Complaint
The programme included a discussion about the fiscal prospects for October’s budget which included Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat speakers. Their contributions were illustrated by soundless video clips – of Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves in the case of the Labour speaker and of Kwasi Kwarteng presenting the 2022 Budget in the case of the Conservative. A viewer complained that the choice of shots of Sir Ed Davie on a fairground ride and taking part in gymnastic exercise as illustration accompanying the Liberal Democrat speaker represented bias against the party.  The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the Â鶹Éç’s editorial standards of impartiality.
Outcome
Although the element of levity in the footage of Sir Ed stood in contrast with the other illustrative material, the shots chosen reflected his focus during the general election campaign on activities chosen for their appeal as photo opportunities rather than their political content. The ECU saw no grounds for inferring bias from a contrast which arose from Sir Ed’s own decisions about how to conduct his campaign.
Not upheld