the billed TV and Radio schedules.
“We do not make such changes without careful consideration and the decisions made reflect the role the BBC plays as the national broadcaster, during moments of national significance.”