LOOK AWAY NOW?

The furore over tomorrow night`s edition of Question Time on BBC One seems to be gathering pace. BNP Leader Nick Griffin is due to be on the panel for the first time, due to his party gaining two seats in the European Parliament and a handful in local councils in this country. All of which supposedly make him a `legitimate` politician and at the same time provide the BBC with the problem of maintaining their so-called political neurality and their apparent `duty` to provide fair representation to all legitimate political parties. Difficult.

Also on the panel will be Justice Minister Jack Straw, Asian Tory Baroness Warsi and opinionated black American feminist, Bonnie Greer. There might still be a couple of places to fill, so look out for a gay rights campaigner and a Rabbi. It`s all about balance you see. But already there are predictions about demonstations inside and outside the recording venue. South African permatanned Welsh Secretary Peter Hain has been in correspondence with BBC Director General about the legality of allowing Griffin to appear and as I write, the BBC Trust (a contradiction in terms if ever I heard one) are meeting to `review` the DG`s conclusion that there`s nothing to worry about.

Like Strictly Come Dancing and the X Factor, Question Time tomorrow promises to be little more than a sideshow, an end-of-the-pier fols de rol, a highly charged down market entertainment rather than the serious debating hour it`s supposed to be and you can be sure that attention will all be focussed on the answers rather than the questions.

Now, in much the same way as we are warned to `look away now` if we don`t want to know the football results, I`ve had a look at the alternative viewing that is available whilst Question Time is being aired tomorrow evening. Among a host of appropriate alternatives is `Disappearing Britain,` being shown on the History Channel, `House Wreck Rescue` on Discovery Real Time and `Brit Cops : Zero Tolerance` on Virgin One. As for me, on the basis that there may be trouble ahead, but while there`s music and laughter and love and romance, I might just face the music and watch `Shall We Dance?` on the excellent BBC Four. Or switch off and go to bed which may well be the best option of all.

Someone - can`t remember who - once said something to someone along the lines of, "I find the views you hold to be utterly repulsive, but I will forever defend your right to express them." Without holding any candle for Griffin or anyone else who might appear, I just wonder whether too many people in high places have forgotten about that.