BBC engulfed in fresh bias row over playing down new £11trillion trade deal

THE BBC ignited a fresh bias row by playing down an £11trillion trade deal.

It was accused by Tories of being a sore loser over Brexit by reporting that the deal with the 800million-strong Pacific bloc would have only a tiny effect on the economy.

PA

Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch told Radio 4 the GDP figure it was quoting was out of date but the BBC continued to refer to it in coverage throughout Friday[/caption]

Britain was given the green-light on Friday to join the 11-member free trade Trans-Pacific Partnership after two years of talks.

But the BBC appeared to belittle the landmark post-Brexit accord by saying it would increase our GDP by only 0.08 per cent.

Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch told Radio 4’s Today programme the figure was out of date but the BBC continued to refer to it in coverage throughout Friday.

Ms Badenoch said the 0.08 figure would only apply if “we don’t use the deal properly”.

She added: “The projection is that TPP will be bigger in 2050 than the EU.

“We’re going to be a part of that.

“Those economies are growing, they’re doing well.”

A Tory source said: “The Brussels Broadcasting Corporation has not got over ­losing the referendum seven years ago and churns out rubbish to do Britain down at every opportunity.”