Victoria Coren Mitchell 'glad' as Have I Got News for You removed by BBC
The latest episode was removed from BBC iPlayer after a huge mistake regarding Labour's plans for digital ID cards
Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts Have I Got News For You
Victoria Coren Mitchell says she is “glad” that her latest episode of Have I Got News for You was removed from BBC iPlayer by the broadcaster. In the episode, which aired on October 3, the Only Connect star was in the hosting seat when she alleged Labour will entrust the development of its digital ID card scheme to Euan Blair’s company Multiverse.
In actuality, the company – run by Tony Blair’s son – has no involvement in the project, and isn’t even a technology firm. The episode was removed from the streaming service when the error came to light, with the BBC offering an apology, but Coren Mitchell has now admitted she is “glad” things have been cleared up.
After initially breaking her silence via X, she added: “Not him at all apparently! Of course I don’t make the list of news stories to bring up, I just get given it, but I should probably have been more surprised.
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“Duh. I’m glad to hear that wasn’t an instance of nepotism at all and has been taken out of the show.”
She later posted: “Meanwhile, if you see a clip of me saying the ID card contract has gone to Tony Blair’s son: it hasn’t. That was something I was given to ask about last night, but turns out to be incorrect. Which is bad news for the fact checkers but good news for social mobility.”
Victoria couldn’t escape the backlash online, however, as one of her followers tweeted: “How on earth could every single person involved with the making and presentation of this programme be so naive and credulous and just think this was true? It’s a satirical news quiz and yet no one even keeps up with the conspiracy theories du jour? Hopeless.”
Someone else said: “It was a particularly interesting mistake considering the E Blairs company doesn't actually develop software.”
“It’s why many have stopped watching HIGNFY. Trying to give ‘fairness’ in a quiz show, where being funny is secondary to ‘providing balance’. See also R4 quiz shows that now feel obliged to include right wing comedians, most whom are as funny as a coldsore on the lip,” another echoed.
