Summary of complaint
We received complaints about comments the panellist Daze Aghaji made about Ann Widdecombe.
Our response
Politics Live routinely features a panel of contributors from across the political spectrum to discuss the day鈥檚 major stories. Our guests are typically booked days or weeks in advance, and we aim to ensure that a wide range of views and opinions are represented.
This edition of the programme featured Labour MP Jess Asato, Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston MP and environmental activist Daze Aghaji, as MPs returned to Westminster in shock following the killing of Ann Widdecombe.
At this stage police were saying there was nothing to suggest the killing was politically motivated and the news that counter terrorism police were taking over the investigation into Ann Widdecombe鈥檚 killing broke later in the programme.
Vicki Young began the studio discussion by asking for reflections on Ann Widdecombe鈥檚 life, while noting how she reached audiences outside politics.
Both MPs spoke of their shock and sadness, with Nigel Huddleston also referring to how she was 鈥渒nown for her very forthright views, grounded in her faith鈥 and Jess Asato speaking about how she was a trailblazer 鈥渨hether we agreed with her on everything or not.鈥
As part of her response, Daze Aghaji was critical of Ann Widdecombe鈥檚 political views and legacy and how, in her view, 鈥渢here a lot of people who won鈥檛 be grieving this.鈥
It is never our intention to cause offence, and we acknowledge that some viewers believe Vicki Young should have challenged Daze Aghaji directly on her comments.
However, in live political programming guests will sometimes express views that some in our audience will consider offensive or inappropriate, which must be balanced against freedom of expression and editorial responsibility.
Having reviewed the programme, we are satisfied that Daze Aghaji views were adequately contextualised and challenged by the other panellists and so handled appropriately.