'Question Time' defends BNP appearance

Question Time executive editor Gavin Allen has defended last week's controversial appearance of British National Party leader Nick Griffin in the wake of widespread criticism.

Writing on the BBC News blog, Allen said that some media reports have slammed the programme as a "typical BBC conspiracy", with a staged studio audience to create a "lynch-mob mentality" around Griffin.

In response, Allen said that despite the greater profile afforded to this edition of Question Time, the programme still retained its usual format of audience-led questions and debate.

He added that due to the public preponderance with issues surrounding Griffin and the BNP, this meant that pertinent subjects such as the postal strike and the situation in Afghanistan were unfortunately pushed aside.

Following stricter than usual vetting procedures introduced for anyone wishing to join the Question Time audience, there have also been allegations of a lack of political balance shown by the BBC.

However, Allen stressed that a "broad cross-section of views and backgrounds" were represented in the studio, including various supporters of the BNP.

Despite the fact that Griffin's appearance helped Question Time attract 7.9m viewers - half the TV audience at that time - Allen dismissed notions of a ratings grab.

"Question Time has been going for 30 years and has very healthy viewing figures, rising to a recent record peak throughout the past series. The decision to invite Nick Griffin on to the programme had nothing to do with ratings," he explained.

"It had to do with our obligation to show due impartiality and the fact that only now has the BNP crossed a particular electoral threshold in securing European parliamentary seats."

Allen continued: "The key manner in which this was Question Time as normal is that it was unpredictable. Week in, week out, none of us involved in the programme has any idea how the audience will react, what will anger or amuse them.

"But amid all the normal unpredictability, one question remains the same every week. Did it work? And, as is the answer to everything with Question Time, you decide."