BBC Chief Presenter Apologises To Nigel Farage For Calling Speech ‘Inflammatory’

BBC chief presenter Geeta Guru-Murthy apologised to Nigel Farage on Tuesday after she described his language as “inflammatory” during a live broadcast.

The comment came as the channel cut away from Farage’s speech at a Reform UK press conference on migration in Dover.

During the speech, Farage, who is honourary president of Reform UK, defended his use of the term “invasion” to describe Channel crossings. He argued that migration had had “disastrous” effects in Malmo, Sweden, and said that, equally, Poland was “dealing with organised groups of very aggressive young men between the ages of 18 and 30” who had entered the country illegally.

“Nigel Farage with his customary inflammatory language there at a Reform UK press conference,” Guru-Murthy said, as Farage’s voice faded out and coverage returned to the studio.

She added: “He declined to stand for a seat. But we will have more on what Farage is saying.”

Farage then hit out at the BBC on social media, writing: “What happened to impartiality?”

Two hours later, Guru-Murthy issued an on-air apology, announcing: “Now, an apology. Earlier today we heard live from Nigel Farage, speaking at that election event we just saw. When we came away from his live speech, I used language to describe it which didn’t meet the BBC’s editorial standards on impartiality. I’d like to apologise to Mr Farage and viewers for this.”

Asked for comment by the Telegraph following the apology, Farage simply remarked: “Victory.”