The BBC has hit back at Diane Abbott's claims that Question Time 'whipped up' a racist and sexist atmosphere amid claims she singled out before and during the show.
The shadow Home Secretary said she was picked on and interrupted more than any other panellist by the show's new presenter Fiona Bruce, who was chairing the show for the second time.
Following the allegations made by Abbott, BBC responded saying: 'We are sorry to hear Diane Abbott’s concerns over Thusday night’s edition of Question Time and we have contacted her team today to reassure them that reports circulating on social media are inaccurate and misleading.
'Diane is a regular and important contributor to the programme. As we said earlier, we firmly reject claims that any of the panel was treated unfairly either before or during the recording.'
A spokesman for Abbott said: 'We are appalled by the treatment of Diane Abbott on BBC's Question Time.
'It was clear that a hostile atmosphere was whipped up, propped up by reports of inappropriate and sexist commentary in the audience warm-up session.
'A public broadcaster like the BBC should be expected to be a model of impartiality and equality.'
They told the Guardian: 'The BBC cannot claim anything of the sort when analysis of the programme shows that the only black woman on the panel was jeered at and interrupted more times than any other panellist, including by the chair herself.'
A spokesman for Diane Abbott (pictured on the programme) said it was 'clear that a hostile atmosphere was whipped up' against the Labour frontbencher
Diane Abbott (right) said she had been 'jeered at and interrupted more times than any other panellist' on the flagship BBC programme presented by Fiona Bruce (left)
A number of left-wingers took to Twitter to condemn Abbott's treatment on Question Time
'The media must stop legitimising mistreatment, bias and abuse against Ms Abbott as a black woman in public life. The BBC should be ashamed that their programming is complicit in such behaviour.'
During the programme, Abbott clashed with panellist Isabel Oakeshott about Labour's standing in the polls.
Two Twitter users who said they were audience members claimed Ms Abbott had also been targeted in the warm-up to the show.
A spokesman for Abbott said: 'We are appalled by the treatment of Diane Abbott on BBC's Question Time.
'It was clear that a hostile atmosphere was whipped up, propped up by reports of inappropriate and sexist commentary in the audience warm-up session.
'A public broadcaster like the BBC should be expected to be a model of impartiality and equality.'
The told the Guardian: 'The BBC cannot claim anything of the sort when analysis of the programme shows that the only black woman on the panel was jeered at and interrupted more times than any other panellist, including by the chair herself.'
'The media must stop legitimising mistreatment, bias and abuse against Ms Abbott as a black woman in public life. The BBC should be ashamed that their programming is complicit in such behaviour.'
One audience member claimed on Twitter that there was 'was some humour at Diane's expense from BBC staff before the recording'.
Another said: 'The way they
