BBC sparks 'bias' row as Brian Cox brands Nigel Farage 'slightly fascist': 'Need to make an apology!'

The trio watched on as Kuenssberg grilled the likes of transport secretary Mark Harper, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davey and leader of Plaid Cymru Rhun ap Iorwerth.

Between the interviews with the politicians, Kuenssberg turned to the panel for their verdict on the discussion as well as the general state of affairs heading into July's election.

When the discussion turned to the state of the economy and the future, actor Cox was keen to bring up the impact of Brexit.

A staunch Remainer, Cox branded Brexit the "demon we don't talk about" and claimed it was "why we are so broke".

Even when Kuenssberg argued that the pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine were also factors in the faltering economy, Cox appeared unconvinced.

Soon after, Cox weighed in on the SNP giving Scotland more of a "voice" and what the next government will look like.

After Burnham had chipped in to predict a heavy defeat for the Conservatives, Cox highlighted Farage as the reason, saying: "I really do worry about the Conservatives, I really think Nigel Farage is not doing any good at all.

"I mean he’s really ruining that party [the Conservatives] and if I was a Conservative voter I would really be worried about what’s happening to my party.

"I’m not a Conservative and I never will be a Conservative voter, I want to state that first and foremost, but I do worry about his influence and I find him slightly fascist quite frankly."

Kuenssberg replied: "Nigel Farage was here last week, he's not here this week to defend himself."

Before long, social media was awash with complaints about Cox's remarks - especially given Farage wasn't their to hit back at the claims.

"Now Brian Cox has called Nigel a fascist on the BBC. Disgraceful!!" one fan fumed on X, formerly Twitter, while a second hit out: "The BBC invite the pro-SNP champagne socialist millionaire Brian Cox onto a political show to slag off Brexit & the Tories. This hypocritical grinch lives in a luxury Manhattan penthouse. Our General Election is none of his business. Typical BBC."

Elsewhere, a third similarly took aim at both the Beeb and Cox: "Brian Cox the actor calling Nigel Farage a fascist on @bbclaurak this morning was well out of order. This fool should stick to acting and the BBC need to make an immediate apology to Farage. Cox who supports the SNP is a more likely candidate to fascism."

"Having actor Brian Cox on a political comment show is ludicrous along with his even more daft and flawed Brexit comment … why didn’t the overrated & overpaid Laura K. have a Reform Party member on instead? … don’t you just love the BBC," a fourth raged.

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TV presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer similarly slammed: "On @bbclaurak this morning, actor Brian Cox says of @Nigel_Farage 'I find him slightly fascist'. What an utterly ridiculous thing to say. Any suggestions for opinions and policies that could be considered *slightly* fascist...?"

One Conservative candidate, according to the Telegraph, also said the choice on the panel were “ingrained lefty Blairite bias” due to their vocal opposition to Sunak and the current government.

However, there was some support for Cox for his blunt assessment of the Reform UK leader.

One person argued: "Brian Cox going on #BBCLauraK to deliver facts about Brexit and to call #NigelFarage a fascist is a pretty good start to the day." (sic)