BBC apologises after Andrew Marr suggested Priti Patel was 'laughing' during interview on Brexit

Rebecca Speare-Cole23 October 2019

The BBC has apologised after Andrew Marr accused Priti Patel of laughing during an interview about Brexit.

Mr Marr clashed with the Home Secretary as he put forward concerns about the UK's hardline approach to leaving the EU on Sunday.

The pair were discussing fears that businesses have over Brexit during a video link interview, when Mr Marr said: "I can't see why you're laughing."

But Ms Patel was not seen to be laughing during the exchange. She then ignored his comment and continued with her response.

Priti Patel was accused of laughing by Andrew Marr
BBC / The Andrew Marr Show

The corporation received 222 complaints about the incident and it has now accepted that the Home Secretary was not "smiling" but displaying a "natural expression".

During the interview, Mr Marr was listing a number of industry bodies worried about what will happen when the country leaves the bloc, including representatives from the chemical, aerospace and food sectors.

He said: “A lot of people who are actually at the forefront of trying to make this country earn its place in the world sent a letter to the government which I will now read out part of to you.

“They said that this proposal is a serious risk to manufacturing competitiveness and will result in huge new costs and disruption to UK firms."

Responding to the facial expression of Ms Patel, he interjected: “I can’t see why you’re laughing.

"It’s got the potential to risk consumer and food safety and confidence, access to overseas markets for UK exporters and vital future investment in innovation in this country, that is really big challenge to this plan.”

Ms Patel was criticised on social media for appearing to "smirk" during the serious discussion, however others defended her.

In a statement, the BBC wrote: "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."

The statement concluded: "There was no intention to cause offence and we are sorry if viewers felt this to be the case."

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