BBC presenter apologises after Nigel Farage comment

A BBC News presenter has apologised after she accused Nigel Farage of using “customary inflammatory language”.

Geeta Guru-murthy made the comment after a clip of Mr Farage speaking at a Reform UK event in Dover was shown on BBC News, before later apologising and saying this “didn’t meet the BBC’s editorial standards on impartiality”.

Mr Farage, Reform’s honorary president, said he was quoting the Polish prime minister Donald Tusk when he said “aggressive young males” were coming into Poland.

Former Conservative, now Reform MP, Lee Anderson said the licence fee should be scrapped and called for the presenter to be sacked.

Live on air, Ms Guru-murthy said: “Earlier today we heard live from Nigel Farage, speaking at that election event we just saw.

“When we came away from his live speech, I used language to describe it which didn’t meet the BBC’s editorial standards on impartiality. I’d like to apologise to Mr Farage and viewers for this.”

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Farage tagged Ms Guru-murthy and asked: “What happened to impartiality?”

In response to this, Mr Anderson said: “Shocking stuff here from the BBC. Time to scrap the licence and sack the lot of ’em.”

Mr Anderson had the Tory whip removed over his refusal to apologise for claiming “Islamists” had control of London mayor Sadiq Khan.

Mr Farage has declined to stand as an MP but will be involved in campaigning.

Published: 28/05/2024 by Radio NewsHub