THE BBC is facing backlash after revealing it edited out a key part of an Angela Rayner’s interview amid concerns from Labour staffers.
Newsnight political editor Nick Watt asked Labour’s deputy if she would quit if found guilty of wrongdoing over the sale of her former council house back in March.
The BBC is facing backlash after revealing it edited out a key part of an Angela Rayner’s interview amid concerns from Labour staffers[/caption]
The broadcaster attempted to draw a comparison between her position and the one of Sir Keir Starmer, who in 2021 pledged to resign if found guilty of breaking Covid rules.
Ms Rayner dodged the question and Labour staffers later complained they did not see how Mr Watt could make a link between the two given she was not under police investigation unlike Sir Keir.
That exchange did not air until last Friday – when Greater Manchester Police said they would investigate Ms Rayner over claims she may have broken electoral law.
Mr Watt said: “I decided at the time for editorial reasons that we shouldn’t run that.
“But for transparency, I should say that the Labour team did after the interview raise concerns about that exchange.
“Because of course when I interviewed Angela Rayner, the police had said they would not be investigating this matter.
“So look, it was a different situation then, good editorial reason at the time not to include that exchange.
“But obviously, things changed today with that statement.”
Tory MP Greg Smith told The Sun: “What on earth is going on – how on earth can the BBC get away with cutting short an interview with Angela Rayner to save her blushes – only to be forced to release the full footage because of a police investigation?
“This is not what licence fee payers expect!”
A BBC spokesman said: “When the situation changed, including the police decision to investigate, we broadcast this exchange.
“We’ve covered this story impartially throughout.”
