BBC Question Time sparks Ofcom complaint as viewers call for Fiona Bruce’s ‘replacement’

BBC viewers were left raging minutes into Question Time.

BBC Question Time viewers call for Fiona Bruce’s ‘replacement’ (Image: BBC)

Fiona Bruce presented an hour of debate from Paisley, Scotland as the Question Time host was joined on the panel with the leader of the SNP at Westminster, Stephen Flynn; the leader of Scottish Labour, Anas Sarwar; the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Russell Findlay, journalist and commentator Angela Haggerty, and the former Conservative trade minster, Lord Malcolm Offord, who has defected to Reform. Just mintues into the programme, Fiona concluded it was “hard work” on this programme as she admittedly “struggled to get a word in edgeways” with the panel.

Social media users hit out at the host after the conversation turned to immigration. Viewers slammed the programme for having another Reform representative on the panel sparking an Ofcom complaint.

One X user fumed: “No Fiona Bruce, it’s you that’s hard work. You had the whole hour last week on immigration and here you are again pandering to Reform. @Ofcom#bbcqt.”

Another questioned: “Wildly off topic from the question! Why is Fiona indulging Offord and Findlay? #bbcqt.”

A user suggested: “Because there is a #BBCBias to Tories and Reform #bbcqt.”

A fourth remarked: “Fiona Bruce: ‘Since we’re talking about Reform policy ….’ Yes, you are. But why? You should be dealing with audience questions, not wandering off into a cosy chat about one party’s policies. #bbcqt”

While another added: “More disproportionate representation of Reform UK by a state funded media outlet. Shame on you. #BBCQT.”

A sixth said: “Fiona Bruce just can’t contain her glee at having yet another REFUK person on her panel. FFS.”(sic)

Lord Malcolm Offord recently defected to Reform UK (Image: BBC)

It comes after an audience member addressed recent reports that one in three people in Glasgow don’t speak English as their first language.

Social media users were unimpressed about another discussion on immigration.

Fiona commented: “This has come up because Nigel Farage, your new leader Malcolm, talked about the fact that 29 per cent of schoolchildren have English as a second language. He described it as the cultural smashing of Glasgow. Is that right Malcolm?”

Malcolm said: “I wouldn’t use that language.”

He went on to say that immigrants will need to integrate into British society.

Meanwhile, it didn’t take long for social media users to react to Thursday evening’s discussion as some called for the host’s replacement.

One X user fumed: “Replace Fiona Bruce with Victoria Derbyshire and I might just watch again #bbcqt.”

A second echoed: “Fiona Bruce needs replacing,” while a third shared a poll asking their followers if the BBC host should be dropped from Question Time.

However, others praised the BBC regular as one gushed:#”bbcqt well, that was exciting! Good night all x.” Another commented: “Well done Fiona.”