BBC clarifies why two TV breakfast show hosts removed poppies mid broadcast

Among those who questioned why Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt began the show at 6am on October 30 displaying a poppy – before reappearing on screen without one – was DUP MP Ian Paisley.

On Friday evening the North Antrim MP sent an email to the BBC director general asking if the show’s hosts were acting in response to a complaint.

In the email, which was posted on social media by the DUP, Mr Paisley said: “Did someone complain? If so, I must reflect to you the insult felt by my constituents who have since contacted me.”

The DUP Twitter message attracted hundreds of responses and was retweeted more than 600 times.

In a report on Monday morning, the Daily Mail newspaper said: “BBC viewers have savaged the broadcasting corporation over its new impartiality guidelines after claiming presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt removed their poppies while they were live on air.”

However, on Monday afternoon the BBC told the News Letter that the two presenters had simply “misread the guidelines” around the start date for displaying poppies ahead of Armistice Day on November 11.

A BBC spokesman said: “In keeping with national convention, BBC guidelines state those who wish to wear poppies can do so from 31st October.”