BBC hit with 854 Ofcom complaints after Fiona Bruce sparks fury
Fiona Bruce refers to Stanley Johnson domestic abuse as ‘one off’
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Fiona Bruce had faced backlash after BBC’s Question Time following a row over Boris Johnson’s dad Stanley. She was forced to step down as ambassador for the domestic abuse charity Refuge after saying Stanley breaking his wife’s nose was a “one-off”. The broadcaster claimed “no impartiality rules were breached” in her defence, but viewers remained riled.
The Question Time host’s controversial comment came after guest Yasmin Alibhai-Brown shared her thoughts on Stanley, branding him a “wife beater”.
Fiona claimed it “did happen” but “was a one-off” and this sparked uproar amongst viewers.
The Antiques Roadshow presenter apologised, saying she had been “a passionate advocate and campaigner for all survivors of domestic abuse”.
She continued: “But following the events of last week, I have faced a social media storm, much of which mischaracterised what I said and took the form of personal abuse directed at me.”
According to The Sun, Ofcom figures revealed 854 complaints were made about the “context Fiona Bruce gave” during a discussion concerning domestic violence.
During the row, she had continued: “I’m not disputing what you’re saying, but just so everyone knows what this is referring to Stanley Johnson’s wife spoke to a journalist, Tom Bower.
“She said Stanley Johnson had broken her nose and she had ended up in hospital as a result.
“Stanley Johnson has not commented publicly on that. Friends of his have said it did happen, it was a one off.”
A BBC spokesperson told Express.co.uk: “Domestic abuse is abhorrent, and we would never wish to suggest otherwise.
“When serious allegations are made on air against people or organisations, it is the job of BBC presenters to ensure that the context of those allegations – and any right of reply from the person or organisation – is given to the audience, and this is what Fiona was doing last night. She was not expressing any personal opinion about this situation.”
After stepping down from the domestic abuse charity, she said: “It is with real sadness that I have decided to step back from my role as an ambassador for the domestic abuse charity Refuge.
“Last week on Question Time, I was required to legally contextualise a question about Stanley Johnson.
“Those words have been taken as an expression of my own opinions which they are absolutely not, and as a minimising of domestic abuse, which I would never do.”
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This is not the only time the Question Time host has faced calls to be “sacked”.
Back in November 2022 she was slammed for “biased” reporting whilst with police minister Chris Philp MP, Labour’s shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland Peter Kyle MP, editor of the Economist magazine Zanny Minton Beddoes, spoken-word artist George the Poet, and Conservative peer and chairman of Asda Lord Stuart.
The backlash seemed to reference a debate between the host and Lord Stuart.
Lord Stuart expressed his views on whether the asylum system in crisis, to which viewers felt Fiona did not look happy.
Twitter user @Cakeislovely tweeted at the time: “@bbcqt Fiona Bruce’s face is NOT one of impartiality.
“I refuse to watch the programme as won’t be fed Conservative bias on a weekly basis by her. She should be replaced sooner rather than later.”
@Loriagne2 fumed: “WHO THINKS FIONA BRUCE SHOULD BE REPLACED ON QUESTION TIME? HER BIAS IS EVERMORE APPARENT.”
The BBC has continued to defend Fiona following the backlash.
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