Man behind 'Liar Liar GE2017' song claims BBC told him 'not to go too heavy on the Tories' before TV appearance

Captain's Ska's anti-Tory song 'Liar Liar' is number two on UK iTunes and BBC won't play it

Jake Painter has claimed he was told by BBC staff “not to go too hard on the Tories".

The founder of the band Captain Ska, whose anti-Tory song ‘Liar Liar’ became the highest new entry in the Officials Singles Chart at number 4 this week, appeared on the Victoria Derbyshire show.

The song, which now sits at number two in the UK iTunes, is not being played on the radio because of broadcasting impartiality rules.

When asked about this on the TV show, he said: "I think the BBC and other radio stations should take that risk. There’s a whole generation of young people whose futures are looking pretty bleak.

“This song has been downloaded, viewed by hundreds of thousands of them so they’ve exercised their right to buy it and listen to it – so let them listen to it."

Mr Painter went on to accuse the broadcasting company of trying to get him to tone down his comments.

"I will also add on that, as well, before I came on your editor asked me not to go too heavy on the Tories before this. I mean, I’ve written an anti-Tory song but apparently I am being asked maybe not to be too heavy on them in this interview."

Louisa Compton, editor of the Victoria Derbyshire, denied speaking to him, and in a short statement on Twitter, wrote: “I did not have the conversation with Jake and was not in the office when it took place.

“My colleague who spoke to Jake told him that the interview was focusing on why the song is not being played on BBC and commercial outlets.

"She assures me at no point did she say not to go too heavy on the Tories or any other such words."

The Conservatives have made a formal complaint about the BBC for what they claim was a “biased” audience for the leader’s debate programme.

The BBC did not immediately return a request for comment.