article_snippet.sent: After facing stiff criticism from Ukip, the firm today released a statement on how it chose the audience members.
article_snippet.sent: Each person was selected to reflect the 'composition of the UK population by gender, age, ethnicity, and social grade, and political protocols that reflected the balance as agreed between the broadcasters and the political parties', ICM said.
article_snippet.sent: This is an audience that has been carefully chosen not by the BBC, but by an independent polling organisation to represent the balance between all parties.'
article_snippet.sent: the BBC the BBC insists the audience was carefully selected by an independent pollster, but Farage said something had gone 'wrong' with the process .
article_snippet.sent: The BBC insisted the audience had been chosen by an independent polling organisation to reflect the supporters of all parties - not just those represented by the audience leaders last night.
article_snippet.sent: Ukip meanwhile was said to be pressing for an inquiry into how the audience was chosen.
highlights_snippet.sent: David Dimbleby says independent polling firm chose 'balanced' audience .