Latest news with #QuestionTime
The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
From the editor: Why we can't 'just ignore' Nigel Farage
Over the last few days and weeks, we've been hearing from readers asking us to "stop giving Nigel Farage publicity" by covering news on his interventions in Hamilton, or reporting on Reform in general. We won't be doing that. No-platforming Farage will only help Reform. There is a difference between freely providing a platform to someone and responsible reporting. Our aim is to provide the latter. Why we'll keep covering Nigel Farage The time for debating whether Farage has had too much media platforming is, unfortunately, over. He did. Undoubtedly. Without the BBC and his endless invitations to Question Time we wouldn't be here now. Farage's ability to get on camera and say whatever he wants without being challenged should, frankly, be studied. The fact is, now it's 2025 and he is going to be the next PM if polling is anything to go by. It's too late to "just ignore him". An SNP figure suggested to me this week that if all UK media agreed to stop covering Farage and Reform, his rhetoric would be defeated. Honestly, having thought about it, I don't know if that would even reduce his reach at this stage. Maybe that would have worked 20 years ago, but more and more people are getting their news from social media. It's a completely different landscape. For instance, everyone knows who Tommy Robinson is, and he has a big influence on UK politics despite the "mainstream media" not inviting him onto panel shows and radio broadcasts. Or think of someone like Andrew Tate. He had an absolutely massive profile, but I'd not once seen him in a traditional paper or news programme until allegations were made against him. Regardless, in what world would all UK media outlets stop covering Farage? The same media that so regularly cheers on his anti-migrant rhetoric is not going to go for that, regardless of any moral pressure. So, maybe, you could argue that The National alone takes a stand and stops reporting on Farage. My response to that is we'd be silencing one of the few critical voices holding him accountable, leaving the friendly titles to cover Farage with no other perspective or fact checking. And who would that benefit? READ MORE: Gerry Adams wins €100k payout after BBC libel trial So what is The National doing about it? Nigel Farage is a person who needs to be held to account. That's exactly how The National plans to cover Reform UK. We won't simply provide them with a platform to say whatever they want unquestioned. I KNOW people are frustrated seeing Farage's face all over the newspaper. People similarly send me emails complaining that Keir Starmer is in the paper too often, or Donald Trump ... the truth is these are people with power. Putting our fingers in our ears and singing "la la la" instead of being informed about their actions and the following consequences doesn't actually stop them, as much as it might provide a false sense of relief. So we'll be covering Reform and Farage, yes. We cannot simply ignore and wish them away. Good reporting that challenges and disproves the right's lies is needed. And that's what we aim to do as we go into next week's Hamilton by-election, and in the future.
The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
Second legal action launched against EHRC over trans guidance
Campaign group Liberty said it has submitted legal papers to the High Court alleging the Equality and Human Rights Commission's (EHRC) six-week consultation period on the new guidance is 'unlawful', with anything less than 12 weeks 'wholly insufficient'. The Supreme Court ruled in April that said the words 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex, and a trans person acquiring a gender recognition certificate (GRC) did not allow them to access single-sex spaces. READ MORE: Comedian faces private prosecution over social media posts The equalities regulator published draft guidance earlier this month which said that trans people could be excluded from single-sex spaces which align with their acquired gender, but also that they could also be legally excluded from spaces which align with their birth gender. However, it also said trans people "should not be put in a position where there are no facilities for them to use". The EHRC at that stage said it had tripled the length of time for feedback from an original proposal of two weeks, 'in light of the level of public interest, as well as representations from stakeholders in Parliament and civil society'. But Liberty is arguing this is not long enough and 'there is no good reason why it should not be' at least 12 weeks. The human rights organisation said it sent a pre-action letter to the EHRC earlier this week and has now submitted legal papers to the High Court and is waiting to see if a judge decides whether to proceed to a hearing based on its arguments. The group said it is also arguing that by having a consultation period shorter than 12 weeks, the commission is 'in breach of the public sector equality duty (PSED)' to 'eliminate unlawful discrimination'. Jolyon Maugham is the director of Good Law ProjectThe latest attempted legal challenge comes two weeks after campaign group the Good Law Project (GLP) said it had taken the first step of a legal challenge against the commission over the aspect of the guidance related to trans people's use of toilets, which it is arguing is 'wrong in law'. Further EHRC draft guidance earlier this month indicated a birth certificate could be requested by a sports club or hospital if there is 'genuine concern' about what biological sex a person is. It said people can be asked to confirm their birth sex if it is 'necessary and proportionate for a service provider, those exercising public functions or an association to know an individual's birth sex to be able to discharge their legal obligations'. It cautioned that any such question 'should be done in a sensitive way which does not cause discrimination or harassment'. The commission added that if there is 'genuine concern about the accuracy of the response to a question about birth sex, then a birth certificate could be requested'. READ MORE: 'Do something!': Question Time audience member in fiery row with Labour MP on Israel The consultation on the draft guidance runs until June 30, with women and equalities minister Bridget Phillipson likely to be presented with the finished guidance for approval in July. Akiko Hart, Liberty's director, said: 'We have taken legal action today because the consultation period set out by the EHRC is unlawful. 'As a public body, the EHRC has a legal duty to conduct a fair and lawful consultation process that allows everyone affected by a decision enough time to respond to it. 'Instead, they have tried to speed through sweeping changes to their guidance, initially giving just two weeks to people to respond to nearly 60 pages of amendments when printed out. Anything less than a minimum of 12 weeks on this issue is wholly insufficient and simply does not comply with the law. 'The EHRC's guidance will have life-changing implications for how all of us access vital services, from jobs, schooling, social clubs we might join, all the way up to how the armed forces operate. In particular, it will fundamentally change the ways in which trans people are able to safely participate in society, as well as how businesses and service providers operate. 'It is a fundamental part of our democracy that we are all given a fair opportunity to make our voices heard about any decision that impacts us. We urge the EHRC to extend the consultation period to at least 12 weeks, just as its previous consultation on this code of practice was. There is no good reason why it should not be.' The EHRC has been contacted for comment. Previously, responding to Good Law Project's legal action, it said: 'We are unable to comment on any threat of legal action at this stage.'
Edinburgh Live
a day ago
- Politics
- Edinburgh Live
Fiona Bruce forced to intervene as BBC guest yells 'do something'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Question Time's Fiona Bruce was compelled to interrupt the BBC programme when an audience member persistently implored: "Do something!" The show witnessed a fiery exchange on Thursday evening as Labour's transport secretary Heidi Alexander encountered a tough question on the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict from a woman in the audience. The tension mounted when the woman, starting off composed, accused the Labour Party of betrayal: "I feel such a sense of betrayal from the Labour Party. I would never vote Tory, I would never vote UKIP [Reform UK] and I used to vote Labour. "Why are you still friends with Israel, an apartheid state, and why are you still- why is the Labour Party still sending components of F-35 weapons to Israel that are killing and targeting babies, children, hospitals, schools? Enough of this rhetoric about being anti-Semitic if you support Palestinian babies and children." The scenario intensified, prompting Fiona to intervene, saying: "Okay, okay, let's let Heidi answer." However, the audience member pressed on: "Wait! I just want to ask Tim [Montgomerie] something as well." Fiona had to cut in: "Well hang on, because I've only got about 30 seconds left, so I'm going to let Heidi answer, forgive me." Despite the interruption, the woman continued: "And then please-" but Fiona relented, "If I have time, but I must let Heidi answer that." Attempting to refute the claim, Heidi started: "We're not sending F-35 components-" (Image: BBC) Yet she was sharply interrupted by the insistent audience member, reports the Express. They asserted: "You are still sending components of F-35 weapons, yes you are." Fiona interjected with: "Let her answer," amid uproar, but the disgruntled audience member continued, vociferously proclaiming: "You have reduced weapons by only 8% to Israel! By 8%!" which led Fiona to concede: "I hear your passion, I must let her answer." Heidi managed to voice her view amidst the clamour: "I find it as sickening and as harrowing as every single person in this audience seeing those images on television of children wandering around rubble who are never going to find their parents and who are being starved to death. That is why we have got to find a way-" but was swiftly interrupted again as the passionate spectator interjected: "Do something!" (Image: BBC) Nevertheless, Heidi continued: "-of finding a sustainable solution to the region and lasting peace, and getting significant humanitarian aid in. Because none of us want to wake up tomorrow and see those scenes on our television screens, and I think every single one of us on that panel would agree with that sentiment." Concluding the discussion, Fiona remarked: "Listen, we will come back to the subject of Gaza, there is no question about that. "We've covered it many times and we will cover it again, and I hear your passion about this subject and everyone on the panel understands that you feel very strongly about it." Question Time is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Politics
- Wales Online
BBC's Fiona Bruce tells Question Time guest 'hang on' in heated debate
BBC's Fiona Bruce tells Question Time guest 'hang on' in heated debate BBC Question Time host Fiona Bruce was forced to intervene as one guest screamed "do something" at Labour's transport secretary Heidi Alexander on the panel. Fiona Bruce was compelled to momentarily halt the proceedings of BBC's Question Time as a persistent audience member demanded action, imploring: "Do something!" The scene unfolded on Thursday night, when during a fervent exchange on the Israel-Palestine conflict, a woman confronted Labour's transport secretary Heidi Alexander, questioning the party's relationship with what she called "an apartheid state." The interaction commenced with the audience member expressing a sense of betrayal, they said: "I feel such a sense of betrayal from the Labour Party. "I would never vote Tory, I would never vote UKIP [Reform UK] and I used to vote Labour. Why are you still friends with Israel, an apartheid state, and why are you still- why is the Labour Party still sending components of F-35 weapons to Israel that are killing and targeting babies, children, hospitals, schools? Enough of this rhetoric about being anti-Semitic if you support Palestinian babies and children." BBC's Fiona Bruce tells Question Time guest 'hang on' in heated debate Casualty star Olly Rix addresses future on BBC medical drama READ MORE: As tensions mounted, Fiona stepped in, stating: "Okay, okay, let's let Heidi answer." When the woman attempted to question panelist Tim Montgomerie, Fiona interjected: "Well hang on, because I've only got about 30 seconds left, so I'm going to let Heidi answer, forgive me." Despite Fiona's attempt to steer the discussion back, the woman pressed on, reports the Express. She said: "And then please-" prompting Fiona to respond: "If I have time, but I must let Heidi answer that." Heidi Alexander was barely allowed to get her words out (Image: BBC ) Heidi tried to clarify the Labour Party's position, stating: "We're not sending F-35 components-" but was interrupted by the insistent audience member who countered loudly: "You are still sending components of F-35 weapons, yes you are." Fiona stated: "Let her answer," despite the disruption, as a woman in the audience passionately interjected. They continued: "You have reduced weapons by only 8% to Israel! By 8%!" while Fiona acknowledged: "I hear your passion, I must let her answer." Heidi was granted a moment to speak, saying: "I find it as sickening and as harrowing as every single person in this audience seeing those images on television of children wandering around rubble who are never going to find their parents and who are being starved to death. "That is why we have got to find a way-" but an interruption followed, with the same audience member calling out: "Do something!" Heidi Alexander was barely allowed to get her words out (Image: BBC ) Undeterred, Heidi continued: "-of finding a sustainable solution to the region and lasting peace, and getting significant humanitarian aid in. "Because none of us want to wake up tomorrow and see those scenes on our television screens, and I think every single one of us on that panel would agree with that sentiment." Article continues below Wrapping up the segment, Fiona said: "Listen, we will come back to the subject of Gaza, there is no question about that. "We've covered it many times and we will cover it again, and I hear your passion about this subject and everyone on the panel understands that you feel very strongly about it." Question Time is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
The National
a day ago
- Business
- The National
Scotland business confidence higher than UK average
The Bank of Scotland's Business Barometer shows confidence in Scotland rose 12 points during May to 52%, compared to overall UK business confidence which rose by 11 points to 50%. This represents a 12% increase in confidence in Scotland compared to April. While companies in Scotland reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down four points at 57%, optimism in the economy rose 29 points to 48%, which analysts said 'gives a headline confidence reading of 52%'. READ MORE: 'Do something!': Question Time audience member in fiery row with Labour MP on Israel The Business Barometer, which surveys 1200 businesses monthly and which has been running since 2002, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. Overall, UK business confidence increased 11 points in May to 50% – its highest level since August 2024. Firms' optimism in their own trading prospects strengthened six points to 56%, while confidence in the wider economy also climbed 16 points to 44%. In a six-month forecast, Scottish businesses identified target areas for growth as evolving their offering, for example by introducing new products or services (56%), investing in their team, for example through training (48%) and introducing new technology, for example AI and automation (36%). The East Midlands in England was the most confident area in the UK's nations and regions in May (66%), followed closely by the north east of England (65%). Martyn Kendrick, Scotland director at Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking, said: 'Scottish business confidence has not only continued to rise, but has now remained above the UK national average for a sixth month in a row. 'Our country's businesses are setting out clear plans for growth, with more firms planning to take steps such as launching new products and services than anywhere else in the UK. 'This reflects a business community that has innovation and ambition in its DNA. We'll continue to support local businesses as they turn their plans into action.' READ MORE: Gaza ceasefire talks continue as Israel issues forced displacement orders Hann-Ju Ho, senior economist at Lloyds Commercial Banking, said: 'The rebound in business confidence suggests that firms might be in a stronger position for the next quarter. 'The rise in confidence is driven by a sharp increase in economic optimism, reflecting the recovery in financial markets amid more promising prospects for potential global trade agreements. 'Equally as encouraging is the fact that trading prospects, wage expectations and hiring intentions also saw improvements this month. The positive trends in these metrics are important signals for potential growth and resilience in the business community and the wider economy. 'While we know that fluctuations do occur month on month and the global economic outlook remains uncertain, this month's increase in confidence is an encouraging sign.'
