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Diane Abbott’s Question Time row has deepened after Labour made an official complaint to the BBC over her treatment.

The Shadow Home Secretary had accused Thursday’s show – chaired by new host Fiona Bruce – of legitimising racist abuse against her.

She was interrupted more than twice as often as Tory Justice Minister Rory Stewart on Thursday’s edition, which was heavily criticised by Labour politicians and Momentum campaigners.

The shadow home secretary said she was not allowed to respond to a "blatantly abusive remark" from the audience.

She added she had also been told Ms Bruce had made unpleasant remarks about her to the audience before filming began and the audience had been "wound up" against her.

Writing for the Independent, Ms Abbott said: "Over a long political career I have appeared on BBC Question Time innumerable times, but I have never had such a horrible experience as I had in Derby last week."

Labour have complained that Ms Abbott was incorrectly challenged after claiming it was “neck and neck” with the Tories in the polls, it is understood.

Fiona Bruce and political pundit Isabel Oakeshott said Labour was behind in the polls – but in the last 10 at the time it has trailed the Tories in four, led in four and tied in two.

(Image: PA)

(Image: BBC)

The BBC tweeted: “We’ve reviewed what was said re polling. A YouGov poll published on the day suggested a lead for the Conservatives.

“Diane Abbott was also right that some other polls suggested Labour either ahead or tied and we should have made that clear.”

In her article, Ms Abbott said unlike the programme's previous host, veteran broadcaster David Dimbleby, Ms Bruce did not appear well-briefed and had got the polling wrong.

"She (or her researcher) appears to have got their figures from a Conservative Central Office handout. Above all, it seems she is not afraid to appear unfair as a presenter," she said.

She said the BBC needs to start treating Mr Corbyn and his ministers as "legitimate political actors" and accord them the same respect they give to Tory ministers and MPs on the Labour right.

The complaint is also said to mention the level of interruption Ms Abbott faced – panelists or Ms Bruce stopped her 21 times in the hour-long programme.

Tory Rory Stewart was interrupted nine times and SNP’s Kirsty Blackman eight times.

Social media claims that a BBC team member made inappropriate comments to the audience about Ms Abbott and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn are also said to be part of the complaint.

Supporter Alison Martin, in the audience, tweeted: “Didn’t feel like a balanced audience, though Leavers were loud.

“Jeers against Diane Abbott were worse than heard on the broadcast; was some humour at Diane’s expense from BBC staff before recording.”

(Image: BBC)

Audience member Jyoti Wilkinson, who works for Labour’s Derby West MP Chris Williamson, said Ms Bruce used innuendo to “instigate a roast”.

He said: “Comments along the lines of ‘Let her know what you really think’ and ‘Some may think she is in the shadow cabinet because of her very close relationships to Corbyn’ were made.

“This had the desired effect and the carefully selected audience guffawed in delight as they had been given license to air their bigoted views in public.”

Ms Abbott’s spokesman said: “A hostile environment was whipped up. A public broadcaster like the BBC should be a model of impartiality and equality.

“The media must stop legitimising mistreatment, bias and abuse against her as a black woman in public life.”

The BBC said: “We’re sorry to hear Diane Abbott’s concerns and have contacted her team to reassure them social media reports are inaccurate and misleading.

“Diane Abbott is a regular and important contributor. We firmly reject claims any of the panel were treated unfairly before or during the recording.”