Question Time accused of bias over move from Bolton Published duration 5 April 2019 Related Topics Brexit

image caption The panel discussion was moved from Bolton to Dulwich "due to ongoing Brexit votes", the BBC said

The BBC has been accused of bias after it moved live filming of Question Time from Bolton to London.

The programme said Thursday's show was broadcast from Dulwich to allow politicians attending Brexit debates at Westminster to take part.

Some social media users said moving filming from Bolton, where 58% voted to leave the EU, ensured a pro-EU audience in London, which voted to remain.

The BBC said it was looking for a new date to return to Bolton.

The weekly BBC One debate , which allows audience members to question a panel of politicians, journalists and public figures, had been due to air from Bolton's Albert Halls.

Some Twitter users took to the platform as the show aired on Thursday to say a panel comprising northern politicians should have been sought if MPs were unwilling to travel from London.

Bolton 'dumped'

Others suggested the BBC was guilty of "demographic management" and "bias".

One said the BBC had "dumped" filming in front of a Bolton audience in favour of London because it did not "want to hear their opinion".

Meanwhile Wigan Labour MP Lisa Nandy and Rachel Reeves, the MP for Leeds West, have written to the BBC director general Tony Hall to complain about the decision, arguing it reflects a capital-centric outlook in the corporation's output and deprived non-Londoners of a voice at a crucial moment in the Brexit debate.

Ms Nandy said: "The decision to move last night's Question Time from Bolton to London has been met with real anger in the north. Too often people in our constituencies are cut out of the national debate."

The MPs have also asked the BBC to provide a breakdown of how many episodes of Question Time are filmed at state schools and how many take place at private schools, in addition to statistics on the number of programmes broadcast from London.

The panel of guests on Thursday included Tottenham MP David Lammy and Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright, the MP for Kenilworth and Southam in Warwickshire, who were joined by journalists and an MEP.

The BBC rejected suggestions moving the show was related to the way Bolton voted in the referendum.

A spokesman said: "The decision was taken at the start of the week when it was extremely unclear when and if crucial Brexit votes would be taking place.

"If there had been voting on Thursday, politicians would not have been able to get to Bolton."

The programme is currently inviting prospective audience members to apply for live episodes due to be filmed in Nottingham on 25 April, Warrington on 2 May, Northampton on 9 May and Elgin on 16 May.

It is not due to return to London until 20 June.