Emily Maitlis has confirmed she asked not to host last night's episode of Newsnight amid a row over her comments about Dominic Cummings.
The popular host was absent from Wednesday night's broadcast after the BBC ruled the programme breached impartiality rules over its coverage of Boris Johnson's top aide.
In her introduction to Tuesday's show, she said the Prime Minister's chief adviser had "broken the rules" and "the country can see that, and it's shocked the Government cannot".
The BBC said while Maitlis had been scheduled to present last night's edition of the programme, Katie Razzall would take her place.