We have discussed  concerns over Fiona Bruce’s impartiality, because of her husband’s previous role, with the senior editorial team at Question Time, who would like to clarify certain points.

We believe it’s important to recognise that Fiona Bruce’s opinions are not defined by her husband. As with all BBC journalists, she is expected to be impartial in her role in the BBC and we are satisfied that she is.

For the record, Fiona Bruce’s husband Nigel Sharrocks has never donated to the Conservative party. Mr Sharrocks is not CEO of Carat Global Management Ltd. The account to advertise Conservative government policy, which has been referred to, was won by a subsidiary of a company of which Mr Sharrocks was once CEO, but after he had left the company.