Brexiteers declare war on the BBC, accusing it of pro-Remain bias Leading Eurosceptics have accused the BBC of pumping out negative coverage of Brexit designed to undermine Theresa May’s chances of […]

Leading Eurosceptics have accused the BBC of pumping out negative coverage of Brexit designed to undermine Theresa May’s chances of negotiating a good departure deal for Britain.

“I cannot recall a single time recently when I have seen good economic news that the BBC has not described as being ‘despite Brexit’.” Liam Fox The i politics newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription.

The attack on the broadcaster’s impartiality was mounted by two Cabinet ministers, Conservative MPs and the former Ukip leader Nigel Farage.

Liam Fox, the International Trade Secretary, led the charge, telling the Commons: “It does appear that some elements of our media would rather see Britain fail than see Brexit succeed.

“I cannot recall a single time recently when I have seen good economic news that the BBC has not described as being ‘despite Brexit’.”

Call to ‘address’ coverage

He was echoed by the Commons leader, Andrea Leadsom, who urged the BBC to “address” its coverage of the issue.

“We all want to see balance in reporting, giving as much time to the opportunities of leaving the EU as is given to the other side of the argument,” she said.

“A number of people have expressed concern that that balance is not there, and I think all of us across the House would wish to see that addressed very closely.”



Ms Leadsom was responding to the Hendon MP, Matthew Offord, who protested over a report on BBC2’s Newsnight which quoted unnamed sources as predicting that Brexit might never take place.

Mr Offord suggested that the corporation’s coverage could breach the terms of its royal charter.

Farage joins attack

Referring to the same report, Mr Farage said: “Given most of their coverage, it looks like it’s the BBC themselves that don’t want Brexit to actually happen.”

The Tory MP for Ribble Valley, Nigel Evans, said: The potential for trade with Commonwealth countries is very exciting … but every time I open a newspaper or listen to the radio or TV, the story is presented very negatively, as though it will be almost impossible for us to do these trade deals.”

Four months ago, 72 pro-Brexit MPs of all parties wrote to the BBC’s director general, accusing it of being pessimistic and skewed in its coverage of the issue since the referendum.

The latest accusations of bias were strongly denied by the corporation.

A spokeswoman said: “The BBC takes impartiality incredibly seriously and we are covering Brexit developments in depth by examining all the perspectives and arguments. We have a wide range of voices on air and will continue to do so.”

May distances herself

Downing Street also distanced itself from Dr Fox’s comments. Theresa May’s official spokesman said: “Ministers and MPs and others will all have their views. It’s a matter for newspapers, broadcasters and others to determine the tone and content of their own coverage.”

He added: “The Prime Minister has always been clear on the need to have a free press and free media in this country.”

The Conservative former minister Ed Vaizey said: “Those people who question the BBC’s patriotism or declare that the BBC is somehow biased in this debate are absurd.”

He added those who level claims of bias against the BBC “have simply lost the argument”.