"Somebody very high up at the BBC should be asking very serious questions about why this simple statement of facts would have been impossible for Emily Maitlis to make if she was still on their staff", James O'Brien said.
The veteran broadcaster also dismissed the idea a call from No 10 put pressure on the BBC to rebuke Maitlis and her team.
The journalist, who left the BBC earlier this year, said the media was often guilty of ‘normalising’ populist views in the name of balance.
The former Newsnight presenter highlighted the role of Sir Robbie Gibb who was appointed to the BBC board by Boris Johnson.
"It is normal for government spin doctors to vocalise their displeasure to journalists, what is not normal is the speed with which the BBC sought to pacify the complainant."
"Many broadcasters fear discussing the obvious economic cause of major change in this country in case they get labelled pessimistic or unpatriotic."
The Newsnight presenter is leaving the BBC after two decades. Here are some of her must-see moments.
The Newsnight presenter and BBC colleague Jon Sopel are quitting the corporation to host a new daily podcast on Global.
"I am not sure Twitter is designed for this level of subtlety," wrote one person who warmed to the sly move.