David Cameron: BBC has acted stupidly

David Cameron has embroiled himself in a dispute with the BBC after the Tory candidate in the Eastleigh by-election pulled out of a radio debate.

Mr Cameron accused the BBC of behaving “badly and stupidly” after it appeared to criticise Maria Hutchings’ withdrawal from a Radio 5 Live debate. Ms Hutchings had agreed to take part in the hustings, but pulled out the day before due to a visit to the constituency by Mr Cameron.

Questioned by a BBC reporter, he said: “I think the BBC has behaved badly and stupidly about this.... My understanding is that we were discussing with you for ages beforehand about the timing of the hustings and the fact that Maria wanted to be with me for this meeting.”

Asked if the Tories had been “hiding” Ms Hutchings, he said: “We’re not hiding her, she’s right here. This is a totally got-up thing by the BBC. You know you’re not the most important thing in this by-election – the candidates are.”