BBC forced into grovelling apology to Nigel Farage after Newsnight row in which Reform chief accused corporation of ‘defamation’ over Henry Nowak murder response

The BBC has been forced to issue a humble apology to Nigel Farage following the furious row sparked by last night’s edition of Newsnight.

Lawyers for the Reform UK leader sent an angry letter to the broadcaster’s chief executive this morning, demanding an apology and making other demands amid accusations that Mr Farage was defamed by the programme’s presenter.

Newsnight host Matt Chorley has repeatedly misquoted Mr Farage’s response to the murder of Henry Nowak, claiming three times that the Reform leader said it was bound to trigger “white cold anger” in the British public.

But what Mr Farage actually said in his emergency broadcast yesterday morning was ‘pure, cold anger’.

This afternoon the streaming giant said it had made a private apology directly to Mr Farage and published a public version of it on its website.

The company also promised to issue a further apology at the start of tonight’s episode of Newsnight.

Additionally, last night’s episode has been removed from BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.

But it remains to be seen whether Mr Farage is happy with the apologies after his lawyer published a list of additional demands this morning.

Presenter Matt Chorley repeatedly claimed Mr Farage was calling for ‘white, cold anger’

Mr Farage’s lawyer accused the show host of ‘racistising’ the politician’s response to the tragic murder.

He blasted: ‘It turns criticism of the discriminatory behavior of the authorities into a clarion call to race.

‘This shows that, far from condemning racist treatment, Mr Farage is citing race as the basis for public anger.

‘In a national debate where his opponents are already accusing him of inflaming racial tensions, this change is not a misstep around the edges.

‘This is seriously defamatory and, based on the available materials, was done deliberately.’

The four-page letter also included evidence that the misquote had been “passed over from notes”, indicating it was written before Ms Badenoch was asked the question.

They argue: ‘This raises an obvious and serious question as to how these remarks found their way into the programme’s production materials and why no one checked them.’

Mr Chorley sent his own apology to X this morning but the lawyer said it was not enough.

The lawyer’s letter contained three basic demands, which Reform described as ‘non-negotiable’.

These were, firstly, for the BBC to publish a full written apology to Mr Farage on the BBC’s website and to keep the apology at the top of relevant social media accounts for seven days.

Second, the company needs to issue a “full on-air apology on News Night” and then share the on-air apology on the show’s social media accounts.

Third, Reform is calling for a ‘necessary investigation’ into how false quotes were uttered three times during broadcast and how they were introduced into production materials unchecked.

Mr Chorley issued a personal apology to the Reform leader on account X this morning

The BBC was given until 4pm on Friday to provide a detailed response to Mr Farage’s lawyer.

Mr Farage’s lawyer also issued a stern warning that all documents and materials relating to the broadcast ‘should not be deleted, overwritten or otherwise destroyed’, given that the controversy is now subject to potential legal action.

Reform’s lawyer said neither Mr Farage nor any representatives from Reform UK would appear on any BBC programs or platforms until all three demands were met.

The letter also included a threat that Farage could sue the BBC for damages if he was not satisfied with the BBC’s response to his demands.

The lawyer gave the BBC until 4pm on Friday to submit its substantive response.

The letter comes just days after The Mail on Sunday reported allegations that the BBC’s flagship radio program had been broadcast.Desert Island Discs ‘banned’ Mr Farage on the following grounds: his presence would make alert staff ‘feel unsafe’.

On Sunday Mr Farage warned: ‘I have come to expect less from the BBC; their blatant biases have been evident for years.

‘The BBC will have a rude awakening under the Reform government.’