The BBC has intervened after the Conservative Party tried to charge £10 for entry to a leadership debate that the broadcaster is hosting. According to The Telegraph, the Tories planned to impose the fee to encourage attendance at the event.
However, the BBC objected, stating that such a move would violate its guidelines. Charging for tickets to a political debate is against the broadcaster’s practices.
The Leadership Debate
The debate, part of a Question Time special hosted by Fiona Bruce, is set to take place next Thursday. Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick are expected to participate after James Cleverly was eliminated from the leadership race.
The BBC has confirmed that half the audience must be made up of recent Conservative voters, with the other half coming from a mix of political backgrounds.
Jenrick expressed his excitement to participate in the debate via social media, while Badenoch is awaiting a final decision from the Conservative Party headquarters (CCHQ).
Peter Stefanovic’s Reaction
Commenting on the situation, political commentator Peter Stefanovic criticised the move, saying, “They literally have no shame.” He called out the attempt to charge for tickets as a breach of public trust, emphasising that political debates should remain accessible to all.
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