The TV licence fee will become ever harder to justify if the BBC fails to address its “institutional bias”, an MP has warned.
Monmouth MP David Davies claimed the corporation’s future could be put at risk unless the problem was dealt with.
Leading a debate in Parliament’s Westminster Hall on Wednesday ahead of the publication of the new BBC charter, Mr Davies said he respected the broadcaster and praised its contribution to the Welsh language.
But he suggested there was a left-leaning culture amongst employees who share a “certain world view”.
“I have been in many BBC studios and canteens and I have yet to see anyone sitting there reading a copy of the Daily Express or the Daily Mail, loudly complaining about immigration, Brussels, or suggesting that claims about climate change are somewhat over-egged,” said Mr Davies.
“Yet this is a perfectly normal situation in many other places.
“Anyone trying it in the BBC studios would probably find that their promotion ceiling was hit fairly quickly.”
He added: “The reality, of course, is that although the BBC goes out of its way to try to be impartial, it is very difficult for it to be when all – or most – of its employees share a particular set of opinions.”
Mr Davies pointed out he did not intend to make a “full-scale attack” on the BBC and refuted arguments for its privatisation.
However, he told MPs: “I do think that unless the BBC is able to deal with the bias that many people have complained about, it is going to be harder and harder for it to justify the licence fee, which is in effect a tax on everyone whether they are supporters of what the BBC says or not.”
He labelled post-Brexit coverage “an absolute disgrace” and was particularly unhappy with reporting of hate crimes following June’s EU referendum.
“Why do we even have to put up with suggestions on BBC websites that somehow people who voted for Brexit are responsible for these despicable crimes that have taken place?” he asked.
Also taking the corporation to task on the issue of global warming, Mr Davies expressed regret "that the BBC have accepted hook, line and sinker the so-called scientific consensus on climate change and not allowed anyone onto the airwaves who wants to question it”.
He challenged the broadcaster to “have the courage” to stage a debate between him and climate scientists.
“If anyone from the BBC is listening, I will debate this with the best scientists they can find in the country or across the world. Bring them on,” he said.