A BBC newsreader appeared to brand Charlie Kirk far-right while discussing his memorial service.
The remark was made during the reading of a news bulletin on Radio 5 Live this evening.
After discussing the weather, the newsreader moved on to announcing the memorial service for Conservative activist Mr Kirk, which is being held at State Farm Stadium in Arizona today.
She said: "Huge crowds are gathering in Arizona for the memorial of the murdered far, er, right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk.
"Donald Trump will speak at the event."
Free Speech Union founder, Toby Young, told GB News: "It's disappointing to hear a BBC newsreader smear Charlie Kirk as 'far Right'.
"Why is it that the BBC never brands radical progressive ideologues like Jeremy Corbyn, Greta Thunberg and Zach Polanski 'far Left', but is quick to describe anyone who challenges their dogma as 'far Right'?
"It should be more mindful of its duty of impartiality."
Donald Trump ally Mr Kirk was co-founder and head of the conservative student movement Turning Point USA.
He built a large following through his savvy use of social media, radio shows and campus tours, when he often invited skeptical students to debate him, and was credited with mobilising young voters to Mr Trump’s cause in 2024.
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Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking to students at Utah Valley University
|REUTERS
The 31-year-old was shot and killed while attending an event at Utah Valley University earlier this month.
The incident has sparked fears about the growing frequency of US political violence.
Mr Trump has cited the killing in escalating his calls for a crackdown on his political opponents.
The firestorm over Mr Kirk’s death only intensified this week, when Disney’s ABC network abruptly pulled late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel off the air after Conservatives expressed outrage over remarks he made about the killing on Monday.
Charlie Kirk was an ally of Donald Trump
|REUTERS/CHENEY ORR
Third-year college student, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, has been charged with Mr Kirk's murder.
Utah County District Attorney Jeffrey Gray said at a press conference this week that his office had filed a total of seven counts against Robinson, including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice and witness tampering.
Prosecutors have added aggravating factors to the murder and firearm charges because Robinson is believed to have targeted Mr Kirk based on political views and knew that children would witness the killing, Mr Gray said.
The county attorney said he had made the decision to seek the death penalty "independently, based solely on the available evidence and circumstances and nature of the crime".
A memorial service is being held at State Farm Stadium in Arizona today in tribute to Mr Kirk.
Among those who will speak at the event are Mr Trump and Mr Kirk's widow, Erika, who has been appointed CEO of Turning Point USA.
Mourners gathered outside the stadium before morning light in hopes of gaining access to the event and paying their respects to Mr Kirk.
Thousands of mourners have gathered for a memorial service in tribute to Charlie Kirk
|REUTERS
The stadium has a capacity of 73,000, which organisers earlier said they expected to be filled.
GB News has contacted the BBC for comment.