BNP COULD APPEAR ON QUESTION TIME AGAIN

The British National Party leader Nick Griffin could be invited back onto any of the broadcaster’s political shows up to once a year, he said.

Giving evidence to the House of Lords Communications Committee, Mr Thompson denied the controversial decision to invite Mr Griffin, an elected MEP, onto the show was about boosting viewing figures.

His appearance last Thursday attracted more than eight million viewers – around three times the usual number.

Mr Griffin could appear “on any of the programmes the BBC broadcasts which deal with UK-level politics in a way where we try carefully to reflect opinion across the spectrum,” he said.

Mr Thompson also said it was the BBC who initiated the invitation to Mr Griffin rather than the other way round.

Asked if the BNP had made a formal application to him, he replied: “No.”

Questioned on whether the BNP had been concerned they were being excluded, Mr Thompson replied: “You will have to ask the BNP what their view about this was.”

He said that in deciding to invite the BNP, the BBC believed and was advised “that the objective criteria that we would typically look to be fulfilled if we were inviting a minor party onto Question Time had been fulfilled”.