Complaint
A listener complained about the tone and content of an interview with the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.  The ECU considered whether it met the standards for impartiality set out in the Editorial Guidelines.  Â
Outcome
The guidelines recognise one of the roles of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ is to hold those in power and authority to account but say it should do so with consistency and due impartiality. Â
Listeners to a news programme such as Today expect politicians to face challenging questions and to have their views scrutinised.  Equally politicians who agree to be interviewed expect to face robust questioning, while having the opportunity to explain their opinions and policies.  As is frequently the case with such interviews, there were occasions when the presenter interrupted Ms Badenoch and pressed her to answer specific questions.  In the ECU’s view, however, she was given ample opportunity to set out her views in her own words and to respond to the issues raised.
Not Upheld