Channel migrants who appeared on BBC Question Time were coached by the charity Imix before the show, an investigation has revealed. Reform UK has criticized the BBC for including them.
Background of the Episode
The episode was filmed in Dover in December and featured two channel migrants, including an Iranian man who read a prepared statement about international law protecting refugees. Reform UK's then-policy chief Zia Yusuf said he was 'ambushed' on the show, which received over 1,000 complaints from viewers.
Role of Imix Charity
The Telegraph investigation found that the appearance of the two asylum seekers was overseen by Jenni Regan, Imix’s chief executive, who also asked a question during the show. One of the men, Ashraf, who has refugee status, said he fled Afghanistan as it was 'not safe'.
BBC's Response
The BBC stated that Imix was among several organizations approached before filming. Producers sought 'audience members that could give different perspectives on the debate about immigration in the UK'. The BBC said the episode aimed to encourage debate and that the migrants were challenged during the show.
Imix's Statement
A spokesman for Imix said: 'For the BBC’s Question Time immigration special, the programme approached local charities working in the sector, including Imix, to help include people with lived experience of seeking asylum in the audience. Helping journalists and productions connect with people with relevant experience is a normal part of what a charity press office does.' The spokesman added that both participants had legal refugee status and chose to take part voluntarily.
Reform UK's Criticism
A Reform UK spokesman said: 'It is no surprise that the Question Time: Immigration Special sparked so many complaints. The programme represented a clear failure of impartiality, editorial judgment and audience selection by the BBC. We are seeing an increasingly blatant pattern of bias from the taxpayer-funded broadcaster.' Reform UK questioned why the BBC gave a platform to men who entered Britain illegally to lecture the public on immigration.
