Andrew Tate interview: BBC slammed by prosecutors for treating disgraced influencer ‘like a VIP’ with sit-down chat

THE BBC has been slammed by Romanian prosecutors for treating Andrew Tate "like a VIP" with a sit-down TV interview.

The disgraced influencer, 36, is currently under house arrest after he and his brother Tristan were released from prison over allegations of human trafficking and rape.

However, amid the lengthy police probe, Tate featured in a combative interview with journalist Lucy Williamson on the public broadcaster last night.

The former kickboxer was seen wearing a dapper suit as he sat relaxed in a comfy chair and answered questions in what appeared to be a private "VIP" room.

Tate denied fuelling a culture of misogyny and dismissed all the alleged charges against him that were being investigated.

After he dominated the chat, the BBC chose to finish the interview abruptly.

But despite Tate's airtime being cut short, Romanian prosecutors scolded the broadcaster for even giving the misogynist an opportunity.

A judicial source told The Sun Online it was disgraceful.

The source said: "It is really outrageous to see Mr Tate spread such bad words on the Romanian authorities when there is an investigation for over five months, with many pieces of evidence.

"It is simply just not normal for Mr Tate to give such an interview with so many conditions to BBC, like he was an outstanding VIP,  and not in fact a person investigated with his brother for several crimes.

"But I hope that the laws and the pieces of evidence will have the final word in this case from which Mr Tate tries to do a sort of show."

Following the interview, Tate released an "unredacted" version of the almost 40-minute long interview, which he shared on Twitter.

During the opening of the one-on-one chat, he claimed the BBC attempted a "hit job" after they " ignored all of their promised questions".

He added: "I harbour no hard feelings against the BBC or any journalist who attempts to lie about me.

"The truth of my message is known and good will continue to spread."

It comes after the real reason was revealed as to why the Tate brothers were released from jail to house arrest.

The duo were released in March after a decision to deny them bail was overturned by the Bucharest Court of Appeal.

Andrew and Tristan strongly deny all charges against them.

But police sources insist they still have a case against the Tates - vowing the investigation into them will be complete by July.

Cops said they expect the brothers will be charged and face trial in the autumn - saying they have "thousands of documents and pieces of evidence".

Prosecutors from DIICOT - Romania's organised crime busters - had attempted to argue the Tates were a danger to the alleged victims.

But the judges at the Court of Appeal disagreed - and said the brothers on house arrest would still ensure a "fair investigation".

Court documents translated from Romanian obtained by The Sun Online reveal the reasoning of the judges.

They claimed the Tates were not risk as they were highly educated, lacked a criminal record, and were "socially integrated".

Tate had attempted to use him seeking treatment for a lung lesion as an argument for his release - and documents noted a "pre-existing medical condition" as one of the reasons for their release.

"In the same time, there is also a reduced risk of pressure on the witnesses, but also a reduced risk of changing the pieces of evidence from the investigation," the document said.

"We also consider that the length of the period spent in jail has been a fair warning for the defendants and made their understand their judicial situation as well as the consequences of this situation for their future and for the future of their families."

Prosecutors had warned the Tates should not be released as they could attempt to "take advantage of the vulnerability of their victims".

"[The] Tate brothers have the capacity to exercise a permanent psychical control over the victims, including through violence, in order to make them obey as slaves," argued the cops.

"It is necessary for Tate brothers to remain in jail because, if they are freed, the can influence again the victims during the investigation."

Cops also argued the Tates should not be allowed to return to their plush compound - claiming their investments were built on ill gotten gains.

"They have chosen to have such a way of life, outside the law," said prosecutors.

Romanian authorities have seized much of the Tate's luxurious goods - most notably their extensive car collection.

But the court ruled house arrest was enough to ensure a "fair investigation and preventing other crimes”.

The Tate brothers are now hunkered down in their £600,000 compound on the outskirts of Bucharest.

Courts extended the restrictions until at least May 29.

They face allegations of human trafficking, organized crime and rape.

Cops argue they recruited women on social media platforms under the pretence of striking up a relationship with them - something they called the "loverboy" method.

And then they would allegedly force them into their webcam business.

The Tates are being investigated along with their two "angel" enforcers - Georgiana Naghel and Luana Radu.

They have been ordered to stay in the buildings where they live - unless they have permission from the courts to leave.

Misogynist influencer Tate built up an image that appealed to teenage boys - creating an online empire that made him one of the most searched people on Google.

Masquerading as lifestyle advice, much of the content is considered highly sexist and is seen by some as promoting violence against women.

His influence has had a worrying spread amongst young men and boys, with one UK MP claiming he is "brainwashing"; children.

Tate initially gained fame after a short-lived appearance on Big Brother.

He was dumped from the reality show after alleged footage of him beating a woman emerged online.

Since then he has sparked revulsion and outrage with a wave of warped content online.