BBC presenter faces calls to be 'SACKED' after sparking impartiality row with 'inflammatory' Farage remark
BBC impartiality row: Geeta Guru-Murthy's Nigel Farage comments have sparked anger
BBC
Nigel Farage has been accused of using "customary inflammatory language" by BBC News presenter Geeta Guru-Murthy following his appearance at Tuesday's Reform UK event.
Guru-Murthy, the sister of Channel 4 news anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy, has prompted calls to "resign" and be "sacked" for her comments which many have deemed not to be impartial.
The remarks came after BBC News shared a live stream of some of Farage's speech at the Reform UK event with its viewers.
As his speech continued, Farage went on to reference a quote by Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, about the state of immigration across Europe.
In doing so, Farage repeated Tusk's comments: "...about a wave, and using his words not mine, of aggressive young males that are coming into Poland, having crossed the Mediterranean and he has said this is now a matter of national security."
The BBC ended the feed there as Guru-Murthy said to viewers: "Nigel Farage with his... ummm, customary inflammatory language there at a Reform UK press conference.
Geeta Guru-Murthy accused Farage of using "customary inflammatory language"
BBC
"He declined to stand for a seat but we will have more on what Farage is saying."
Several licence fee payers took exception to Guru-Murthy's phrasing and flooded social media with their complaints - including Farage himself.
The 60-year-old said on X, formerly Twitter, alongside a clip of the incident: "What happened to impartiality @Geetagurumurthy and @bbcpress? BBC News presenter, Geeta, just accused me of ‘customary inflammatory language’ when I was quoting Polish PM Donald Tusk at a press conference."
Before long, several agreed with Farage, with one person urging people to lodge official complaints with the broadcaster.
What happened to impartiality @Geetagurumurthy and @bbcpress?
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) May 28, 2024
BBC News presenter, Geeta, just accused me of ‘customary inflammatory language’ when I was quoting Polish PM Donald Tusk at a press conference. pic.twitter.com/INV4ucPYQO
"Get your complaints into the @BBC and to Ofcom. This is outrageous from Guru Murthy," they penned "She should be sacked. @Geetagurumurthy clearly breaches impartiality rules here and during an election period. @Ofcom should act immediately."
A second similarly shared the clip online and wrote: "Whilst Nigel Farage was making his speech, the BBC cut away from it and A BBC News Chief presenter said 'Nigel Farage there with his customary inflammatory language'.
"This is far from impartial and completely bias. She needs to be suspended or sacked."
"Very clear political bias from this BBC presenter. @Ofcom," a third replied while a fourth blasted the Beeb: "Wow... just when I think the BBC can't sink any lower they do."
Another echoed the calls for Guru-Murthy's sacking as they penned: "Totally agree! She can’t contain her bias and knows the bbc wouldn’t dare question her."
However, others argued in response to the clips that this didn't breach the Beeb's guidelines, while another sided with Guru-Murthy by penning: "True though…" (sic)
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Nigel Farage was speaking at the Reform UK event in Dover on Tuesday
PA
Guru-Murthy addressed and apologised for her comments later during her stint on Tuesday afternoon.
She said to BBC viewers: "Now an apology. 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."