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Over eight million people watched the British National Party's appearance on Question Time last night. Regulator Ofcom are also investigating complaints that the programme breached the broadcasting code. The appearance of the far-right leader Nick Griffin had descended into a media circus by the time of recording last night. Mark Byford, deputy director general of the BBC, said: "Over eight million people watched Question Time last night. This very large audience clearly demonstrates the public's interest in seeing elected politicians being scrutinised by the public themselves. The agenda of the programme was set by the audience's own questions. The BBC is firm in its belief that it was appropriate for Mr Griffin to appear as a member of the panel and the BBC fulfilled its duty to uphold due impartiality by inviting him on the programme."
Appearance was "catastrophic" - BBC should be "ashamed"
Hundreds of anti-fascists clashed with police in angry skirmishes as they tried to storm Television Centre in White City - some made it through the metal gates, several protesters and officers were injured. Welsh Minister Peter Hain and former London Mayor Ken Livingston lead calls against Griffin's inclusion on the flagship current affairs programme, in the end half of the watching public tuned in. Many commentators have agreed that Griffin came out badly as the panel and audience of diverse Londoners ganged up on him. As his murky past and quotes were fired at him he denied he was a Nazi and said the Ku Klux Klan were "almost totally non-violent". He was especially stumped when challenge on his alleged denial of the holocaust. The corporation has defended the appearance. The BBC said that average viewing figures for the programme are between two and three million - meaning up to four times more viewers tuned in than usual. Hain said the Beeb: "...should be ashamed of single-handedly doing a racist, fascist party the biggest favour in its grubby history".
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