Snow, the 69 year-old who has anchored Channel 4's flagship news programme since 1989, found himself at the heart of the story over the weekend after a photograph in which he posed with fellow festival-goers was posted on Twitter.

An accompanying message claimed Mr Snow had shouted “---- the Tories”.

It said: “Boss place that Glasto. Having a dance with Jon Snow and hearing him shout ---- the tories is what dream are made of (sic)."

Snow had earlier issued no denial, merely saying in a statement: “After a day at Glastonbury I can honestly say I have no recollection of what was chanted, sung or who I took over 1,000 selfies with.”

But after the on-air accusation of bias was made by Matthew Kilcoyne, of the Adam Smith Institute think-tank, he replied: "You can say that - but that is actually a very unpleasant thing to have done."

ConservativeHome blogger Mark Wallace was one who enjoyed the exchange: