Quick BBC response

To be fair to the Beeb they obviously respond quickly to delayed responses!

Here is the belated response to my Question Time complaint (it's basically an amalgam of responses others have had):

"Thanks for your e-mail regarding 'Question Time' broadcast on 26 November.

Please accept our apologies for the long delay in replying.  We know our
correspondents appreciate a quick response and we're sorry you've had to
wait on this occasion.

I understand you'd like to know why there wasn't any Liberal Democrat
representation on the panel during a discussion about the Iraq war. I note
you felt that as a result of this, false claims about Liberal Democrat
policy went unchecked.

We forwarded your concerns on this issue to 'Question Time' Executive
Editor Gavin Allen who explained that we constantly monitor the balance of
the panel and that in light of their national electoral strength, the level
of representation for the Liberal Democrats on the programme remains very
strong.

He added that on this occasion the panel was rearranged to reflect a change
in the prominence of some of the issues due to be discussed on the
programme and in order to facilitate debate by having representatives
willing to question the central political consensus on these issues, of
which the Liberal Democrats are a part.

He also added that:

"It was regrettable - but necessary - that the decision to replace Jo
Swinson was taken relatively late, but we have to keep a constant editorial
eye out for the best possible panel and this can of course mean last-minute
alterations. To ensure the widest range of political views are heard there
are occasions across the series when nationalists or minority parties are
invited onto the panel".


It then goes on to say the standard stuff about the audience log.


Hmm


"discussion about the Iraq war"

"central political consensus on these issues, of which the Liberal Democrats are a part."


Hmm, I'll see how I can take this further...