The BBC has sparked backlash with its “over-the-top” breaking news coverage of Keir Starmer’s resignation as Prime Minister and Andy Burnham stepping in to replace him. The broadcaster launched into live rolling coverage of the event, which saw Starmer give an exit speech outside No.10 Downing Street before leaving for Buckingham Palace to meet King Charles to officially accept his resignation.
During his speech, Starmer said he is now “passing the baton to Andy Burnham”, adding, “I wish him every success; he has my full support,” as he thanked his family and his team across the Labour Party, as well as everyone at No 10 and across the civil service. He added: “Politics will always be a team sport, and I thank the British people for the opportunity to serve.” He concluded: “I go with good grace, I go with a smile, and I go proud of everything we have achieved.”
BBC correspondents Chris Mason and Daniella Ralph, as well as presenter Fiona Bruce commented through the event as the broadcaster aired simultaneous live footage of Downing Street and Buckingham Palace, including drone footage and rolling bulletins.
Unimpressed viewers rushed to social media to share their frustration with the extensive reporting, demanding to know why the BBC had placed such heavy focus on the event.
One viewer said: “Coverage of Starmers resignation and Burnham’s rise to PM is absolutely ridiculous. How many times can they say the same thing? Why do we need four hours of coverage? We’ve seen this several times over the last 10 years. This is what we pay a license fee for? @BBC @BBCNews.”
Another added: “Why are we suffering your pathetic and extended coverage of @aburnhammp becoming PM while not mentioning his three attempts to become Labour leader and his silence since becoming @UKLabour leader without a vote?”
A third agreed: “@BBCNews Rolling 24 hours news coverage, constitutional experts, helicopters! This is a little over the top for an event that happens every two years.”
A fourth penned: “Slightly over the top coverage of Andy Burnham MP becoming PM, you would think we were crowning a new king. The problems that Kier Starmer faced will still be there when he gets there. No need for a GE because there was not one for Truss, Sunak, May, or Johnson.”
