Summary of complaint
We received complaints from people who thought that Nigel Farage was an inappropriate choice of guest, and that Laura didn鈥檛 sufficiently challenge him.
Our response
We regularly interview senior politicians and political leaders from across the political spectrum on the programme.聽 Nigel Farage was interviewed in his capacity as leader of Reform UK, a party who won 5 seats at last year鈥檚 general election, and has a rapidly growing supporter base.聽 As Laura explained, we also hope to speak to Kemi Badenoch, Sir Ed Davey and Sir Keir Starmer and other party leaders over the month ahead.聽
In the days leading up to the interview, Elon Musk had released a series of controversial posts on X attacking the government about grooming gangs. There had also been media attention on Mr Musk鈥檚 relationship with Nigel Farage, and speculation about whether he would donate to Reform. This interview was an opportunity for Laura to challenge the Reform leader on whether Mr Musk鈥檚 statements were appropriate as part of political discourse and on the misleading nature of Mr Musk鈥檚 claims about the child grooming gangs scandal.聽 She scrutinised in detail Mr Farage鈥檚 response to comments made by Mr Musk about the prime minister and Jess Phillips MP. Laura also 聽asked whether his reluctance to criticise Mr Musk was because there was the possibility that Mr Musk would donate money to Reform, and pressed Mr Farage on whether Mr Musk鈥檚 comments had crossed the line.聽
Laura made clear both during and after the interview the context of Mr Musk鈥檚 claims, and facts relating to this story.聽
Laura also used the 聽interview with Mr Farage to discuss Reform鈥檚 strategy for 2025 and his relationship with the incoming US President Donald Trump.聽
We also interviewed Labour鈥檚 Wes Streeting, who was given the opportunity to respond to Mr Musk鈥檚 criticism of his government colleagues, and on the panel we heard from former home secretary Alan Johnson who was given time to set out his thoughts on Mr Musk and Mr Farage.
We believe Laura鈥檚 approach to our interview with Mr Farage was both fair and duly impartial, allowing Mr Farage the opportunity to make his points, and also addressing issues important to our viewers.