Complaint
As part of an item on the cost of living the programme interviewed Collette Osborne about the effect of increases in National Insurance and other taxes for small business owners like her. A viewer complained there was no reference to the fact Ms Osborne had stood for election as a Conservative Party candidate. The ECU considered whether the programme met the relevant BBC Guidelines on impartiality.
Outcome
The Editorial Guidelines say it should not be assumed thatcontributors to BBC output are unbiased or impartial, adding that, it may be necessary, when relevant, to give appropriate information about affiliations, funding or particular viewpoints. Although Ms Osborne was being questioned about running a business, her political affiliations could have been of potential relevance to viewers. However, it appears that after standing for election in 2023, Ms Osborne publicly rejected the Conservative Party and said that she would be voting for Labour. Consequently, her previous membership of the Conservative Party and candidacy was not of contemporary relevance.
Not Upheld