The BBC has issued a groveling apology to Reform UK, a fledgling conservative political party, for inaccurately describing the party as "far-right" in an online article published just days after Lee Anderson joined the party. The apology comes after several complaints, including from Reform UK leader Richard Tice, who labeled the description as "defamatory and libellous" and criticized it as a "tactic to smear" the party. The controversy has sparked discussions about media bias, the portrayal of political parties, and concerns over the BBC's impartiality, with some suggesting the broadcaster aims to protect the "licence fee gravy train." The article in question was related to the Liberal Democrats' spring conference and mistakenly referred to Reform UK in the context of polling. This incident, involving the Farage-founded party, has led to a broader debate about the BBC's role in political coverage.
The BBC has apologised to Reform U.K. after calling it "far-Right" in a news report. Party leader Richard Tice slammed the taxpayer-funded broadcaster for its "smear tactics". https://t.co/02ntNBkLQw
The BBC has apologised to Reform U.K. after calling it "far-Right" in a news report. Party leader Richard Tice slammed the taxpayer-funded broadcaster for its "smear tactics". https://t.co/OWdcFQRlDv
BBC apologises for calling Reform UK ‘far right’ https://t.co/qOgdUkwzkj
BBC Apologies for Branding Farage-Founded Reform UK as ‘Far Right’ https://t.co/h7QTy7eEsT
🔴 BBC apologises for calling Reform ‘far-Right’ https://t.co/AgU5vNQesO
"BBC apologises for calling Reform ‘far-Right’ "Richard Tice says he is pleased the broadcaster has apologised but that the claim was a ‘tactic to smear’ the party" https://t.co/q3K3qtPiAz
🇬🇧‼️ Britain's public broadcaster has been forced to issue a groveling apology after it called a fledgling conservative political party "far-right" in a report. A slip of the tongue, we're sure. @reformparty_uk https://t.co/gxcAILzPyQ
‘Politics is a dirty game, but we can play sensible dirty rather than defamatory dirty!’ Reform UK leader @TiceRichard reacts to the BBC’s apology for labelling the party ‘far-right’. 📺 Freeview 236, Sky 512, Virgin 604 🔒 Become a GB News Member: https://t.co/mNsRsGC8ef https://t.co/fKKOpG4KqE
It seems @BBCNews can't help themselves as they apologise for calling @reformparty_uk "far-right". "In an article about the Liberal Democrats’ spring conference, we wrongly described the political party Reform UK as far-Right when referring to polling." Just another 30 million… https://t.co/DcfySz0VMv
🚨 NEW: Reform UK leader Richard Tice claims it is "defamatory and libellous" to call his party far-right after the BBC apologised for doing so [@guardian]
The BBC has apologised to Reform for calling them “Far Right” I look forward to the same apology being extended to all those who oppose asylum seekers being dumped on their town/uncontrolled immigration, Brexiteers, etc We’re all Far Right to the BBC! https://t.co/CStIxGA740
The BBC has apologised for referring to Reform UK as a "far right" political party in an article published on its news website.
The BBC has been forced to release an apology for describing Reform UK as “far-right” in an online article. Are the BBC trying to paint Reform UK as ‘far-right’ because they’re worried they’ll end the licence fee gravy train? #DefundTheBBC
BBC forced to issue apology to Reform UK after branding party 'far right' https://t.co/6ewBvLwvAE
The BBC has apologised for describing Reform UK as "far-right" in an online article published just days after Lee Anderson joined the party. https://t.co/gmlSjdaxj8