Fiona Bruce became the first female presenter to be part of the BBC general election results programme. In 2006, following a court case whereby British Airways requested that a Christian employee conceal her cross because it infringed the airline's dress code, the BBC disclosed it had some concerns over the fact that Fiona Bruce often wore a cross necklace although she was not banned from doing so. In December 2018 it was confirmed that Bruce would become the new host of "Question Time," following the departure of long-time host David Dimbleby. Her first appearance was scheduled for 10 January 2019, the debut
Question Time British National Party controversy above a given level of electoral representation. Mark Thompson, Director-General of the BBC, defended the BBC's decision to invite Griffin, stating, "the BNP has demonstrated a level of support that would normally lead to an occasional invitation to join the panel on "Question Time". It is for that reason – not for some misguided desire to be controversial, but for that reason alone – that the invitation has been extended." A late appeal was made to the BBC Trust, the BBC's governing body, by the Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain, to have the appearance blocked, which ultimately failed.