BBC accused of breaching its impartiality rules after using civil servants to write and fact-check articles on Covid and boat migrants

The BBC has faced accusations that its impartiality rules may have been breached after civil servants on temporary placements helped write and fact-check news articles. Their work touched on politically sensitive subjects, including small-boat crossings, migration and Covid, prompting concerns that government perspectives could influence coverage.

Over eight years, 39 Whitehall officials have taken part in the scheme, typically spending three or six months in the BBC newsroom; four more are expected next year. One official drafted material on population statistics and checked claims about crime rates among nationalities, while another analysed small-boat crossing data. The BBC said secondees had no editorial control and that bylines would be updated to include their full job titles.