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More than 800 complaints have been filed with the BBC following Fiona Bruce’s statements on Question Time concerning Stanley Johnson’s alleged domestic violence.
Bruce, 58, participated in a conversation about an alleged incidence of domestic assault, since Johnson’s ex-wife had previously claimed that he fractured her nose.
Bruce clarified: “Stanley Johnson has not commented publicly on this matter.” According to his friends, the incident was a one-off.’
The statements caused strong reaction on social media, and she later apologised and said that she was resigning from her position as an ambassador for the organisation Refuge.
The station has recently disclosed that there were 854 complaints over “the context Fiona Bruce provided during a discussion of domestic abuse claims against Stanley Johnson.”
This is in response to what Bruce said in a statement announcing her retirement from her position at Refuge: ‘On Question Time last week, I was compelled to legally contextualise a question regarding Stanley Johnson.
‘Those words have been taken as an expression of my own opinions which they are absolutely not, and as a minimising of domestic abuse, which I would never do.’
She continued: ‘I know survivors of domestic abuse have been distressed by what I was required to say on-air. For that, I am deeply sorry. I cannot change what I was required to say, but I can apologise for the very real impact that I can see it has had.’
Bruce, 58, was attacked on social media after interceding when the father of former British prime minister Boris Johnson was referred to as a “wife beater.”
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, a journalist and panellist, stated that the 82-year-claimed old’s history of violence was “on the record.”
Bruce then interjected and explained to Alibhai-Brown and the audience: ‘I’m not disputing what you’re saying, but just so everyone knows what this is referring to, Stanley Johnson’s wife told a journalist, Tom Bower, that Stanley Johnson had broken her nose and that she had been hospitalised as a result.
‘Stanley Johnson has not commented publicly on that. Friends of his have said it did happen but it was a one-off.’
She later apologised, with a statement from Refuge including: ‘Fiona is deeply sorry that last night’s programme has distressed survivors of domestic abuse.’
Domestic violence is reprehensible, and we would never seek to suggest differently, according to a BBC representative. When significant claims are made on-air against persons or organisations, it is the responsibility of BBC presenters to provide the public with the context of those allegations, as well as the right of the accused to respond, as Fiona was doing. She did not offer a personal view about this matter.
In The Gambler, a biography of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, it is stated that his father Stanley fractured his mother Charlotte’s nose.
Charlotte is quoted as saying: ‘He broke my nose. He made me feel like I deserved it.’
When the book was published in October 2020, Stanley and Number 10 refused to comment, and Stanley was reported to have “seriously regretted” the alleged occurrence.
Question Time airs Thursdays at 10.40pm on BBC One.
Domestic abuse helpline
If you are in immediate danger call 999. If you cannot talk, dial 55 and the operator will respond.
For emotional support, you can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. Alternatively, for practical and emotional support, please contact Women’s Aid Live Chat 10am – 6pm seven days a week.
You can also reach the National Centre for Domestic Violence on 0800 270 9070 or text NCDV to 60777.
For free and confidential advice and support for women in London affected by abuse, you can call Solace on 0808 802 5565 or email advice@solacewomensaid.org.
Male victims of domestic abuse can call 01823 334244 to speak to ManKind, an initiative available for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK as well as their friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues and employers.
Alternatively, the Men’s Advice Line can be reached at 0808 8010327, or emailed at info@mensadviceline.org.uk.
Source My Celebrity Life.