Konni Hug has dragged "Blue Peter" the programme she owes so much to, into a political storm. it seems jonathan shalit in quite incapable of reading her contract correctly or, completely ignored the bbc's advice. perhaps he should seek another position in the labour party.

roy culmer, tunbridge wells, kent

Here's a transport policy I made earlier..... This is a ludicrous BBC decision - they allow BBC presenters to advertise their books, restaurants, style consultancies etc but apparently appearing at an event to encourage cycling is 'political' just because there are politicians present.

Chris, Crawley, UK

bill... surely impressionable children are the only ones who would listen to a word of what ken livingstone has to say?

jem, london, uk

Good for her. Impartiality in the BBC? Try going easier on New Labour. Biased hypocrites. She should be free to be herself and support a good cause.

Ben, York,

Cut out the sentimentality and face the facts.
The BBC refused her request to attend the event.
The agent encouraged her to be present.
The BBC must dismiss Huq for her gross disloyalty.
Huq must dismiss her agent for his reckless advice.
End of story

TC, Cardiff, UK

Shockingly hypocritical from the left-leaning BBC. When will the BBC's partiality ever be exposed?

Alex, London, London,

You said it Bill Q, Derby. Brainwashed by Livingstone, Just look at the state of the place, London that is. Gun crime rising, Knife crime rising, mugging rising, Underground railways bankrupt, £8 a day to drive your car in to London and soon £100 a day to take a deisel vehicle in to London. (That is those older than 02 registration). So where will all that leave those worn out old London Cabs and Busses? What a mess the place is under Livingstone, am I glad I abandoned the place 5 years ago!
Read Boris application for Mayor "at risk of being run down on the journey to the office on my Cycle". Go for it Boris!!!

John, Suffolk, England

M/s Huq is employed by an organisation funded by taxpayers, including Conservatives, and should not involve herself publicly on the side any one political party. She also appears to have broken her BBC contract, so I expect to see her sacked.

James Elliott, Eastbourne, East Sussex

Sympathies to Connie Huq, she clearly hasn't got the hang of BBC bias. It's a tricky business, hard to get away with, best left to the controllers, Connie, and keep an eye on the size of your boots, eh?

Lawrence, Liverpool, England.

The BBC are supposed (hah!) to be impartial. So Konnie defies orders and still attends.... in private sector firms she would have been sacked for that! It is not about Blue Peter (that well know source of cheating phone ins) but a wdier problem with the BBC. Emily Mathis did a similar thing for the Tories and got hammered quite rightly. One rule for the Labour lovvies at the Beeb?

dave t, ELGIN, scotland

Earlier it seemed the Tories were at last trying to distance themselves from their previous pro-car stance. But it seems many of them still want to cling to it despite climate change, ever-worsening traffic congestion, the obesity epidemic etc. And just when I thought I might vote for them next time....

Barry, Wallington, UK

Bill writes "Is the BBC running scared now that its liberal leanings have been exposed to a world..."

But that's the thing, isn't it? The BBC is a Left-leaning (some might argue a Guardian-like) establishment but its Charter calls upon it to be impartial. Or have the Conservatives been exempted from paying the License Fee?

Inna, Sacramento, USA/CA

Congratulations to the girl. She was there for genuine reasons. It's not her fault that Ken is like he is. And it's not her fault the BBC bosses are like they are. She can rest assured that we out here can see through them all. Including - or even especially - Conservative Councillors looking for a bit of reflected glory. Konnie Huq is the only one in this farrago who doesn't look an idiot.

eric campbell, harrogate, uk

Well done Mr. Coleman, now Ken Livingstone has even more publicity. Perhaps you should think before you rant about anything in the future, save your energy to think of something more positive.

Jo, Geneva, Switzerland

If someone's employment contract prohibits certain (political) activities and they have been specifically denied permission to do somthing, then to go ahead and do it anyway is gross misconduct and in any normal job jould lead to suspension and probable dismissal. But this is the BBC.....

P Holden, Northants, UK

Personally I do not know who voted for Ken as everyone in my circle did not. If she wants to share platform with him, well that says it all really!
Not a Ken voter

Marion Gibbard, London,

For all my dislike of our current Mayor, I should point out that as an individual Ms Huq should have the same Political rights as anyone else. After all it is not as if she is a Reporter on BBC News where impartialy really should be beyond question.

Morris, London, Lodon

Stop being politically correct and get rid of her. She is obviously incapable of doing what she is told (or is it a violation of her human rights that she is not allowed to do exactly as she pleases without regard to the consequences for others?).

Justinian, Berkshire,

Where does a person's resposibilty to their employer end? What someone does in their own time should be their own business. In the modern day concern for the environment and the nation's health this is a good cause. If you want to make the link with Ms Huq's employment as a childrens' TV presenter then who better to appeal to children and promote the health and enviroment benifits of cycling. Petrol heads have Jeremy Clarkson I know who I'd sooner listen to.

Andrew Goldsmith, Stavanger, Norway

Just sack her!
Who does she work for anyway?

Bill, Wales,

What about "Sir Alan's" support of Labour!

How does that fit in with BBC impartiality?

Tanya, London,

If Konnie Huq appeared with Ken Livingstone as a representative of the Blue Peter program, and hence a direct tie with the BBC, then I totally agree an apology was necessary. If, however, she appeared in her own name, it can hardly be held that the BBC was showing lack of impartiality.
I do not support either the methods, or the politics of Ken, but I think that if people like Konnie, wish to use their celebrity status to support events that may encourage the general population, CHILDREN also, to a healthier lifestyle then I believe, that it is “high handed” of the BBC to claim exclusivity to that celebrity status, if it were an event that was outside of the remit of the Blue Peter schedule.
I revert to an old adage, that in these days of the “failing PC” world, I fear is being forgotten “I do not agree with what you have said, but I will defend to my last breath your right to say it” Haven’t wars been fought by our forebears to uphold that principle. Shame on you BBC.

Michael Nye, Colnbrook, Slough, U.K

Konnie Huq's agent, Jonathan Shalit, says Tory councillor Brian Coleman should concentrate on finding someone to challenge Ken Livingstone. Mr Shalit should concentrate on booking hs clients into events which won't land them in hot water with their bosses. I can't believe Mr Shalit is that naive - since when did Ken Livingstone do anything that wasn't political?

Paul, Leeds,

In the above article you refer to the Labour Mayor of London. I had no idea that this was his title. I have always thought of Ken Livingstone as the Mayor of London. Get a life BBC .Next you'll be apologizing to the U.S.A. for listeners expressing their opinions about American foreign policy in a live broadcast after the destruction of the World Trade Centre.
BBC Impartiality? What a joke!
Good for you, Konnie Huq.

Phil Propert, Malvern, England

I totally agree with Mr. Shalit that Konnie wanted to be part of this campaign because she believes in its cause. She cycles into the BBC studios from her home every day and is therefore a shining example of what this campaign is trying to achieve. Politics doesn't enter into it.

Even if the launch did turn into a "political rant" by Mr. Livingstone and was deemed as Labour campaigning, how on Earth was Konnie to know that beforehand ? As long as an event is launched by a London Mayor who is attached to one political party or another, surely a political speech is going to be inevitable, even if inappropriate ?

And as far as Valerie Singleton "not getting herself into this mess", neither has Konnie. The irrelevant complaint by Mr. Coleman has ruined a perfect opportunity for Konnie's celebrity profile to encourage young and old Londoners to take to two wheels in the name of personal health.

Will Mr Coleman be cycling to his office on the day of the event ? On yer bike, sir !

Paul, Dudley, UK

It's Blue Peter for God's sake! Are politicians scared that the children who enjoy the programme are going to be brainwashed by the rantings of Livingstone? Is the BBC running scared now that its liberal leanings have been exposed to a world, gobsmacked by the fact that the institution could actually have human beings working for it?
Shame on them all and strength to Ms Huq.

Bill Q, Derby,