
The BBC has defended a Question Time broadcast that sparked outrage when viewers were stunned by audience members’ animosity towards transgender presenter India Willoughby.
Willoughby joined presenter Fiona Bruce, panellists Jenny Gilruth, John Lamont, Ian Murray, and writer Ella Whelan for a conversation about protecting female spaces on February 2.
During the programme, one audience member earned a standing ovation when she stated that ‘you can’t alter your gender’ and that trans women who have lived as women for years and had gender reassignment surgery should not be permitted in feminine single-sex areas.
They vented: ‘There are good men and there are predatory men, we should not allow trans into female spaces. There are good trans and there are predatory trans and that’s a fact.’
Hundreds of viewers were outraged by both the line of inquiry and the reactions of other audience members, while Willoughby compared the crowd to a “lynch mob,” saying, “I can’t see any other group being talked about in that way and everyone just sitting back and letting it happen.”
The BBC has now addressed objections, stating its panel and audience comprised people from ‘across the political spectrum’.
‘The intention was to have a respectful and polite discourse, while also appreciating that this is a highly sensitive matter, with concerns aired on both sides of the argument,’ the BBC stated in a post on its complaints board.
‘We heard major remarks from the Scottish government spokesperson about support for their legislative ideas on gender transformation, as well as from India Willoughby, a trans rights advocate, as we said in our opening.
‘Fiona Bruce treated all members of the panel fairly and intervened when necessary to keep the discussion on track. All panellists were given ample time to voice their opinions. We also heard a wide range of viewpoints from the audience during this particular debate.’
Following the programme, spectators backed Willoughby, applauding her for her fortitude in the face of a particularly angry mob.
Question Time airs Thursdays at 8pm on BBC iPlayer and 10.35pm on BBC One.