Fiona Bruce was forced to intervene when a Question Time audience member accused a Sinn Féin politician of “supporting” a terrorist organisation.
The audience erupted into applause when North Belfast MP John Finucane was accused of backing Hamas.
The man said: “Fiona, it came as no surprise to me whatsoever there that John Finucane deliberately dodged your question. He clearly supports a terrorist organisation in Hamas.”
The members of the public clapped following this remark.
The man then continued: “And the rest of his cronies in the Sinn Féin are in bed with another terrorist organisation, it being the IRA.”
Question Time host Ms Bruce immediately stepped in to let Mr Finucane answer the “very serious allegations” made against him.
Mr Finucane had earlier in the programme refused to answer a question on whether he agreed that one of Israel’s “stated aims” was to destroy Hamas.
In response to the audience member, Mr Finucane said: “It’s completely untrue and I think what we’re seeing is an opportunity to take the sovereignty of thousands and thousands of people in the Middle East to make what I would describe as a fairly cheap political point in what is a very serious conversation.
“You’ve made an accusation against me and that’s fine. You have your own view and I’m not going to patronise you to change it but I’m someone who grew up during a conflict.
“I’m someone who had the conflict inflicted upon me, and very partially, as a result of the murder of my father.
“The very first time I voted in my life was for the Good Friday Agreement and I’m very grateful that I was given that opportunity by people on all sides who recognised the potential of dialogue, who recognised and created the conditions for peace that ultimately led to the GFA that I was very proud to vote for.
“So I’ve benefited from peace. I’ve benefited from people who have not gone out of their way to poke political opponents in their eye.”
