Bob Crow blasts 'biased BBC' after being dropped from Question Time with Boris Johnson

The BBC has been accused of political "bias" after rail union leader Bob Crow said an invitation to appear on the flagship Question Time programme alongside London mayor Boris Johnson was withdrawn at short notice.

Mr Crow, general secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport union, claimed there had been political intervention after being told he was "pulled" from tomorrow's programme on BBC1 because he appeared on BBC Radio 4's Any Questions last week - along with the mayor.

"There is no question that I've been pulled from this week's Question Time because of a political intervention at the highest level within the BBC, which is yet more evidence of the Corporation bending the knee to this Government and the Tory Party.

"The argument that this is about me appearing on Any Questions? last week is total garbage. Boris Johnson appeared on the same programme and yet he is still on the Question Time panel.

"The week after more than half a million marched on the streets of London, the people of this country have a right to hear the London mayor and the Tube union leader debate and discuss his spending cuts plans," said Mr Crow.

The BBC said the panel for Question Time was subject to change until it was finalised.