BBC admits Emily Maitlis attack on Dominic Cummings broke rules

Emily Maitlis breached BBC impartiality rules with a Newsnight monologue attacking Dominic Cummings and Boris Johnson, the corporation has said.

The BBC took the unusual step of rebuking one of its best-known presenters after a stream of complaints about Tuesday night’s programme. It opened with criticism of the prime minister’s “blind loyalty” to his chief adviser.

“Dominic Cummings broke the rules. The country can see that, and it’s shocked the government cannot,” Maitlis told viewers of the BBC Two news programme.

“He was the man, remember, who always got the public mood. He tagged the lazy label of ‘elite’ on those who disagreed. He should understand that public mood now. One of fury, contempt and anguish.”

The monologue went viral on social media,