Carol Vorderman Leaves BBC Radio Show Over Social Media Guidelines

Carol Vorderman attends the races at Sandown Park Racecourse in Esher, England, on March 7, 2023. Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Welsh broadcaster and media personality Carol Vorderman has left her weekly radio show on BBC Radio Wales after breaking the broadcaster’s social media guidelines.

The BBC recently updated its guide on individual use of social media. Under the new rules, flagship presenters and those working across all news divisions are free to express their views on social media, but should stop short of endorsing or attacking political parties.

Ms. Vorderman said she wasn’t prepared to lose her voice on social media or “lose the ability to express strong beliefs” she holds about political developments in the country.

On Wednesday, she announced her departure from BBC Radio Wales in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The presenter said she respected the new social media guidelines. However, she refused to stop criticising the current UK government “for what it has done to the country which I love.”

The decision comes after Ms. Vorderman posted critical messages on X, including last week, questioning whether the current Conservative Party is the “sleaziest in history.”

The presenter also wrote on X that she’s ashamed about the remarks on homelessness made by Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who said that rough sleeping is sometimes a “lifestyle choice.” She then called for an end to “pitching tents in public spaces.”

Ms. Vorderman responded by calling on the home secretary to resign.

“What I want to stop, and what the law-abiding majority wants to stop, is your vile government clinging on to power for a day longer. You don’t speak for us. Every week you debase democracy further. We’re ashamed of you. Go now,” Ms. Vorderman wrote on X.

She has also been critical of how some COVID-19-related contracts were fast-tracked when the government was purchasing personal protective equipment during the pandemic.

“While people died, NHS was on its knees & money was funnelled to the VIP Lane,” Ms. Vorderman wrote.

Sports broadcaster and former professional footballer Gary Lineker reacts in the Royal Box prior to the Men's Singles third round match between Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Nicolas Jarry of Chile during day six of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 8, 2023. Julian Finney/Getty Images

Gary Linekar

Her remarks contradict the BBC’s guidance that instructs against “endorsement or attack of a political party.”

Presenters and staff are not allowed to criticise the character of individual politicians in the UK, and those working in news are not supposed to express views on any policy related to current political debates.

The BBC’s new rulebook was prompted by a row over Gary Lineker’s social media posts.

In March, the “Match of the Day” presenter criticised the government for its policy on illegal immigrants crossing the English Channel.

He compared the government’s policy to that used by Germany in 1930s. The post triggered a reaction from the Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

Following the row, the BBC decided to take Mr. Lineker off air, only to reinstate him after he was backed by pundits Alan Shearer and Ian Wright, who refused to appear on that week’s show.

The review of the social media guidelines was conducted by former ITN boss John Hardie to eliminate “the potential confusion caused by the grey areas” and was welcomed by Mr. Lineker at the time.

Responding to the new guidelines, Mr. Lineker said that they were “all very sensible.”

In her announcement, Ms. Vorderman said that her radio show was “lighthearted with no political content.” This, however, did not change the fact that the new guidelines applied to “all and any content she posts all year round.”

The 62-year-old media star said it was the management’s decision that she should give up her morning show.

According to the BBC Director-General Tim Davie, the broadcaster’s social media use guide is “proportionate and fair.”

“We all have a responsibility to treat people with civility and respect, particularly at a time when public debate and discussion, both on and offline, can be so polarised,” Mr. Davie said in a recent statement.