Reform UK Deputy Leader David Bull has criticised the BBC’s audience for its General Election debate, claiming it had a “London-centric” feel.
Angry social media users hit out at the broadcaster over claims of “bias” after a comment criticising Brexit was met with rapturous applause.
The audience - which was selected by independent pollsters Savanta - was also a sticking point for Bull who opted to give a “political” response on GB News when asked if he felt they were biased.
Asked by GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope about the claim, he said: “This audience was a very London-centric audience, he says politically.”
David Bull says the audience was 'London-centric'
GB NEWS / PA
The audience breaking into applause when a tax on Brexit was suggested proved to be a point of contention for social media users.
Asked by Chopper whether this shows Reform’s policies are “out of touch”, Bull was adamant this is not the case.
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David Bull criticised the BBC audience
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“When you go around the country, people are pro-Brexit”, he said.
“We haven’t Brexited properly. We’ve annexed Northern Ireland. We have put a border in the Irish Sea.
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“You tell me another country that would go around wilfully annexing its territory.”
While the audience came in for criticism, many social media users jumped to their defence, pointing to the method of selection used by the BBC.
Nigel Farage was present at the debate
BBCOne person wrote: "Audience chosen by Savanta a polling company stop crying about bias because not everyone agrees with you."
Another agreed: "Audience selected by independent pollsters Savation to reflect the electorate. Their main clients are The Daily Mail and ITV.
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"What you’re seeing isn’t BBC bias, it’s your own irrelevance. The general public is kinder than you realise and don’t agree with you."
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris told GB News: "A bad politician will always blame the audience.
"I heard your question to Lisa, 'What did they clap for?' and I don't think you can read anything into that because had you gone back to 2016 during any of the debates about leaving the European Union if you had gone by audience reaction alone, we would have stayed in the European Union with a massive majority."
