Julia Hartley-Brewer to feature on Question Time despite boycott
The broadcaster faced a slew of criticism after she was accused of publishing the address of a QC
Julia Hartley-Brewer will appear on Question Time, despite a campaign calling for viewers to boycott the BBC show, RadioTimes.com understands.
Viewers are threatening to switch off the BBC’s weekly debate show after the opinionated broadcaster was listed as a panellist for Thursday night's show.
Her inclusion in this week’s line-up has sparked controversy with the hashtag #boycottBBCQT gaining traction on Twitter.
The calls come two weeks after the TalkRadio host was accused of publishing the home address of Jolyon Maugham QC, a tax barrister who has brought to court a number of legal challenges to the Brexit process.
Maugham has since claimed to have received death threats after the leak, expressing his fury at the decision on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/JolyonMaugham/status/1181981966276673539
“Absolutely despicable of BBC Question Time,” he wrote. “A fortnight after Hartley-Brewer published the address of my family home, in a week in which she knew I had received death threats, our notional public service broadcaster puts her on its flagship.
“This is absolutely unforgiveable! How dare you reward her behaviour like that.”
Hartley-Brewer defended herself against the accusations on Twitter, writing: "Other people had already tweeted this same link to him, which was easily available on Google after a cursory 30 second search, as was the interview he did with the BBC all about his home giving its precise address, along with the 2 magazine interviews, all available online."
Some have pledged their support for Maugham by vowing to not watch tonight's show.
“This is wrong,” wrote one viewer. “Rewarding JHB with a platform is disgusting on every level.”
https://twitter.com/trevorw1953/status/1182169204528680960
https://twitter.com/timtron2020/status/1182200291355172864
https://twitter.com/WendyDaxieDog/status/1182197427291471872
“I won’t watch it any more. I catch the clips on Twitter that I need to see. Question Time has become the home of friendly, fireside fascism for far too long,” said another.
A BBC spokesperson told RadioTimes.com: “As is the case every week, the Question Time panel is made up of politicians, public figures, & political commentators to ensure a range of views. The panellists are questioned & challenged on a range of issues that our audience wants to debate on the night”.
Question Time has previously faced criticism for its panellists, with Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage taking a seat 33 times – sparking accusations the BBC is biased.
Conservative MP Grant Shapps, Labour MP Lisa Nandy, Extinction Rebellion spokesperson Rupert Read and businessman Theo Paphitis will join Hartley-Brewer and host Fiona Bruce in Beckenham this week.
Question Times is on BBC One, Thursday 10th October at 10:35pm