I recall many years ago the Tories similarly creating a big brouhaha claiming the BBC was biased against them when in fact then as likewise with this case the opposite was true.

It is of course a ploy to gain even more leverage over output, but as the privileged consider themselves hard-served by anything other than complete submission or indeed zeal for their cause, they often end up believing their own bullshit.
The BBC will of course cave in: just like Corbyn when the very same gameplay was used against him.