BBC VERIFY USED LABOUR ACTIVIST TO BACK GOVERNMENT'S CLAIMS ON FARM INHERITANCE TAX

"Dan Neidle, who previously pursued Nadhim Zahawi over tax affairs, was quoted as an ‘independent’ expert"

 

Telegraph: 20th November 2024: Telegraph reports on accusations of BBC bias as the state broadcaster uses well-known senior Labour activist to 'verify' Labour Government claims over Farm tax

"The BBC Verify unit used a Labour Party activist to back its analysis of government figures on the farm tax.

The broadcaster’s fact-checking service quoted Dan Neidle as an “independent tax expert” in a piece assessing how many British farms would be affected by the inheritance tax raid.

Mr Neidle, a retired City lawyer, made headlines last year when he pursued Nadhim Zahawi, the Conservative Party chairman at the time, over his tax affairs.

In a BBC Verify story on the corporation’s website, titled “How many farms will be affected by Budget tax rises?”, Mr Neidle sided with the Treasury’s low estimate...

The Country Land and Business Association (CLBA) has produced a much higher figure, which Mr Neidle dismissed on X as “hyperbolic fake stats”... 

The BBC Verify piece has since been amended, with Mr Neidle’s “below 500 per year” claim removed and his title amended to “founder of the independent Tax Policy Associates”..."

FULL ARTICLE

PopCon says: We are keeping an eye out for the BBC apology and explanation as to how it will prevent such apprarent bias creeping into BBC Verify activities going forward - so far we have only seen quiet changes to the 'fact check'...

 

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