An episode of Have I Got News For You appears to have been removed from BBC iPlayer after it came under fire for accusations of ‘fake news’.
The Friday night current affairs quiz was fronted by Victoria Coren Mitchell, as it returned for its 70th series run on the BBC.
She was joined by regular show team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton, as well as actors Sheila Hancock and Miles Jupp.
But the show’s satirical take on the week’s headlines put a step wrong on the latest episode, as a segment about the government’s plans to introduce ID cards contained a claim that has been debunked.
Coren Mitchell asked the teams who is set to benefit from the introduction of ID cards, prompting a couple of gags from the panellists.
She replied: ‘I was thinking of the company Multiverse, who has been chosen to run the digital ID cards scheme.’
She then asked whose company Multiverse was before answering her own question and telling the studio it’s a company founded by Tony Blair’s son Euan, before adding: ‘That’s a happy coincidence, isn’t it?’
However, fact-checking organisation FullFact has debunked that Multiverse has been chosen to run the government’s new digital ID scheme, after it circulated online.
The publication said of the claim: ‘This isn’t true, according to both the government and Multiverse, which is an “upskilling company”, not a software developer.
‘The government has not announced any partner for the project.’
The episode of Have I Got News For You is not currently available to watch on iPlayer, but clips of the moment have been shared online, prompting outrage over the ‘false claim referred to as a fact’.
Taking to BlueSky, James O’Malley described it as a ‘jaw-dropping error’, adding: ‘Not just a throwaway quip but part of the script. Someone is getting a massive telling-off for this. (I bet it will be chopped out of the iPlayer edit too.)’
He then shared the clip, again noting that it contained a ‘conspiracy/fake news’ claim.
Gavin Freeguard wrote on the platform: ‘Absolutely astonished, Have I Got News For You just stated that Multiverse will be running the government’s digital ID scheme. An incredibly basic failure of fact-checking.’
Meanwhile, over on X political reporter Zoë Crowther also shared the clip, writing: ‘Oh my god. Have I Got News For You just referred to this completely false claim as a fact!!’
Metro contacted the BBC for comment.
Have I Got News For You airs at 9pm on Friday on BBC One.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.