No 10 tells BBC to set the record straight on ‘misleading’ coverage

DOWNING Street last night called on the BBC to ‘set the record’ straight over its ‘misleading’ coverage of the Brexit divorce bill.

No 10 was angered by the Corporation’s claim that Theresa May had ‘bowed to pressure’ from the EU to hand over ‘up to £50billion’ to Brussels as part of a divorce deal.

Theresa May has dismissed newspaper claims the bill could rise to £50billion. The UK’s offer is thought to be about £40billion – far lower than the £90billion demanded by some in Brussels.

But on early morning bulletins yesterday, the BBC was still reporting the claim as fact. On a 6am bulletin on Radio 4’s Today programme, presenter Sarah Montague announced: ‘The Government has bowed to pressure from the European Union and offered to pay up to £50billion as part of the UK’s Brexit settlement.’ Later BBC bulletins toned down the claim. But the Prime Minister’s official spokesman suggested the BBC should offer a correction.

He told reporters: ‘I have never commented on speculation, of which there is much. I am confident if the BBC has ended up misleading the public with any of this speculation then... they would want to set the record straight.’

A BBC spokesman last night defended its bulletins, saying: ‘Our coverage suggests a possible range and reflects that No 10 has now “played down reports”.’