Doing the right thing ?

Let's be clear - the BBC's Editorial Machine decided to disown the Newsnight/Maitlis opening monologue because it lacked 'due impartiality', not because it was wrong on the facts. This is tricky stuff. I suspect it was the adjectives that caused trouble.

"He was the man, remember, who always got the public mood - who tagged the lazy label of 'elite' on those who disagreed".  Fact - Cummings has labelled many groups 'elite' - London, Westminster, The Civil Service, intellectuals, national journalists - depending on target of his argument. Pejorative - the insertion of 'lazy'.

"Tonight we consider what this blind loyalty tells us about the workings of No 10." Fact: The Prime Minister is remaining loyal to Dominic Cummings, as are a number of senior ministers. Pejorative: adding 'blind', in the sense of undiscerning, unquestioning, even defective, creates a phrase that is judgement, and not a good one.

Where now ?  The swell of those who think the BBC has been craven will grow, but late night and early morning tweets from Ms Maitlis suggest a resigned but not resigning mood.

So grateful to my friend and excellent colleague @katierazz for stepping in this evening . She did so because I asked for the night off -knowing tonight’s prog would be in the most excellent hands 🖐 #newsnight https://t.co/0ZkH2KbzBF

— emily m (@maitlis) May 28, 2020

Been overwhelmed by all the kindness, messages - and support on here - and I’ve probably missed much of it. A big thank you from us all at #newsnight

— emily m (@maitlis) May 28, 2020