‘Provocative partisan stunt’: Tories cry foul after Boris Johnson is replaced by melting ice sculpture in Channel 4 climate debate
The Conservatives have called for an investigation into political bias after state-owned broadcaster Channel 4 replaced Boris Johnson with a dripping ice sculpture of Earth during its election debate on climate change.
The prime minister declined to attend Thursday’s event, sending in his place cabinet minister Michael Gove as a stand-in. Gove, however, was not allowed to participate in the debate. As it turns out, Channel 4 had already chosen a surrogate for Johnson – a melting ice sculpture of planet Earth was put in his place. Leaving little room for interpretation, the sculpture even had “Conservatives” chiseled into its base.
Fellow no-show Nigel Farage, leader of the Brexit Party, received similar treatment.
The unusual move triggered immediate condemnation from the Tories, who have reportedly even vowed to review Channel 4’s broadcasting license if they are victorious in next month’s snap elections.
In a letter to UK media regulator OfCom, Conservative spokesman Lee Cain said that Channel 4 had violated its duties as an impartial broadcaster with “a provocative partisan stunt” that was tantamount to “making a political opinion in its own right.”
He added that the channel has demonstrated a “wide pattern of bias.”
Channel 4 has defended its decision to replace Johnson with a block of sculpted ice, arguing that it intended to “represent the emergency on planet Earth.”
The sculpture surrogate caused spirited debate on social media. Some argued that the Tories have no right to complain since Johnson refused to participate, while others said Channel 4 showed clear political bias.
If they don’t like it then Boris should have turned up – he was invited and refused.
— Paul Marr (@SerendipitySays) November 28, 2019
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Quite a disgraceful display of political manipulation by a public broadcaster. I hope that there is a significant level of complaint to OFCOM. This is extremely biased and fundamentally floored. I am as much concerned about our environment as anyone – this is so wrong!
— allan bowley (@popkis) November 28, 2019
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‘Provocative partisan stunt’: Tories cry foul after Boris Johnson is replaced by melting ice sculpture in Channel 4 climate debate
Source: RT