THE BBC’s Question Time is facing criticism over its panel selection as journalist Kate Andrews appeared on the programme yet again.
Kate Andrews, who works as economic editor at The Spectator magazine, appeared on Thursday night’s programme in Kelso for her third appearance since November 2022 and her thirteenth overall.
She also previously worked as an associate director for the think tank the Institute for Economic Affairs - which bills itself as "the UK's original free-market think-tank".
We previously told how the think tank was supportive of Liz Truss's economic vision while it has also come under fire for an alleged lack of transparency although its website says it is "entirely independent of any political party or group".
The panel discussed a range of issues, including Scottish independence, the economy and education.
However, a number of people on social media appeared to take issue with Andrews’s appearance.
“It would be wrong to say there is no money left, there is so much money… it's being used to plug the gap for short-term issues” Journalist Kate Andrews questions Labour’s proposed infrastructure plans saying "we need the details"#bbcqt https://t.co/2uY4ciQ6Kc pic.twitter.com/CiUDIc3YDW
— BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) December 14, 2023
Among them was Lancaster councillor Jack Lenox, who posted on Twitter/X: “Just your regular reminder that as Kate Andrews makes her third appearance in 13 months on Question Time, the Green Party have appeared just once during the same period.
“But it’s heartening to see the Tory Rwanda policy is so craven they have apparently lost even her support.”
Lenox added that it was “great” to hear a Scottish audience “demanding fair votes through proportional representation”.
Elsewhere, co-founder of Novara Media Aaron Bastani joked: “What does Kate Andrews have on the BBC Question Time producers? She’s been on so many times…
“Her colleague at The Spectator, Fraser Nelson, has been on the panel *15 times*.”
Meanwhile, Alastair Campbell was also left fuming with the BBC over the decision to have Andrews on the panel.
He said: "'Journalist and broadcaster,' says the caption. She is not a journalist. She is a right wing think tank propagandist. And she is only a 'broadcaster' because the BBC put her on TV a lot."
The criticism comes after leading journalist George Monbiot took to social media following his appearance on the show last week where he said the BBC has “appeased” far-right extremists and the “Tufton Street junktanks” even if “they all profess to hate the BBC and want to defund it”.
Many other users also commented on Andrews’ appearance with one writing: “Constant, now increasing, verifications for why me & so many others just stopped watching this stage-managed biased farce.”
“Why don’t they just make Kate Andrews chair,” one person said while another user joked: “I think she may actually be the host now”.
On the Question Time website, the BBC explains how panel members are selected.
It says: “Each week, Question Time aims to select a panel with a broad range of views, knowledge and experience, with panellists who are relevant to the big stories or debates of that week.”
The National has approached the BBC for comment.
