A Derby woman has backed Diane Abbott in a row over an allegedly derogatory comments made by BBC Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce.

Denise Richards was in the audience for the recording of last Thursday's show at Derby's Roundhouse.

Following the broadcast, a spokesman for Ms Abbott claimed that a "hostile atmosphere was whipped up, propped up by reports of inappropriate and sexist commentary in the audience warm-up session" and accused the media of "legitimising mistreatment, bias and abuse against Ms Abbott as a black woman in public life".

Fiona Bruce, the show's new host, reportedly implied that Ms Abbott had been given the role of shadow home secretary because of her past relationship with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

The BBC rejected claims that any member of the panel was treated unfairly "before or during the recording".

(Image: BBC)

But Ms Richards, 50, of Boulton Moor, said she feels that the audience was whipped into a frenzy ahead of the recording and that Ms Bruce's comment led to a great deal of mirth among the panel and the audience before the programme started.

Ms Richards, who attended a recording of the same programme in Derby about four years ago, said that the audience had arrived at the venue by 6.30pm.

She said: "We were kept in a holding area and Fiona Bruce popped in to see us and encouraged us to cheer, clap and make plenty of noise during the programme - not something that former presenter David Dimbleby ever did.

(Image: BBC)

"Then we took our seats and there was a warm-up session before recording began when Ms Bruce introduced members of the panel.

"I couldn't believe it when she introduced Diane Abbott and said that she is close to Jeremy Corbyn and that once upon a time they were even closer.

"Everyone started laughing and giggling and it seemed to set the tone for the evening. I am not a fan of Diane Abbott, but I feel she was treated badly on the night.

"I thinks she let's herself down, but on this occasion she did receive poor treatment at the hands of the audience and the panel and it was definitely racial."

Diane Abbott on Question Time

Ms Abbott has accused the broadcaster of "winding up" the audience against her and legitimising racist bias and abuse on the show, as she was the only black panel member. But DerbyshireLive readers have hit back, saying she was not on top of her brief as Shadow Home Secretary.

Labour has asked for a copy of the warm-up footage.

Derbyshire Live has seen the text that Ms Richards sent to friends about what had happened at 6.58pm. Recording of the programme started at about 7.15pm and was broadcast at 10.45pm.

She added: "I was in the front row of the audience and despite putting up my hand to ask a question, I was not asked.

"But afterwards, Fiona Bruce came straight to me and apologised for not "getting to me" to allow me to ask a question. She then posed for a quick selfie video with me.

"Having read the comments about this over the weekend, I felt I needed to set the record straight because I was actually there."

Previously, responding to the allegations, the BBC said: “We are sorry to hear Diane Abbott’s concerns over Thursday night’s edition of Question Time and we have contacted her team today to reassure them that reports circulating on social media are inaccurate and misleading.

“Diane is a regular and important contributor to the programme.

Show more

“As we said earlier, we firmly reject claims that any of the panel was treated unfairly either before or during the recording.”

Related searches: