Bbc question time left in lurch: liz truss fails to arrive

Luckily, Tory MP for Clacton Giles Watling stepped in to save the day by filling her seat, as the show was being filmed in his Essex town. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury tweeted she

would be unable to make it to the studio, after a trespasser on the tracks delayed her train. Ms Truss said: “Very sorry not be able to make BBC Question Time tonight. “Stuck on a train due

to a trespasser on the line. “Was looking forward to talking about our Budget tax cuts and boost for business.” She added the hashtag “audienceofnone”. The show, which airs on BBC One at

10.45pm, but is filmed an hour earlier, discusses political news from the past week and other contemporary issues. The show’s host David Dimbleby said: “She had no way to get here”. Other

panellists on last night’s show were Kate Andrews from the Institute of Economic Affairs, comedian Shappi Khorsandi, journalist Anne McElvoy and Labour MP Andy McDonald. Ms Truss tweeted

again minutes after the show started to thank her colleague for pulling through last minute and for the police for their “trademark professionalism”. She said: “Just leaving Colchester after

four hours on stuck train. “Well and truly missed BBC Question Time - well done Giles Watling for taking it on! “Thanks to the Essex police and British Transport Police Essex for their

trademark professionalism. Eventful evening.” Last night’s show included Mr Dimbleby accusing Labour MP Andry McDonald of dodging his question and journalist Ms McElvoy branded the education

budget “shocking”. Last minute panellist Mr Watling claimed austerity was “caused by Labour” and that another referendum would lead to “civil unrest”. David Dimbleby recently announced he

will be leaving the show after 25 years.