At last, BBC covers story (just to downplay it)

THE BBC yesterday finally reported on allegations that Jeremy Corbyn had met a spy – but played down the claims.

The Corporation faced mounting criticism over its failure to cover the story after it broke last week.

Yesterday the BBC News website also reported on the claims for the first time.And the flagship Radio 4 news programme The World At One finally covered the row. But the story was based around an interview with Czech expert Svetlana Ptacnikova, who cast doubt on the allegations.

BBC Two’s Daily Politics also covered the story yesterday, asking Labour MP Louise Haigh about the claims.

And the Corporation’s website reported on Prime Minister Theresa May’s call for Labour leader Mr Corbyn to be ‘open and transparent’ about his alleged contacts with a Communist spy during the 1980s. However, at 6pm last night, the site listed it as only the 11th most important story of the day – behind items such as the closure of KFC branches thanks to a shortage of chicken.

Even the BBC News website’s specialist politics page listed it as merely the fifth most important news story.