Last updated at 11:32 PM on 25th May 2011
The BBC was last night accused of ageism by a national pensioners’ group.
Question Time bosses are said to have told the National Pensioners Convention that its representatives could not appear on the show’s panel because they ‘wouldn’t be able to cope with the lights and the stress of a live broadcast’.
The convention, which has 1.5 million members, claims the remarks were made in a meeting with Question Time bosses.
Presenter privilege: Despite Question Time host David Dimbleby being 72, the BBC said elderly guests won't be able to handle the hot lights and pressure of a live show
Favoured guest: Elderly campaigners believed they've been overlooked by BBC Question Time in favour of more 'fashionable' guests such as BNP leader Nick Griffin
The organisation is planning to protest outside the venue of tonight’s show in Exeter as part of a campaign to get an invitation.
It accuses the programme of ignoring campaigners for the elderly on its panels and said the broadcaster did not want to ‘acknowledge our existence’ or ‘our right to a voice in society’.
But show insiders last night hit back, pointing out that Dame Joan Bakewell, vocal campaigner for the elderly, was on the show in October 2009. In recent times Question Time, which is presented by 72-year-old David Dimbleby, has included Dr David Starkey, 66, Sir Max Hastings, 65, Max Mosley, 71, Lord Ashdown, 70 and Vince Cable, 68.
Last night the BBC said: ‘We have found no evidence to support these comments having been made.’
Convention general secretary Dot Gibson, 76, said: ‘The first time we applied in 2008 we were told we weren’t well known enough as an organisation. Then we were told our representatives wouldn’t be able to cope with the lights and the stress of a live broadcast.
'It’s ridiculous and condescending and smacks of ageism. We have accused the BBC of ageism in the past as it seems they don’t want to acknowledge our existence or our right to a voice in society.’
BBC bite back: The BBC contested ageism accusations made by Dot Gibson of the National Pensioners Convention, right, pointing out that Dame Joan Bakewell, left, was a panellist in October 2009 as an 'adviser to the government on the elderly'
'They have never had a representative for people of pensionable age on before I think it is absolutely ludicrous when there are 11 million people of that age in our society.'
Ms Gibson added: 'They have representatives from student groups, fascists, political parties, trade unions and even comedians.
'There's simply a refusal to accept that there is a pensioner movement in this country and that we are officially represented.
'Obviously last year the government were introducing cuts which would have affected people of pensionable age.
Perfect panel? Other guests on the BBC show include Sayeeda Warsi, left, and Jack Straw, right
Popular choice: Apprentice star Katie Hopkins is one of the more 'fashionable' guests to have appeared on BBC Question Time
'We would have been happy to be invited on at this time, but they didn't get in contact.
'The most recent correspondence we have had they said we can go on this month but only in the audience.'
It is claimed that the remarks about coping with the ‘lights’ and ‘stress’ were made at a meeting with show bosses in November 2008.
Members of the pensioners group say inclusion on the programme would offer a valid perspective on the nature of public sector and pension cuts on the elderly.
A BBC spokesman said: ‘Question Time prides itself on representing all sections of society.
‘Both the Question Time panel and audience are chosen to reflect a wide range of demographics which includes pensioners.’
He added: ‘Many of our panellists are over or close to the age of retirement, including 20 in the current series, as are members of the invited audience.’
A spokesman also denied shunning the National Pensioners Convention and said they had a guest who represented the elderly during a show in October 2009.
Explore more:
- People:
- Joan Bakewell,
- David Dimbleby,
- Max Hastings,
- Vince Cable,
- Max Mosley,
- David Starkey
- Places:
- Exeter
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