The BBC has been slammed for its coverage of ULEZ protests in London, after a news presenter called those demonstrating “conspiracy theorists” and said they were part of “far-right groups”.
Yesterday, protesters gathered in Trafalgar Square to voice their opposition to the expansion of the ULEZ zone, which will result in hundreds of thousands more drivers facing a daily fee of £12.50 for using London’s roads.
The scheme is currently limited to the area within the North and South Circular roads.
BBC London presenter and reporter Alpa Patel opened the evening news with coverage of the event, she said: “Local protesters and mainstream politicians were joined by conspiracy theorists and far right groups.”
Hundreds of thousands more drivers are facing a daily fee of £12.50 for using London’s roads.
Reuters
There were no interviews with protesters and it was not clear what “far-right” groups were being referred to.
The moment was clipped up and posted to social media by a number of users, with many left outraged by the broadcast.
GB News’ Martin Daubney tweeted: “Why is it that anybody and everybody the BBC disagrees with these days is "Far Right?”
"It isn't "Far Right" to object to being charged £12.50 every day to drive your car! It's just "right!””
The ULEZ scheme is set to be expanded in August.
Reuters
Bev Turner said: “Far right conspiracy theorists".....is the name for people defending elderly, parents and workers who wish to use their cars to live their lives...
“Who is this autocutey who just reads out what she's told to say without any thought whatsoever?”
It comes on the same week the corporation sent redundancy letters to some of its biggest talent in an attempt to save costs as it begins restructuring.
Clive Myrie, Huw Edwards, Reeta Chakrabarti and Sophie Raworth are all believed to have been sent letters asking them to consider voluntary redundancy, according to the Mail Online.
The BBC sent redundancy letters to some of its biggest talent.
PA
Interim managing editor of news and current affairs, Philippa Busby, has also sent the letter to Justin Webb and Nick Robinson, presenters from the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.
It reads: “As you will be aware, in 2022 we announced a number of changes across BBC News which have meant that some colleagues have been placed at risk of redundancy, including some colleagues in presenter roles.”
The letter then goes on to urge staff who “would like to consider potentially leaving the BBC under voluntary redundancy” to contact senior HR executive Tim Burden.
It is reported to be in relation to Director-General Tim Davie’s announcement last year that there would be cost-cutting measures implemented across the broadcaster.
Redundancy packages at The BBC are capped at £150,000, a less than attractive proposition for presenters such as Edwards who last year earned in excess of £410,000
