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UKIP MEP brother in Russell Brand Question Time duel | UKIP MEP brother in Russell Brand Question Time duel |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A Question Time audience member who had a fiery debate with comedian Russell Brand is the brother of a UKIP MEP. | A Question Time audience member who had a fiery debate with comedian Russell Brand is the brother of a UKIP MEP. |
West Midlands MEP James Carver told the BBC his brother Robert had accused the comedian of "preaching" on the programme, which included UKIP leader Nigel Farage on the panel. | West Midlands MEP James Carver told the BBC his brother Robert had accused the comedian of "preaching" on the programme, which included UKIP leader Nigel Farage on the panel. |
Robert Carver has said he was at the broadcast "solely as a viewer" and his brother had been unaware of his plans. | |
The BBC said "anyone is welcome" to apply to be in the audience. | The BBC said "anyone is welcome" to apply to be in the audience. |
The MEP said the first he knew about it was when his brother called to ask if he had seen the show. | |
The Daily Mirror reported Robert Carver had identified himself in blog posts as the politician's brother. | The Daily Mirror reported Robert Carver had identified himself in blog posts as the politician's brother. |
'Political balance' | |
During Thursday's broadcast recorded in Canterbury, Robert Carver told the comedian, who has recently campaigned on a number of political issues, to "stand for parliament". | During Thursday's broadcast recorded in Canterbury, Robert Carver told the comedian, who has recently campaigned on a number of political issues, to "stand for parliament". |
"If you're going to campaign, then stand," he said. | "If you're going to campaign, then stand," he said. |
"You have the media profile. Do it." | "You have the media profile. Do it." |
Brand replied he would stand as an MP, were it not for the worry he "would become one of them". | Brand replied he would stand as an MP, were it not for the worry he "would become one of them". |
Robert Carver told the BBC he was a member of UKIP but had never voted for the party and was astonished at the public reaction to his appearance on the programme. | |
"I wasn't there with anyone else's agenda," he said. | |
"I relished the opportunity to engage with Russell and I don't understand why a campaigner would not take the opportunity to stand for a place in the mother of all parliaments. I want him to put his money where his mouth is. | |
"It is about engaging with people. I want people to vote, I don't care what their politics are. I just want them to vote." | |
However, MEP James Carver said his brother "wasn't that political". | |
The BBC said the programme's audiences were selected "in accordance with the BBC's guidelines on fairness and impartiality". | The BBC said the programme's audiences were selected "in accordance with the BBC's guidelines on fairness and impartiality". |
It said the production company which makes the show was "extremely careful to select audiences which reflect a broad political balance". | It said the production company which makes the show was "extremely careful to select audiences which reflect a broad political balance". |
Applicants must fill in a form about their political views, they said, and each is personally interviewed "to ensure they do hold those views and that they are willing to express them on air. " | Applicants must fill in a form about their political views, they said, and each is personally interviewed "to ensure they do hold those views and that they are willing to express them on air. " |
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