BBC chiefs have said they won’t be airing a pilot programme for the forthcoming Scottish Question Time-style debate programme which sparked fury over claims serial audience member Billy Mitchell was involved.
The show – shot in advance to test the new format – sparked a new wave of outrage after it was revealed by our sister title The National that the failed UKIP candidate, who had appeared on BBC Question Time four times, had been hand-picked to take part.
READ MORE: Question Time row: BBC 'reject accusations' of bias after backlash over UKIP candidate
BBC bosses at their Pacific Quay HQ in Glasgow moved to reassure members of the public that the Scottish Debate Night pilot featuring Mitchell will not air.
And they moved to justify their selection process again, after licence fee payers took to online and social media to question the corporation.
In a statement issued to heraldscotland.com today a spokesperson said: “Due to data protection rules, the BBC cannot routinely comment on any individuals who take part in productions.
"Pilots which are not going on air tend not to be advertised but they obviously still require an audience.
"A significant number of audience members who have currently or previously expressed an interest in taking part in our programmes were contacted to determine whether they would be interested in attending this non-broadcast pilot episode of Debate Night.
READ MORE: Billy Mitchell will not be returning to BBC Question Time
"It’s an efficient way of gauging potential audience interest in attending these types of events and of producing a non-broadcast pilot.
"People express interest and always as part of that process a research conversation takes place about the application. This is not the same as an invitation.
"We act in good faith during this process and expect potential audience members to do the same."
It is common practice for pilot programmes such as this to be created in the TV industry. However, the selection of Mr Mitchell on the pilot brought their procedures into question once again for many.
READ MORE: Comments from the audience: How our readers reacted to BBC Question Time
The BBC had come under fire after the failed UKIP candidate appeared on Question Time for the fourth time when it aired from Motherwell, even asking the panel a question.
Audience members usually go through a process of applying to be on the show while answering key questions about political affiliations, voting history and if they have been on the programme before.
READ MORE: Failed UKIP candidate claims he was personally invited on to BBC Question Time
After Mr Mitchell accused the SNP of being “hypocritical” in criticising the Conservative Party’s handling of Brexit, social media users expressed their surprise that he’d been allowed on the show again.
Mitchell had said he was invited by the BBC to fill the audience with more right-wing voices.
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