Fury as BBC boss 'tells staff to lay off Labour'

According to a well-placed source, the man in charge of BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today In Parliament told his staff that it was right to be ‘aggressive’ when things were going well for the Government but not when it was in trouble.

Some of those present were outraged by the comments attributed to Peter Knowles, editor of the BBC’s parliamentary programmes, at an ‘away day’ gathering in London.

Go easy: There was outrage after a BBC boss allegedly told reporters to 'lay off Labour'

‘He appeared to be saying the BBC should lay off Gordon Brown because Labour was in trouble,’ said a source.

‘It was appalling. The BBC should be rigorous and fair at all times. To suggest anything else – especially when a General Election is not far off – is extraordinary. It did not hold back when John Major’s Government was in trouble.’

BBC management strongly denied Mr Knowles had made the comments and said it was ‘absurd’ to claim orders had gone out to ‘go easy’ on Labour.

A spokesman confirmed Mr Knowles, 46, discussed political impartiality at the away day for staff on Radio 4’s Today In Parliament and Yesterday In Parliament. But he insisted the purpose was to stress the importance of avoiding political bias. ‘We do not discuss private team meetings,’ said the spokesman. ‘But any talks about the impartiality of BBC News are aimed at ensuring complete impartiality for all political parties, not the reverse.’

The BBC’s parliamentary broadcasts are closely monitored by MPs for any sign of bias. Mr Knowles – who also runs the BBC Parliament digital TV channel – has to deal with regular complaints from MPs angry that their speech has not been reported.

A senior BBC journalist said: ‘It is possible that Peter was trying to say that just because other parts of the media are going after Labour, the BBC should not follow suit for the sake of it. Peter is very experienced, maybe he did not express himself very well and some people got the wrong end of the stick.’

Mr Knowles was a producer on the BBC1 Nine O’Clock News during the first Gulf War in 1991 and was in charge of BBC Television News on the night of the death of Princess Diana.

He was strongly defended by fellow managers. ‘It is absurd to suggest anyone would stand up and say, “Look, we should abandon impartiality and go easy on the Government,” ’ said one.

‘Peter did not say that. It is not a version of events that he recognises.’