Viewers apologise to Clive Myrie as they plan to boycott BBC General Election coverage-Pierra Willix-Entertainment – Metro

Viewers have apologised to Clive Myrie for their plans to boycott the BBC’s General Election coverage (Picture: Ken McKay/ ITV/ Shutterstock)

Clive Myrie has received apologies from viewers who have said they plan to boycott the BBC’s coverage of the General Election.

Last week Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the next General Election would take place on July 4, setting six weeks of campaigning in motion.

The Tories have already announced some divisive pledges, but it turns out the national broadcaster is also feeling the heat after revealing which journalists would be fronting its coverage on election night.

This week the BBC shared an announcement on social media, revealing Myrie and Laura Kuenssberg would lead BBC TV’s coverage, alongside political editor Chris Mason.

However, viewers have said they planned to switch off after taking issue with the choice of one of the hosts.

‘I refuse to watch Laura Kuenssberg as she’s not impartial far from it,’ user Mark posted on X.

He will be fronting the coverage alongside Laura Kuenssberg (Picture: Jeff Overs/BBC)

‘Love Clive Myrie, but Kuenssberg? No thanks, I want to listen to someone impartial and with good political analytical skills. Channel 4’s line-upline-up is the best for that,’ someone else shared.

‘In over 30 years of voting I’ve always watched the election results on BBC1. This time though, I’ll be switching over as I can’t bear to watch it presented by someone so nakedly partisan as Tory Laura,’ Jonathan added.

Many others also apologised to Clive when explaining they’d be turning to other channels.

‘Can’t wait to avoid that one then,’ James posted.

‘Might as well watch Sky then,’ Kevin shared.

The backlash against the presenter comes a few months after the BBC stepped in to defend her following claims she showed ‘bias’ during an interview with a senior Labour politician.

Some disgruntled viewers claimed Kuenssberg ‘lacked impartiality’ (Picture: BBC)

The journalist, 47, rounded off a conversation with Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, 54, on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg on January 21 by stating that there were ‘plenty of people’ who ‘might disagree’ with her.

Soon after, viewers shared their thoughts on social media, believing the comments had revealed Kuenssberg’s own political leanings.

A few weeks later the BBC addressed the backlash in a statement and said that Kuenssberg ‘interviewed Ms Cooper in the courteous, rigorous and duly impartial manner that our audience would expect from a political interview.’

It added: ‘When Ms Cooper expressed her view on the importance of Labour being elected, it was fair for Laura to reflect that there are those who would disagree.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted BBC for comment.

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