Television presenter Victoria Coren Mitchell has addressed the controversy surrounding Friday evening's Have I Got News For You, acknowledging an error made during the programme she hosted.
Her statement comes after the BBC withdrew the episode from iPlayer and issued an apology for broadcasting a false claim about Euan Blair's company, Multiverse, securing a government contract for the digital ID scheme.
The BBC removed Friday's edition from its streaming service following the broadcast of the inaccurate information, but later reuploaded it with the remarks removed.
Writing on X on Saturday evening, Ms Coren Mitchell addressed the controversy, writing: "Meanwhile, if you see a clip of me saying the ID card contract has gone to Tony Blair's son: it hasn't.
BBC HIGNFY: Victoria Coren Mitchell has spoken out following the controversy
|BBC
"That was something I was given to ask about last night, but turns out to be incorrect. Which is bad news for the fact checkers but good news for social mobility."
During the programme, Ms Coren Mitchell posed a question about who would benefit from the introduction of ID cards before answering that Multiverse had been selected to operate the digital ID card system.
She identified the company as being founded by Tony Blair's son Euan, remarking that this was a "happy coincidence".
However, both the government and Multiverse have confirmed these claims are entirely false.
BBC HIGNFY: Victoria Coren Mitchell issued a statement on X
|X
A spokesperson for the BBC apologised for the error and told Politics Home: "This week's Have I Got News for You contained an inaccurate story about Euan Blair's company, Multiverse, being chosen to develop the government's contract to produce digital ID cards."
The representative explained that Multiverse operates as an apprenticeship and training provider rather than a software development firm, adding: "There is no evidence of any involvement in the proposed digital ID scheme, therefore we have taken the episode off BBC iPlayer while we edit the relevant section out.
"We apologise for this unintentional editorial oversight."
Meanwhile, a Department for Science, Innovation and Technology spokesperson told the Express: "Claims that Multiverse has been chosen to develop the Government's digital ID app are false."
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Tony Blair's son was the subject of the claim | GETTYThe independent fact-checking organisation Full Fact had previously investigated and debunked the allegation after it circulated widely on social media platforms before the broadcast.
Ms Coren Mitchell's statement drew a mixed reception from social media users, with some applauding her for clarifying the error while others criticised the BBC for the mix-up.
One follower replied: "Disappointed you’re distancing yourself from the mistake. I know it wasn’t your fault, it’s the producer who had to stand over output, but not sure it needed to be said right now."
BBC HIGNFY: Ian Hislop and Sheila Hancock also took part in the episode
|BBC
A second added: "Thank you for correcting. Please try not to do it again because I don't want to put in a second complaint to the BBC on a Friday night."
"We knew it was untrue well before you filmed this episode. I don't blame you, I blame the culture at the BBC that allowed this to be broadcast," a third hit out.
While a fourth similarly fumed: "That’s BBC for you. Not an organisation for accuracy."
The government announced its digital ID scheme last week, which it says will help tackle illegal employment and improve access to public services.
The scheme will become mandatory for Right to Work checks before the end of this Parliament.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is reportedly planning to enhance its communications strategy around the digital ID scheme to counter misinformation following criticism about the rollout's clarity.
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