The ECU noted only around 5 minutes of the show focused specifically on the Conservative Party and considered the references had a legitimate foundation, as they were based on current issues.  The BBC’s Editorial Guidelines make clear the requirement for impartiality will vary according to the nature of the output and, for a show of this type, needs to be considered across a series, not a single episode.  In this case the programme at other times heavily targeted the Labour Party, notably during the week of their party conference in October.  Whilst the impartiality guidelines apply more stringently to BBC news presenters than to other hosts, the ECU considered audiences were generally able to recognise that hosting Have I Got News For You was a performance in keeping with the spirit of the show, rather than a reflection of the presenter’s own political persuasions.

Not Upheld