Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce has faced backlash from at-home viewers after a fiery debate following Wednesday’s budget announcement.
The BBC host was joined by leading political figures to discuss the country’s reaction to a flood of new fiscal measures introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
As the show unfolded, Question Time’s audience took to social media, calling for Bruce to leave the panel.
The presenter was accused of deliberately “raising tensions” between the panellists and “interrupting” guests, sparking fury among those trying to follow the discussion.
In a post on X, one user wrote: “Fiona Bruce needs to [let] the panel talk. She’s clearly getting messages from producers to jump in. The programme is [becoming] a shouting match because she raised tension amongst the panel.”
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Another chimed in: “Fiona Bruce let your guests speak. Interrupting isn’t edgy or clever, it’s annoying and patronised. Stop it - this isn’t a debate, it’s a kicking.”
Reacting to a social clip of Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones on the show, commenters noted he was “interrupted many times by Fiona Bruce”.
Another demanded the presenter “let people speak” as the panel grappled for air time.
The show, broadcast on Thursday evening, featured Labour Cabinet member Darren Jones, Conservative MP Andrew Griffith, former Downing Street director of communications Sir Craig Oliver, Lib Dem MP Munira Wilson and businessman Sir Tom Hunter.
The panel faced a series of tough questions from audience members, covering economic policy, NHS reform and public confidence in Sir Keir Starmer’s government, among other topics.
Bruce became the first full-time female host of Question Time in 2019, succeeding long-time host David Dimbleby following his decision to retire from the show.
Earlier this year, she faced backlash from the studio audience after accusing Westminster SNP Leader Stephen Flynn of having “interrupted everybody here”.
A review of the programme found Flynn himself had been interrupted nearly 40 times during the show, by both fellow panellists and the presenter, leading MP Tommy Sheppard to accuse the BBC of demonstrating a “general antipathy” towards the SNP.
A subsequent episode of Question Time aired in June received a flood of complaints after Bruce was accused of repeatedly interrupting SNP MSP Kate Forbes.
