Ex-YouGov worker retracts claim it suppressed pro-Corbyn poll
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Version 0 of 1. Former political research manager says he accepts colleagues had misgivings about methodology A former manager at YouGov has retracted a claim that the polling company suppressed research suggesting Jeremy Corbyn won a general election debate because it was “too positive about Labour”. Chris Curtis said he was “happy to clarify the position and apologise to YouGov for any confusion caused” after accepting that the results were pulled because of concerns over the methods used. On Wednesday the education secretary, Nadhim Zahawi, who co-founded the company, was forced to deny he had wielded influence over the firm amid renewed claims of Tory pressure. YouGov insisted that Curtis, a former political research manager, was “incorrect” to claim it dropped the 2017 poll because it favoured the then Labour leader. On Thursday Curtis, who is now head of political polling at the rival firm Opinium, tweeted: “I now accept YouGov’s position that in fact the results were pulled because of concerns other members of the team had about the methodology. “I also believe then, as I do now, that the methodology was acceptable and the survey was conducted to the highest standard. Just like YouGov, I would not be willing to put my name to any research that did not meet these standards.” He added: “Also, as I later sought to make clear, I did not intend to allege that Nadhim Zahawi played any role in this decision. I am happy to clarify the position and apologise to YouGov for any confusion caused.” |