Summary of complaint
We received complaints from people who thought Nick Robinson displayed bias against Nigel Farage and Reform UK.
Our response
The interview with Mr Farage was one of a series of interviews with seven party leaders ahead of the UK General Election. In common with all of the interviews in the series, Nick Robinson used the time with Nigel Farage to examine in detail the key policies his party had been championing and explore how they would be implemented should they be elected. The interview covered a range of issues, including Reform UK’s approach to NHS funding, immigration, tax and climate change. Nick also questioned Mr Farage on his track record, in terms of statements and judgements he has previously made.
Mr Farage played a pivotal role in campaigning for Brexit; in this context it was fair for Nick Robinson to discuss the consequences of Brexit with him.Β Similarly, given the significance of the war in Ukraine, it was appropriate for Nick to ask Mr Farage to explain views he has expressed in the past on Vladimir Putin;Β in doing this Nick read out a tweet Mr Farage had posted in 2022 and quoted remarks he had made about President Putin in 2014.Β
Mr Farage was given time to explain his position on these and all the other issues discussed, to elaborate on arguments he wanted to make, and to interject when he disagreed with something Nick had said. Mr Farage was also able to put forward Reform UK’s case more broadly.Β
The purpose of longer form interviews is to give the interviewee the opportunity to present their case, and for interviewers to test that case.Β As he has with all the party leaders, at times Nick Robinson pressed Nigel Farage to clarify points he was making - this was done courteously throughout.
The Panorama Interviews reached more than 9 million adults.Β Our audience research has shown that most viewers felt they were well conducted and gave the leaders plenty of time to express their views.
Overall, we believe Nick Robinson conducted this interview in the courteous, fair, duly impartial and thorough manner that our audience would expect from an interview with a political leader during an election campaign.