BBC Sort-of Apology time!
The Andrew Marr Show, BBC One, 13 October 2019
21 October 2019
Summary of complaint
We received complaints from people who felt that Andrew Marr suggested Priti Patel was laughing during their interview.
Summary of complaint
We received complaints from people who felt that Andrew Marr suggested Priti Patel was laughing during their interview.
Our response
Guests who appear on the Andrew Marr show expect robust interviewing that includes back and forth between themselves and Mr Marr.
Andrew Marr commented on Priti Patel laughing after he glanced up while reading a list of business leaders concerned about the impact of Brexit on their industries. He thought he saw the Home Secretary smile but now accepts this was in fact her natural expression and wasn’t indicating amusement at his line of questioning.
There was no intention to cause offence and we are sorry if viewers felt this to be the case.
Andrew Marr commented on Priti Patel laughing after he glanced up while reading a list of business leaders concerned about the impact of Brexit on their industries. He thought he saw the Home Secretary smile but now accepts this was in fact her natural expression and wasn’t indicating amusement at his line of questioning.
There was no intention to cause offence and we are sorry if viewers felt this to be the case.
I did smile at the Summary, as if it's in the eye of the beholder whether Andrew actually suggested she was laughing when he said "I can't see why you're laughing" to her.
And I see the apology isn't to Priti Patel herself but to "viewers" who "felt" there was an intention to cause offence.
Still it's a sort-of apology, and that's better than nothing. Probably.
