The BBC is facing fresh questions over its handling of a controversial immigration edition of Question Time after it emerged that two migrant audience members who challenged Reform UK figures during the programme were reportedly recruited and prepared by a charity campaigning to build public support for migration.
The special edition of the long-running political debate programme was filmed in Dover in December and focused heavily on Britain’s immigration system and Channel crossings.
During the broadcast, two asylum seekers who had previously arrived in the UK raised questions and comments from the audience, including one participant who read a statement defending international refugee protections and warning against withdrawing from international agreements.
The exchanges sparked criticism at the time from Reform UK representatives, including then-policy chief Zia Yusuf, who accused the BBC of staging what he described as an “ambush”. The programme also generated more than 1,000 viewer complaints.
According to an investigation by The Telegraph, the two migrants who appeared on the programme were identified and supported by Imix, a charity that says it works to improve public understanding of migration and refugees.
The charity reportedly assisted the participants ahead of the broadcast and helped facilitate their appearance after being approached by programme producers.
The investigation also found that Imix chief executive Jenni Regan appeared in the audience herself and was selected to ask a question during the programme. She argued that reducing migration could have negative consequences for public services and workforce shortages.
Reform UK criticised the revelations, claiming they raised serious questions about the BBC’s impartiality and audience selection procedures.
A party spokesman said: “It is no surprise that the Question Time: Immigration Special sparked so many complaints. The programme represented a clear failure of impartiality, editorial judgment and audience selection by the BBC.”
The spokesman added: “The question remains as to why did the BBC think it was appropriate to give a national platform to men who entered Britain illegally, allowing them to lecture the British public and attempt to manipulate opinion on the immigration crisis?”
The BBC rejected suggestions that editorial independence had been compromised.
A corporation spokesman said: “The BBC has full editorial control over all its content. It is common practice across the media industry to engage with charities, among others, for research purposes and to help understand different perspectives when working on programmes or news stories.
“However, the BBC has strict guidelines to ensure impartiality and editorial independence.”
The broadcaster said producers had contacted a range of organisations before filming in order to ensure a variety of views and experiences were represented during the discussion.
Imix also defended its involvement, saying helping journalists and programme makers connect with people who have relevant personal experiences is a routine part of its work.
A spokesman for the charity said the organisation had identified two individuals with refugee status who wished to take part and helped ensure they were informed and prepared beforehand.
The charity stressed that both participants had been granted legal refugee status in the UK, were settled in Britain and had chosen to appear voluntarily.
The latest revelations come amid a wider debate about migration, media coverage and the role campaign groups play in shaping public discussion.
The Telegraph’s investigation forms part of a broader series of reports examining how charities and advocacy organisations seek to influence public attitudes towards immigration through media engagement and public messaging campaigns.
The controversy also comes as pressure on the Government’s asylum system continues. On Monday alone, 710 migrants crossed the English Channel in small boats, the highest daily figure recorded so far this year, bringing the 2026 total to 9,852 arrivals.
With immigration expected to remain one of the dominant political issues in Britain, questions over how the debate is presented by publicly funded broadcasters are likely to remain firmly in the spotlight.
Worth reading in full: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/17/channel-migrants-were-placed-on-question-time-campaigners/
