Question Time’s new host Fiona Bruce has been warned to avoid social media and remove herself from the electoral roll to protect herself from hate online, according to reports.
The 54-year-old BBC presenter was told to take the action by colleagues to avoid “the online hate mob” following a row over Diane Abbott's recent appearance on the programme, according to the Telegraph.
The shadow home secretary said she was picked on and interrupted more than any other panellist when she appeared on Question Time last week.
Expletive ridden comments have since been made about Ms Bruce after Momentum set up a petition calling for her to apologise after the row.
Hundreds commented on the petition, with some accusing Ms Bruce of being a "racist" following the incident.
A BBC source reportedly told the Telegraph that there was an essence of “predictability” about comments made towards Ms Bruce which was why she was told to remove herself from social media.
Ms Abbott claimed she was repeatedly interrupted on the programme and said she had also been told Ms Bruce made unpleasant remarks about her before the recording began.
In a statement, the BBC denied that any of panellists on the programme had been treated unfairly.
A spokesman said they were "sorry" to hear of Ms Abbott's concerns and had sought to reassure her team that social media claims about the warm-up were "inaccurate and misleading".
The BBC declined to comment.
The Standard has also contacted Momentum for further comment.
