Complaint
The programme included an interview with Nigel Farage conducted by Nick Robinson.聽A listener complaint that Mr Robinson had displayed bias in a condescending and unprofessional attitude to Mr Farage while discussing the important issues arising from the treatment of Mr Farage by his bank. The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the 麻豆社鈥檚 editorial standards of impartiality.聽
Outcome
The interview, which lasted for more than seven minutes, gave Mr Farage ample opportunity to set out his views on his own treatment and the wider topic of banking reform.聽 Mr Robinson鈥檚 final question, however, was about whether Mr Farage was to return to politics, and he said 鈥淚 know you鈥檝e run seven times [ie for Parliament] and lost seven times, but are you鈥︹, at which point Mr Farage interrupted to say 鈥I鈥檓 really not going to have this, I鈥檓 sick to death of your condescending tone鈥.聽 As there was continuing speculation that Mr Farage might take the current controversy as an opportunity to return to national politics, the ECU saw nothing inappropriate in putting that possibility to him, and nothing in the terms in which it was put which was out of keeping what a seasoned politician might expect in a Today interview with someone who had discussed such matters with him on many previous occasions.聽 Notwithstanding Mr Farage鈥檚 apparent exasperation, the ECU did not agree that Mr Robinson鈥檚 attitude could fairly be described as condescending, unprofessional or indicative of bias, and his question elicited confirmation from Mr Farage that he was not about to stand for Parliament again.
Not upheld