‘Talk about left-wing bias’ BBC fury as Andrea Leadsom erupts at Nick Robinson

Ms Leadsom took exception to BBC Radio 4 Today programme’s coverage of the 1984-85 miners’ strike led by Arthur Scargill of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) when Margaret Thatcher was prime minister.

The former minister accused Mr Robinson of left-wing bias, which he dismissed.

Ms Leadsom tweeted: “Unbelievable reporting by @BBCr4today about Scargill and Miners strike.

“Talk about left-wing bias!

“Scargill obviously one of @bbcnickrobinson‘s hero.

“His tone on Margaret Thatcher says it all.

“BBC neutral? I don’t think so.”

Mr Robinson replied to the Tory MP expressing his disappointment at the accusation.

The BBC presenter said: “This is beyond parody.

READ MORE: ‘Clearly biased!’ Furious Tory MP hits out at BBC

Nadine Dorries suggested she wanted to find a new funding model for the broadcaster after the current licence fee funding deal expires in 2027.

She told MPs: “It’s time to begin asking those really serious questions about the long-term funding model of the BBC.”

Ms Dorries also said that the BBC licence fee would be frozen for the next two years

Following the Culture Secretary’s announcement to MPs, the BBC’s director-general warned that adopting a subscription-based alternative could create a “commercial agenda” which would mean a substantial change to the corporation’s output.