Laura Kuenssberg claims BBC management “never directed me what to say or what not to say” in response to Emily Maitlis’ assertion that the corporation was “infiltrated by the Tories.” Beeb ruled that she violated impartiality standards on Dominic Cummings’s “monologue”
A verbal conflict erupted between Maitlis and BBC
after she criticized her former employer for reprimanding her.
Following a monologue, BBC ‘attempted to ap
pease’ No. 10 by delivering an apology, according to Maitlis.
Today, however, Laura Kuenssberg stated that she has “never been directed what to say” and that her job is to “discover the truth.”
In a previous interview, David Dimbleby similarly criticized Maitlis’ monologue as “polemic” and “a mistake.”
Laura Kuenssberg claims BBC management “never ordered me what to say” after former colleague Emily Maitlis claimed the “Tory-infiltrated” corporation determined she violated impartiality standards for her “monologue” on Dominic Cummings on Newsnight.
This week, Maitlis and the BBC engaged in a verbal battle when she criticized her old employer for reprimanding her after the 2020 broadcast on Boris Johnson’s then-chief adviser.
She had opened Newsnight’s report by stating that the people felt “like fools” for adhering to lockdown regulations, only for Mr. Cummings to “flout” them by going 260 miles to County Durham.
Maitlis, who left the BBC this year to join the media conglomerate Global, stated this week that the organization had “attempted to appease” No. 10 by delivering an apology “within hours.”
She also inquired as to whether the BBC was delivering a reassuring message straight to the government.
Prior to Maitles’ comments, however, Kuenssberg stated in an interview with The Sunday Times that she had “never been directed what to say” and that the purpose of BBC journalists is “to find the truth.”
People say, “Well, you can’t do this and you can’t do that; you’re severely limited.” For me, this is completely backwards, as the entire premise of the BBC is that you don’t follow the line; all you do is seek the truth.
I’ve never been told what to say or, perhaps more crucially, what not to say.
It comes after David Dimbleby harshly criticized Maitlis’ monologue as ‘polemic’ and ‘a blunder’ in an interview with the Today show of the same organization.
Today, Laura Kuenssberg (seen at Turn The Tables 2018 in London) took a veiled shot at former colleague Emily Maitlis’ allegations against the BBC.
A battle of words has erupted between Maitlis and the BBC after she criticized her former employer for disciplining her after the Newsnight monologue about Dominic Cummings’ trip to Barnard Castle.
In October 2017, Laura Kuenssberg and a security guard left the The Midland Hotel during the Conservative Party convention.
“I’ve never been coached what to say”: The Times’ whole interview with Laura Kuenssberg
On BBC objectivity
People say, “Well, you can’t do this and you can’t do that; your options are severely limited.” For me, this is completely backwards, as the entire premise of the BBC is that you don’t follow the line; all you do is seek the truth.
I’ve never been told what to say or, perhaps more crucially, what not to say.
Regarding Boris Johnson’s reign
He will always be regarded as a prime minister of immense importance.
‘Because, whatever of how you feel about the UK’s choice to leave the EU, it’s arguable that his involvement tilted the balance, but it’s also arguable that if he hadn’t won the Tory leadership in 2019, Brexit would not have occurred.
Thus, he will have a substantial part in British history. Then being the prime minister in command during the pandemic, not to mention the prime minister who nearly died from the sickness.’
On Liz Truss
She has frequently been looked down upon by others whom she has then outwitted or outlived. She is a resilient individual.
‘She is (or is willing to be) unyielding, shape-shifting, pragmatic, and eager to have a little fun at her own expense.’ She is instinctual.
On online abuse
There is no dispute that social media is poisonous.
‘I use it a lot less. A journalist should not be idly scrolling their screen, but instead should be on the phone, meeting people, or going to investigate.”
It’s a matter of importance. How should I spend my time? Does it monitor notifications? No, switch off your notifications and avoid searching for yourself on Google.
“The way I’ve dealt with it is that I essentially don’t look at it. Accepting valid criticism is one thing, but I have better things to do than to give air or mental space to folks who behave like schoolyard bullies.
On upbringing and entering the profession
If you work hard and are kind, you might be able to accomplish very remarkable feats.
Because hard work is likely the most undervalued quality. Grafting is not discussed as frequently as it should be when people ask, “How did this individual achieve this position?”
“And I was raised to believe that you should live a life of significance.”
People’s knowledge of the truth is vitally crucial in any nation, according to my gut instinct.
The 83-year-old veteran Question Time host and television personality stated that the monologue should have been written as questions rather than as statements.
During his controversial opening remarks, Maitlis stated in May 2020, ‘It is amazing that the administration cannot see that Cummings broke the rule, because the entire nation can see it.
The public sentiment consists of anger, disdain, and anguish.
Mr. Dimbleby stated on the Today show, “Well, not everyone may have been surprised… perhaps, but it is a question to pose.” It was a debate. I believe that was a mistake.
Maitlis’s remarks followed the disclosure that Cummings traveled from London to Durham after testing positive for coronavirus, including a now-infamous stop at Barnard Castle. At the moment, the Prime Minister supported Mr. Cummings, who later resigned in November 2020.
In two days, the BBC received more than 40,000 complaints over the show, both from those angered by her remarks and by the BBC’s decision to imply it had violated the regulations.
However, Kuenssberg emphasizes that the BBC condemns those who suggest that the BBC’s neutrality is restrictive, adding that the BBC is still “the trusted friend” for news stories.
Kuenssberg was speaking before to presenting Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, the BBC’s premier Sunday political program, following the November departure of Andrew Marr.
In December, she resigned from her $260,000-per-year position as political editor after seven years.
Regarding her interactions with Boris Johnson, she stated, “He will without a doubt always be regarded as a prime minister of immense significance.”
‘Because, whatever of how you feel about the UK’s choice to leave the EU, it’s arguable that his involvement tilted the balance, but it’s also arguable that if he hadn’t won the Tory leadership in 2019, Brexit would not have occurred.
Thus, he will have a substantial part in British history. Then being the prime minister in command during the pandemic, not to mention the prime minister who nearly died from the sickness.’
And on possible successor Liz Truss, who is now competing with former Chancellor Rishi Sunak to replace Mr. Johnson, she noted, ‘She has often been looked down upon by individuals whom she then outwitted or outlived.’ She is a resilient individual.
‘She is (or is willing to be) unyielding, shape-shifting, pragmatic, and eager to have a little fun at her own expense.’ She is instinctual.
This comes after the former BBC political editor was accused of tweeting ‘in defense’ of Dominic Cummings during the controversy surrounding his lockdown visit.
Kuenssberg had responded directly to Pippa Crerar, the political editor of the Daily Mirror at the time, who had exposed his family’s 260-mile journey from London to County Durham.
Critics asserted that her tweet was essentially a retort on behalf of the chief adviser to the Prime Minister, and the BBC reported receiving a “substantial” number of complaints.
In 2015, the BBC Trust ruled that she had incorrectly claimed that then-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was opposed shoot-to-kill in Britain following the 2015 Paris terrorist attack. The investigation found no indication of prejudice.
Regarding sexist trolls on social media, Kuenssberg states, “There is no doubt that social media is poisonous.”
‘I use it a lot less. A journalist should not be idly scrolling their screen, but instead should be on the phone, meeting people, or going to investigate.”
It’s a matter of importance. How should I spend my time? Does it monitor notifications? No, switch off your notifications and avoid searching for yourself on Google.
“The way I’ve dealt with it is that I essentially don’t look at it. Accepting valid criticism is one thing, but I have better things to do than give schoolyard bullies air or mental space.
I would add, however, that journalism is not about being liked. Don’t become a journalist for the sake of making friends.
She continued, “[There are] journalists working in other places, including my colleagues who were in Afghanistan for the anniversary and my colleagues who are heading to Ukraine.”
The internet world is a cruel place, but it is not comparable to the actual world. It should not throw you off your stride.
Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg premieres on BBC One on September 4 at 9:00 a.m.