Racism row on Question Time as BBC deletes clip of Fiona Bruce calling a viewer a ‘black’ while the presenter apologizes for ‘causing offense’
- Fiona Bruce called Question Time viewer a “black man”
- She and the BBC have apologized after her description sparked a racism row
Current news program Question Time has become embroiled in controversy after the BBC deleted a clip in which Fiona Bruce referred to a viewer as a “black man”.
During the show’s broadcast on BBC One on Thursday night, the presenter asked a man in the audience to ask the panel his question – but her racist description was edited out when it was uploaded to iPlayer.
Ms Bruce, 59, and the BBC have now apologized for causing offense through her comments. The presenter said it was “wrong to identify him the way I did”.
The comments drew ire from people including former chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal, who posted the original clip on X, formerly Twitter, and wrote: “Let’s hear from the ‘black man’.”
She had asked the audience in Wolverhampton: “Is it right to ban mobile phones in schools?”
Current news program Question Time became embroiled in controversy after the BBC deleted a clip in which Fiona Bruce (pictured) referred to a viewer as a ‘black man’.
During the show’s broadcast on BBC One on Thursday night, the presenter asked a man (pictured) from the audience to put his question to the judges – but her racist description was edited out when it was uploaded to iPlayer
Fiona Bruce is pictured today with a black eye and her arm in a sling after falling off a horse in a recent accident
The BBC presenter, whose arm was in a sling after falling from a horse, answered a question in a “colorful top” and, in response to another viewer’s question, pointed to a “guy in the middle… the black one.” in the middle, yes, you, sir.’
No one in the studio responded to the comment and the viewer then asked a question about restricting mobile use in schools and government funding.
In the version of the show uploaded to BBC iPlayer, Bruce says: “The guy in the middle, yes you sir,” with the description “Black guy” removed.
The BBC has since confirmed that Ms Bruce’s comment was edited out and she has since apologized directly to the viewer. The presenter said: “I fully understand why my words last night caused offense and I apologize.”
“I spoke directly to the audience and explained that I can usually see and describe a piece of clothing or otherwise help sound engineers with a microphone find people in the audience.”
“That wasn’t the case last night as my vision was impaired. In the split second I had left, it would have been easiest to ignore the viewer and move on, but I felt strongly that his voice should be heard.
“However, I believe it would be wrong to identify him as I did and therefore it was removed from the subsequent editorial broadcast.”
Sitting in last night’s Question Time were (left to right) journalist and author Tony Parsons, writer Emma Dabiri, Shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth, presenter Fiona Bruce, Transport Minister Richard Holden and Icelandic supermarket manager Richard Walker
It is understood Ms Bruce’s personal apology to the audience was well received
It is understood Ms Bruce’s personal apology to the audience was well received.
A BBC spokesman said: “We regret the choice of words used to identify the viewer.”
“The intention was to ensure his voice was heard. However, we recognize that we should not have identified him in this way and apologize for any offense.”
“Therefore, the recorded version on iPlayer has been edited to remove this.”
Last night’s Question Time panel included Transport Minister Richard Holden, shadow paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth, writer Emma Dabiri, Icelandic supermarket manager Richard Walker and journalist and author Tony Parsons.