New BBC watchdog could launch probe into anti-Brexit bias

THE BBC yesterday rejected complaints of Brexit bias, despite a warning from more than 70 MPs that its coverage is falling ‘far short’ of the standard expected by the public.

In a dismissive letter, directorgeneral Lord Hall flatly denied that reporting was ‘skewed’ against the decision to leave the EU and praised the ‘extraordinary job’ done by journalists.

But last night former Cabinet Minister John Whittingdale warned that failing to address the concerns could lead to the BBC facing an investigation by the new media regulator within weeks.

Lord Hall’s staunch defence came in his letter to Tory MP Julian Knight, who lodged the complaint, insisting that the BBC went to ‘great lengths’ to maintain ‘impartiality’.

In a pointed rebuke, he added: ‘I agree with you that these are consequential times. For that reason, it is more important than ever that the BBC’s journalism is independent of political pressure.’

Ex- Culture Secretary Mr Whittingdale said the controversy could become the first test case for Ofcom, which takes responsibility for regulating the BBC from next month.

‘This represents a big test for the BBC right at the time when the new governing structure is coming into place,’ he said.

‘The fact that 70 MPs have questioned the impartiality of the BBC is a pretty serious matter a week before Ofcom assumes the task of regulation.

‘I think you could well see this system tested quite quickly unless we see some change in attitude. I have considerable sympathy with the feelings expressed in the letter.

‘The BBC’s coverage of the European issue since the referendum has given far too much weight to the risks and downsides and not nearly enough to the opportunities it presents and the good economic news we have seen.

‘That is an issue of concern and it should be an issue of concern to the BBC.’

The scale of the criticism of the corporation’s coverage is unprecedented in modern times.

Mr Knight’s letter was signed by 60 Tory MPs, three Labour MPs, eight Democratic Unionist Party MPs and Ukip MP Douglas Carswell, along with four peers.

Signatories included former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith and exCabinet Ministers Theresa Villiers, John Redwood, Owen Paterson and Grant Shapps.

Mr Knight, a former BBC journalist who voted Remain, said the corporation had fallen ‘far short’ of the high standards expected in recent months.

In his letter to Lord Hall, he warned that economic good news

‘Too much weight to risks and downsides’

has been ‘skewed by BBC coverage which seems unable to break out of pre-referendum pessimism’.

The MP said the tone of the reporting threatened to ‘undermine our efforts to carve out a new global role for this country’.

But former Cabinet Minister Nicky Morgan said the intervention was ‘chilling’. Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Tom Brake accused the MPs of a ‘worrying authoritarian streak’.

Lord Hall’s reply came just hours after the letter from Mr Knight was received, suggesting little serious consideration was given to investigating the concerns.

Downing Street refused to be drawn on the row, saying that editorial decisions were ‘a matter for the BBC’.