Reform UK spokesperson Howard Cox has been left fuming after the BBC accused Nigel Farage of "customary inflammatory language" when he appeared at a press conference in Dover.
The BBC apologised to Farage over the impartiality breach when presenter Geeta Guru-Murthy remarked as the channel cut away from the honorary Reform UK president’s press conference about migration in Dover.
The former Ukip leader was talking about Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, referring to "aggressive young males that are coming into Poland” when the news channel cut away.
The presenter then said "Nigel Farage with his customary inflammatory language there at a Reform UK press conference. He declined to stand for a seat. But we will have more on what Farage is saying, if you want to follow it more, just follow the QR code."
Nigel Farage was speaking at a Reform UK conference
PA
Speaking about the moment to GB News, Cox said: "It's typical BBC. They can't actually rest. They just simply don't like Nigel Farage.
"They used the word customary. It is just not necessary. Let's talk about what's happening. This immigration and all the issues that are happening in this country are really impacting everyone's lives.
"The cost of living, the whole aspect regarding immigration needs to be addressed. And at the moment, the elephant in the room continues to be brushed under the carpet by Labour and the Tories."
GB News host Tom Hardwood pointed out: "Well, what the BBC might say to that, is that Nigel Farage is known as a controversial politician. He does speak in a way that perhaps some other politicians don't.
"Perhaps it's true that the language that he was quoting there from Donald Tusk, the prime minister of Poland, former EU Council president, perhaps that was inflammatory language, and perhaps it was right for the BBC to point that out."
He responded: "Yes, but they don't need to. In his customary methodology of speaking, it's wrong. I mean, Nigel, you know Nigel better than anyone at GB News, and he's a guy that's passionate and cares about things.
Howard Cox said that it was"typical BBC"GB News "He's the most influential politician of the last 20 years, and I wouldn't be in Reform UK if he left the party.
"He is an inspiration and an incredible icon for me and I do get very angry with the way there are certain parts of the media that attack him."
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.
The presenter breeched impartiality
PA
"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'.
Two hours after the incident, the BBC apologised and Ms Guru-Murthy told 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."
