Keep it civilised, BBC

AT its best, the BBC’s Question Time is exemplary – ably chaired, hugely informative and thought-provoking.

Lately, however, studio audiences have become increasingly volatile, to the point where panellists struggled to be heard this week – and for the first time, a ranting heckler had to be asked to leave.

After the bear-pit bedlam of the televised election debates, we do hope producers are not deliberately seeking out angry extremists in the hope of boosting ratings. If they are, they do a grave disservice to every viewer who values the fine British tradition of civilised debate.