BBC Question Time host Fiona Bruce finds herself at the centre of a storm after a heated exchange about Conservative Islamophobia left viewers demanding her removal from the flagship political programme.
The controversy erupted during Thursday night's episode filmed in Derby, where Energy Minister Andrew Bowie faced tough questioning from a Muslim audience member about his party's record on tackling anti-Muslim prejudice.
"Do You Think I'm Lying?" - The Confrontation That Sparked Outrage
The dramatic moment unfolded when audience member Turab Hassan directly challenged the Tory minister: "You've had numerous reports about Islamophobia in your party. You've had the Singh report, you've had the Swaran Singh report, and you've done nothing about it. Do you think I'm lying?"
As Bowie attempted to defend his party's position, Bruce intervened with what many viewers perceived as dismissive commentary, stating the minister was "doing his best to answer."
Viewer Backlash Erupts Across Social Media
The host's handling of the sensitive discussion triggered immediate backlash, with hundreds of viewers taking to social media to express their anger.
One frustrated viewer commented: "Fiona Bruce should be removed from Question Time. She constantly interrupts Muslim and ethnic minority audience members while allowing others to speak freely."
Another added: "The way Fiona Bruce spoke over that Muslim man and dismissed his legitimate concerns about Islamophobia was disgraceful. She's completely lost her impartiality."
Defenders and Critics Clash Over Bruce's Performance
While criticism dominated the online conversation, some viewers came to Bruce's defence, arguing she was maintaining order during a heated debate.
One supporter wrote: "Fiona Bruce is doing a difficult job managing passionate opinions from all sides. People are too quick to criticise."
However, the overwhelming response suggested many felt the veteran presenter had failed to handle the sensitive topic of religious discrimination appropriately, with numerous calls for the BBC to reconsider her position on the programme.
The incident has reignited debates about media representation, political accountability, and the challenges of discussing religious discrimination in mainstream political programming.
