Dear Mr Cooper

Thanks for your e-mail regarding 'Jeremy Vine' as broadcast on 22 October.

I understand that you've been disappointed by the feature on the BNP in the lead up to Nick Griffin's appearance on 'Question Time'. I note you feel Jeremy and his callers stated that the BNP were racist.

I've been able to review this broadcast and can confirm that Jeremy never stated in his own view that the BNP is racist. Jeremy only ever brought up the case of racism when referring to others views.

While the two guest callers Amina Taylor and Claire Fox did address concerns of racism they are not employees of the BBC. The BBC makes no editorial comment or judgement on the views expressed by contributors to the programme, and our aim is simply to provide enough information for viewers to make up their own minds.

Before both these caller we heard from BBC Director General Mark Byford who put forward that the public has the right to hear a full range of political perspectives.

When Amina Taylor claimed Nick Griffin is a racist, Claire Fox interjected by saying "It is insulting to the viewers and to the rest of us, to the public to imagine that all we have to do is to see Nick Griffin and the BNP on 'Question Time' and we're all going be morphed into kind of racists"

When Jeremy brought up a point that when a BNP member said racist things on a public stage this was the view of Ken Livingston:

"As mayor of London and as somebody, (former Mayor of London) he's seen this happen, that when somebody from that party's given a public stage and they say these racist things there is a spike in racist attacks. That's a practical reason to stop it." Claire Fox then challenged Ken's reason and stated that there's no practical evidence to suggest that it's true.

Further to this, Jeremy took upwards of 14 contacts from the public, (phone/e-mail/text) of which, only three brought up that the BNP or Nick Griffin were racist or accused of racism. Indeed, the tenth caller, Gary accused Nick Griffin of being racist and Jeremy put a hypothetical question to him that what if, on 'Question Time' that Nick Griffin denies being racist and that public then claim he has misrepresented himself.

Of all the rest of the contacts there were no claims of racism and indeed there was support for the appearance on 'Question Time' and for the BNP including a contact from a member of the party.

Jeremy is careful to abide by well-established interviewing guidelines that prescribe a scrupulously even-handed approach.

The producers of the show and Jeremy are well aware of our commitment to impartial reporting. They're expected to put their own political views to one side when carrying out their work for the BBC. They seek to provide the information which will enable viewers and listeners to make up their own minds; to show the political reality and provide the forum for debate, giving full opportunity for all viewpoints to be heard.

I realise you may continue to feel the programme promoted a leftwing bias. Therefore, let me assure you I've registered your comments on our audience log. This is a daily report of audience feedback that's circulated to many BBC staff, including members of the BBC Executive Board, channel controllers and other senior managers.

The audience logs are seen as important documents that can help shape decisions about future programming and content.

All feedback we receive, whether positive or negative, is always appreciated.

Thanks again for taking the time to contact us with your concerns.

Regards

Stefan Curran
BBC Complaints

MY labour MP hasn't replied three letter request !! thats how obnoxious and anti-democratic they are

When i was working over in the Arabian Gulf, I was asked continuously by Pakistanis "if it was true" ? They seem to have an understanding that Pakistanis will be treated like Gods by the British people and given everything they need (compliments of the state) without even having to work. There are so many professional Asian "Benefit-cheat advisers" on a % here in UK.

My feelings exactly and I'm sure millions of others (the informed ones), who are at boiling point. Unfortunately the head in the sand majority only worry about who went out of X-Factor at the weekend. WAKE UP YOU LOT!