BBC Radio 4 presenter Evan Davis raised eyebrows among listeners today as he appeared to make an anti-Boris Johnson quip live on air.
During a discussion about the 'party gate' scandals at Number 10, Evan referred to Downing Street as 'Drowning Street.'
His comments riled and amused his listeners, with many wondered if the broadcaster had broke the beeb's impartiality rules with an apparent gag.
During Thursday's PM show, Evan said: "In the last few minutes, Rishi Sunak is at a brief press briefing at Drowning.... Downing Street."
Minutes later, the presenter was forced to clarify his words after the sentiment was questioned by bemused listeners.
Taking to Twitter, one fan of the show called it 'a fantastic and revealing Freudian slip'.
"Pretty apt given #BorisJohnson 's present situation," mused another.
While a third joked: "I enjoyed #DrowningStreet Can we get it to trend?!" as others weighed in on the blunder.
Returning to the air, Evan was heard laughing as he announced: "Several of you saying I referred to Drowning Street not Downing Street just now.
"That is entirely a slip! Do not read anything into that!" he urged.
BBC presenters must adhere to impartiality guidelines.
The guidance states: “If a member of staff repeatedly likes or shares, without comment, content reflecting a particular point of view on a matter of public controversy...
"It might create the impression that individual agrees with that view."
The rule extends to social media accounts with Newsnight's Emily Maitlis having to apologise this week for a tweet she shared.
The presenter retweeted a post from former international development secretary Rory Stewart.
Stewart had slammed the Tories for the rhetoric similar to the style of former US president Donald Trump.
Emily told her followers: "I have deleted my earlier retweet of the below and would like to apologise for the hurt I have cause.d
“For the avoidance of doubt I accept I should have added extra context — it was retweeted in haste — and was wrong to do.”
