BBC panel show Have I Got News For You has been hit with fresh accusations of “blatant bias” after its latest episode sparked a wave of complaints online. The long-running satirical show, hosted this week by Roy Wood Jr., featured guest panellists Armando Iannucci and Channel 4 journalist Anushka Asthana alongside team captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop. But within seconds of the programme beginning, viewers claimed the tone had already been set — with jokes aimed at Donald Trump and Conservatives. Some fans said they switched off almost instantly.

One viewer wrote: “Flicked on to #HIGNFY Trump ‘joke’. Changed channel.” Another added: “#HIGNFY it’s so bad I just switched over to channel 5 snooker semi final.” The criticism didn’t stop there. Others accused the show of pushing a political agenda, with one post reading: “Classic BBC praising the green party who hate British culture and support islamic terror against Jews, then bashing Trump for taking out the terrorists. Can’t watch this crap anymore. You think after all the scandals they’d at least TRY to be impartial! Such BLATANT bias.”

Another viewer said: “#HIGNFY is back & they don’t like - SPOILER ALERT - Trump. They also go after (former Prince) Andrew & Mandelson. So brave! But they approve of Hannah Spencer MP.”

Frustration also turned towards the show’s writing. One person wrote: “Christ who is writing the ‘jokes’”, while another added: “Be very careful he might sue again”.

The latest reaction highlights ongoing tensions around political satire on the BBC, particularly at a time when the broadcaster continues to face scrutiny over impartiality.

The backlash comes at a time when the BBC is already under intense scrutiny over impartiality — with the corporation repeatedly accused of failing to strike a fair political balance.

A major row erupted in 2025 after a leaked internal memo warned bias issues were “not being tackled properly” and were “getting worse”, fuelling claims the broadcaster’s editorial standards were slipping.

The fallout was so severe it led to senior resignations and forced the BBC to admit to an “error of judgment” in its handling of political content.

Criticism has been particularly fierce around its coverage of international conflicts, with some accusing the BBC of downplaying extremism — including past rows over describing Hamas as “militants” rather than terrorists.