Complaint
A viewer objected to the inclusion of Isabel Oakeshott as a member of the panel and complained that the programme showed bias towards right-wing views by allowing her to speak freely while a Labour member of the panel was constantly interrupted. The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the BBC’s editorial standards of impartiality.
Outcome
Decisions about who to invite as panellists are a matter for the discretion of the programme-makers, and the panel on this occasion represented an appropriate range of viewpoints. The main topic of discussion in the programme was the Government’s Autumn Statement. As Ms Oakeshott and the Labour panellist were both highly critical of the Statement, there was no question of bias towards one or other of them; and, although discussion was at times fractious, all the panellists had proper opportunities to express their views.
Not Upheld