BBC Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce has announced she is stepping back from her role as an ambassador for the domestic abuse charity Refuge, following backlash over comments she made on last Thursday's show. In a statement, Bruce expressed her sadness at leaving the role, saying her words had been misinterpreted as minimising domestic abuse.
During the programme, Bruce intervened after panelist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown referred to Stanley Johnson as a 'wife-beater'. Bruce clarified that Johnson's wife had told a journalist he broke her nose, but noted that Johnson had not commented publicly and that friends described it as a 'one-off'. The remarks drew criticism from Labour MP Kate Osborne and Women's Aid chief executive Farah Nazeer.
Bruce apologised for the distress caused, stating: 'I know survivors of domestic abuse have been distressed by what I was required to say on-air. For that, I am deeply sorry.' She emphasised that her comments were required for legal context and did not reflect her personal views.
The BBC defended Bruce, saying she was fulfilling her duty to provide context and right of reply, and that domestic abuse is 'abhorrent'. Refuge has not yet commented on Bruce's decision to step back.
