Fiona Bruce’s comment attracted widespread criticism (Picture: BBC)
The BBC has defended Question Time’s Fiona Bruce against accusations that she trivialised domestic abuse during a discussion about Stanley Johnson.
The father of former prime minister Boris Johnson was described as a ‘wife-beater’ by journalist and panel member Yasmin Alibhai-Brown in Thursday’s episode of the show.
Alibhai-Brown was referring to claims made in a biography, The Gambler, in which it is alleged Johnson broke his former wife Charlotte’s nose.
In the book, it is alleged that the PM’s parents had a ‘violent and unhappy’ relationship before they divorced in 1979.
Bruce intervened to say friends of the 82-year-old had stated publicly that he had broken his wife’s nose, but “it was a one-off”.
She told Ms Alibhai-Brown and the audience: ‘I’m not disputing what you’re saying, but just so everyone knows what this is referring to, Stanley Johnson’s wife spoke to a journalist, Tom Bower, and she said that Stanley Johnson had broken her nose and that she’d ended up in hospital as a result.
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‘Stanley Johnson has not commented publicly on that. Friends of his have said it did happen but it was a one-off.’
The presenter has faced a social media backlash over the interjection, with public figures including Labour MP Kate Osborne and chief executive of Women’s Aid Farah Nazeer accusing her of downplaying the gravity of domestic violence.
In a statement on Friday, the BBC said: ‘Domestic abuse is abhorrent, and we would never wish to suggest otherwise.
Stanley Johnson is alleged to have broken his former wife’s nose (Picture: Getty Images)
‘When serious allegations are made on air against people or organisations, it is the job of BBC presenters to ensure that the context of those allegations – and any right of reply from the person or organisation – is given to the audience, and this is what Fiona Bruce was doing last night.
‘She was not expressing any personal opinion about the situation.’
‘International Women’s Day this week and Fiona Bruce trivialises violence against women: Stanley Johnson’s friends say ‘it was a one off’ that he broke his wife’s nose Disgraceful,’ Osborne said in a post on Twitter.
Bruce was accused of trivialising the alleged incident (Picture: Tayfun Salci/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock)
And charity boss Ms Nazeer said: ‘At Women’s Aid we were shocked last night to see the Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce state, in response to a comment that Stanley Johnson was a ‘wife-beater’, that ‘friends of his said it did happen, it was a one off’.
‘This comment was unnecessary and irresponsible. We know at Women’s Aid that domestic abuse is rarely, if ever, a “one-off”, with the vast majority of abuse being a pattern of behaviour that includes different forms of abuse… Even if abuse is an isolated event, it would have still been domestic abuse, and this should never be minimised.’
It comes after reports that Mr Johnson plans to nominate his father a knighthood.
Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, who also appeared on Thursday’s Question Time, said former prime ministers should ‘absolutely not’ include family members in their resignation honours list.
Domestic abuse helpline
If you are in immediate danger call 999. If you cannot talk, dial 55 and the operator will respond.
For emotional support, you can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. Alternatively, for practical and emotional support, please contact Women’s Aid Live Chat 10am – 6pm seven days a week.
You can also reach the National Centre for Domestic Violence on 0800 270 9070 or text NCDV to 60777.
For free and confidential advice and support for women in London affected by abuse, you can call Solace on 0808 802 5565 or email [email protected].
Male victims of domestic abuse can call 01823 334244 to speak to ManKind, an initiative available for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK as well as their friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues and employers.
Alternatively, the Men’s Advice Line can be reached at 0808 8010327, or emailed at [email protected].
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called the prospect ‘ridiculous’, telling LBC Radio: ‘The idea of an ex-prime minister bestowing honours on his dad – for services to what?’
He added: ‘The idea that Boris Johnson is nominating his dad for a knighthood – you only need to say it to realise just how ridiculous it is.
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‘It’s classic of a man like Johnson. I mean, I think the public will just think this is absolutely outrageous.’
Question Time airs Thursdays at 10.40pm on BBC One.
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The comment angered many.