William Mitchell has appeared in the audience of Question Time four times

A loyalist who caused a row about bias by appearing in the BBC’s Question Time audience four times has claimed he was invited because of a shortage of right-wing voices.

William Mitchell, 49, said the producer of the programme had asked him to Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, for last week’s broadcast because the area strongly supported the SNP.

Prospective audience members are usually asked if they have been on the programme before and when; who they would vote for in a general election; how they voted on Brexit; and whether they are a member of a political party.

Mr Mitchell said he was sent an email inviting him to a pilot of Debate Night — a Scottish version of Question Time for the new BBC Scotland