VIEWERS tuned in to Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer’s BBC debate on Wednesday night were greeted with poor sound quality, with loud shouts heard in the background throughout.
Sunak struggled to hear one question put to him from the audience amid the ongoing sound problems.
The issues sparked questions and jokes on social media, with SNP candidate Pete Wishart writing: “What's wrong with the sound on this leader's debate? A sort of strange effect with interference in the background. Bit like the pair of them…”
Are there protestors nearby, or is this taking place near a Wetherspoons?
— Geoff Norcott (@GeoffNorcott) June 26, 2024
Comedian Geoff Norcott also noted the noise problems, quipping: “Are there protesters nearby, or is this taking place near a Wetherspoons?”
And money-saving expert Martin Lewis said: "Clearly something going on in the background of #bbcleadersdebate – sounds like a protest, but you can't hear what, quite off putting – they should address it as we can hear it rather than ignore.
"Hope protestors stop disrupting the democratic debate."
Around ten minutes into the BBC debate, host Mishal Husain clarified for viewers that the sound issues were due to a protest outside but she did not elaborate further.
The BBC debate was broadcast live from Nottingham Trent University.
Pro-Palestine supporters in the English city had organised a demonstration outside.
The Nottingham Solidarity Group wrote on social media: “General Election debate protest in Nottingham started.
“We will not allow genocide enablers to go undisturbed in our city. Free Palestine!”
What the media aren’t showing you outside the BBC Sunak v Starmer debate at Nottingham Trent University pic.twitter.com/cxDkXYQ5kr
— Animah Kosai (@SpeakUpAtWork) June 26, 2024
One social media user shared a video of the protest saying it was “what the media aren’t showing you outside the BBC Sunak v Starmer debate at Nottingham Trent University”.
The National contributor Gerry Hassan wrote on social media: “Starmer v Sunak taking place on the BBC to the constant background noise of a pro-Palestinian protest outside.
“The sound of democracy and people exercising their rights.”
