'Who funds you?': Political Editor clashes with spokesperson for IEA | LBC

Political Editor for Byline Times Adam Bienkov slams the IEA for not being open about who is paying for the website.

This video clip is from an LBC show presented by Iain Dale on 13/10/22.

#IainDale #IEA #LBC

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[DJLDomino]

"They're allowed their privacy." Yes, they are as long as they don't get involved in our politics and influence decisions that have a detrimental impact on the British people. I think we're entitled to know what's going on behind the doors of those who we elect. There's been far too much opaqueness in British politics.

[hawsrulebegin]

Her sudden angry gestures and voice pitch change shows she’s A) Hiding something and B) terrible at her job. A future PM!

[simonmoseley]

Robin Williams had it right when he said politicians should wear suits like racing drivers so we know who has bought them

[Ahrimas]

Imagine funding a group so fundamentally unlikeable that your identity as a donor must be protected.

[gbspikyfish]

The level of aggression in responding to a question about the secrecy of donors speaks volumes.

[spartacusforlife]

The IEA HAS CHARITY STATUS BUT IS IN ACTUALITY A LOBBY FIRM

[BadgerBoy]

If they have to "protect the privacy" of their donors and refuse to release any information, then you KNOW for a fact that they have some pretty dodgy donors

[ADot-finy]

They're hiding something. You can clearly see it hit a nerve

[jsb]

As opposed to inspiring confidence, her answers fundamentally ruined any chance of me listening to what that think tank has to say. If you want to dance around transparency and blame the people pointing out that you have none because they disagree with you you must then understand that your choice of words is a weak, sad, unacceptable manner of public relations.

[leighvaughton]

The IEA don't like it up 'em do they. She got quite agitated. They should be pressed on their funding every time they appear on the media (which is ALL the time), maybe that will reduce the power they wield. And her comment that being paid to represent vested interests is 'against the law' - that's the Conservative party banned, then...

[roisinmalone]

She didn't like that.

People should know who's behind the extreme right wing stuff they come out with.

[ianedwards]

I don't trust any organisation (left, right or anywhere in between) that endorses secrecy of it's donors. Very simple.

[majuli]

"Look, Ian, we are paid to speak on behalf of some of the most corrosive, parasitic interests ever invented in the history of humanity. I think they deserve some privacy, so that they can dedicate their time to their real mission, which is to turn every aspect of humanity into a festering wound that oozes money into their pockets. Now if you'd excuse me, I have a business lunch with some very rich people."

[earlcollins]

If she’s arguing about who’s funding them, , then it’s not a suitable donor ?

[michaelgoode]

If you cannot tell us who funds an organisation then their views are not accountable. Why should a lack of accountability be allowed, ever.

[alanjones]

The IEA representative is rattled by the debate and clearly has something to hide that forces her to take an unpleasantly aggressive stance. This is not someone to trust or to invite as an 'expert' on BBC or other major network discussions.

[ryanconnor]

Im sorry to tell her that reality has a liberal bias. People aren't gonna take nonsense from "Think tanks" when they see the opposite with their own eyes and feel it in their accounts.

[powerboonk]

She got absolutely obliterated and doesn't even realise.

[coop]

Instant angry reaction shows shes hiding something

[caloricphlogistonandthelum]

The IEA is trying to influence government policy, so we should have a right to know who's behind them.