BBC cancels tonight’s Have I Got News For You over ‘impartiality concerns’ after booking Change UK MP Heidi Allen

THE BBC cancelled tonight's episode of Have I Got News For You over impartiality concerns after booking a Change UK MP.

A post from the programme's Twitter account said the show was pulled because of upcoming elections to the European Parliament.

An episode of Would I Lie To You? was broadcast in its place.

A BBC spokesperson confirmed: "The BBC has specific editorial guidelines that apply during election periods.

"Because of this it would be inappropriate to feature political party leaders on entertainment programmes during this short election period, which does not allow for equal representation to be achieved.

"So we will not broadcast the scheduled episode of HIGNFY featuring Heidi Allen, leader of Change UK.

"We will look to broadcast this episode at a later date."

CHANGE UK LEADER

Heidi Allen MP resigned from the Conservative Party to join the newly formed pro-Remain Independent Group in February this year.

She was made the interim leader of the group, which is now known as Change UK, in March.

Several criticised the BBC's decision after Nigel Farage appeared on Question Time last night.

Andy Whateley wrote: "Nigel Farage on Question Time for the 34th time on Thursday is ok but Heidi Allen on Have I Got News For You on Friday isn't. Interesting decision."

Allen replied to Andy's tweet, saying: "Maybe I'm just not as funny as Nigel Farage eh #hignfy @haveigotnews!? He's so funny, he seems to be on the BBC all the time!

"An explanation would be appreciated, not least to acknowledge the hard work of the entire crew who worked diligently to put the show together."

Farage's appearance on Question Time, hosted by Fiona Bruce, would not break bias guidelines as Change UK's Anna Soubry MP and Labour's Jonathan Reynolds MP were also panellists.

SHOW INSIDER

A Have I Got News For You source said: "The BBC told us late this afternoon that they had decided to pull the show. This was because Heidi Allen was on the panel, and, in their judgement, we're officially in an election period. And she's officially a party leader.

"We tried everything we could to get the BBC to broadcast it. We even offered to blur Heidi Allen's face and replace her voice with an actor. Apparently that 'wasn't helpful'.

"It was a cracking show, and everyone at Hat Trick is sorry you're not going to see it tonight. We've always felt that HIGNFY is at its best when it bites the hand that feeds it. We're delighted the BBC appears to continue to agree.

"We wouldn't usually discuss our plans for next week's show this far in advance. But I reckon this story will probably come up. Do tune in. We'll be on next Friday at 9 on BBC1. Probably."

The tweet published by the show referenced current controversy surrounding comedian Danny Baker, who was sacked from his job on BBC Radio 5 Live after posting a joke about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's son featuring a picture of a chimp.

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