He was asked in Friday’s Q&A why his party attracts “racists and extremists.” And he was challenged on his stance on immigration and questioned over candidates the party has been forced to drop for making offensive remarks.
In a tweet on Saturday, Farage called the Question Time audience “rigged” and said he was refusing to appear on the Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg show unless the broadcaster apologizes.
“I have just been invited to appear on Laura Kuenssberg,” Farage said. “I’m refusing until the BBC apologizes for their dishonest QT audience.”
He also charged that the broadcaster “has behaved like a political actor throughout this election. Reform will be campaigning vigorously to abolish the license fee,” he added.
BBC presenter Fiona Bruce said audience represented “a mix of political sentiments.”
It emerged on Saturday that three Reform UK candidates have been dropped by the party for making offensive comments, after being criticized by Farage in Friday’s Question Time session. The three are: Edward Oakenfull, who is standing in Derbyshire Dales; Robert Lomas, in Barnsley North; and Leslie Lilley in Southend East and Rochford, according to media reports.