Tory MP accuses BBC of 'manufacturing' Conservative backbench Brexit rebellion
Steve Baker dismissed the evidence of a rebellion despite a Government U-turn
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Your support makes all the difference.A Conservative MP has accused the BBC of “manufacturing” a Tory backbench rebellion against the Government’s refusal to reveal its Brexit plan.
It was widely reported that as many as 20 Tory MPs could vote for a Labour motion calling on ministers to publish their proposals before triggering Article 50 – enough to defeat the Government.
Conservative MPs Anna Soubry and Ken Clarke were among MPs to publicly announce that they would back the motion – leading to a U-turn by the Government, which will now support the motion.
Despite the publicly available evidence of a rebellion Steve Baker however said the fact he had been contacted by BBC journalist was evidence of the Corporation was seeking to “manufacture stories”.
“I expect my Right Honourable Friend will be astonished if not aghast to learn that a succession of journalists from the BBC have contacted me seeking to create, to manufacture stories of backbench rebellion on the EU,” he said at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday afternoon.
“Will he agree with me that on these controversial issues the BBC should stick to its charter obligations on accuracy and impartiality instead of seeking to create problems for the Government.”
It is standard practice for political journalists to canvass MPs to ask which way are planning to vote – especially when a rebellion is likely.
Leader of the House of Commons David Lidington, who was standing in for Theresa May at PMQs this week, reacted with mock horror to Mr Baker’s suggestion.
“I am sure that my honourable friend is shocked, shocked, at the thought that anyone could look to him as a source of information about rebellions against the Government,” he said.
“I hope that he’ll be able to find some comfort in the fact that the new Royal Charter and agreement require the BBC to deliver impartial news, the very first time impartiality has been enshrined in the BBC’s mission.”
Yesterday Theresa May backed down in the face of the rebellion, having previously said she would not reveal her Brexit plans while negotiating in order to secure the best possible deal.
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