The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has been barred from attending Donald Trump’s press conference near London this week, days after a public clash between the broadcaster’s Americas editor, John Lyons, and the US president in Washington DC over his business dealings.
Downing Street and the Foreign Press Association (FPA) in the UK said the ABC was not targeted but moved to an overflow room along with other international outlets due to space constraints. The ABC’s London bureau was informed that its accreditation had been withdrawn for “logistical reasons”.
UK officials denied any link to Lyons’ questions, calling the suggestion “entirely untrue”. A decision was made on Monday to move the press conference indoors, reducing capacity. Ten of 15 overseas journalists originally accredited, including the ABC, were moved to an adjacent room, based on which organisations held UK parliament lobby passes.
Lyons drew Trump’s ire on Tuesday when he asked how much wealthier the president had become since returning to office. Trump accused Lyons of “hurting Australia” and said he would tell the Australian prime minister about the exchange. The Trump administration labelled Lyons a “foreign fake news loser” on social media.
Australia’s politicians supported Lyons, with the Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young accusing Trump of bullying. The ABC news director Justin Stevens said Lyons had the broadcaster’s full support, stating: “His job is to ask questions.”
