Well known BBC presenter Fiona Bruce has quit her role as ambassador of domestic abuse charity Refuge over claims she trivialised domestic violence. It comes following a discussion on Question Time about 82-year-old Stanley Johnson - ex PM Boris Johnson's father - on Thursday night (March 9).
During the episode last week, British journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown said Stanley Johnson’s alleged history of violence was “on record” and he was a “wife beater”. Interrupting her, Fiona quickly went on to tell the journalist and the audience: “I’m not disputing what you’re saying.
"But just so everyone knows what this is referring to, Stanley Johnson’s wife spoke to a journalist, Tom Bower. And she said that Stanley Johnson had broken her nose and that she’d ended up in hospital as a result.
READ MORE: 'Rude' Hugh Grant slammed for Oscars red carpet interview with Ashley Graham
“Stanley Johnson has not commented publicly on that. Friends of his have said it did happen but it was a one-off.” The presenter of the BBC politics show went on to face backlash on social media after intervening on the programme.
This afternoon (March 13), it emerged that Fiona had chosen to step down from her charity role. In a statement given to the PA news agency, the former newsreader said that she was “required to legally contextualise” a response about Mr Johnson and the words are not an expression of her own opinions and she would never minimise domestic abuse.
She added: "I know survivors of domestic abuse have been distressed by what I was required to say on-air. For that, I am deeply sorry. I cannot change what I was required to say, but I can apologise for the very real impact that I can see it has had.
"I have been a passionate advocate and campaigner for all survivors of domestic abuse, and have used my privileged position as a woman in the public eye to bring this issue to the fore, notably in my work for over 25 years with Refuge.
"But following the events of last week, I have faced a social media storm, much of which mischaracterised what I said and took the form of personal abuse directed at me. The only people that matter in all this are the survivors, they are my priority."
The 58-year-old also said she did not want the issue of her "hard decision" to step down to create a “distraction” for Refuge, describing the move to pause her work with the charity as 'tough', as she feels “so strongly” about tackling domestic abuse. Fiona, who also hosts Antiques Roadshow, added: “I will continue to be an active supporter, albeit from the sidelines for now.”
In a statement on Friday (March 10), the BBC said: “Domestic abuse is abhorrent, and we would never wish to suggest otherwise.
"When serious allegations are made on air against people or organisations, it is the job of BBC presenters to ensure that the context of those allegations – and any right of reply from the person or organisation – is given to the audience, and this is what Fiona Bruce was doing last night. She was not expressing any personal opinion about the situation.”
In a statement, charity Refuge said: "Refuge's position was, and remains, clear - domestic abuse is never a 'one-off', it is a pattern of behaviour that can manifest in a number of ways, including but not limited to physical abuse. Domestic abuse is never acceptable.
"Over the weekend we have been listening to, and heard, survivors of domestic abuse who have told us how devastating this has been for them. While we know the words were not Fiona's own and were words she was legally obliged to read out, this does not lessen their impact and we cannot lose sight of that.
"These words minimised the seriousness of domestic abuse and this has been retraumatising for survivors. Survivors of domestic abuse are, and will always be, Refuge's priority.
"Our focus must remain on them. Every two minutes someone turns to Refuge for help and our priority is the women and their children who need us
"We have today accepted Fiona's offer to stand down from her role as ambassador for Refuge. We have thanked her for her considerable contribution over many years to Refuge and the wider domestic abuse agenda."
Fiona Bruce currently chairs BBC's Question Time, having succeeded David Dimbleby as presenter in January 2019. She had been an ambassador of Refuge for 25 years.
Refuge is the largest specialist domestic abuse organisation in the UK. On any given day, the charity's services support thousands of survivors, helping them to overcome the physical, emotional, financial and logistical impacts of abuse and rebuild their lives — free from fear.
READ NEXT:
- Oscars 2023 in pictures: Stars out for biggest night of the year
- Jonnie Irwin speaks out on A Place in the Sun return rumours
- ITV Dancing On Ice Oti Mabuse outfit defended after 'disgusting' comments during ITV grand final
- Rylan to host The Traitors spin-off for season two, say reports
- Lorraine fans congratulate star as she shares picture of new family member
