EMILY Maitlis has returned to Newsnight for the first time since the controversy over her comments on Boris Johnson's top aide.

The presenter was found to have violated the BBC's impartiality guidelines following her monologue on Dominic Cummings last week.

In her introduction to last week’s show, Maitlis said Cummings had "broken the rules" when he travelled from London to Durham during lockdown and "the country can see that, and it's shocked the Government cannot".

The BBC said the monologue "did not meet our standards of due impartiality".

Maitlis returned to Newsnight yesterday, but did not mention the row during a show focusing on the protests that have broken out across the US in response to the death of George Floyd, who died after being pinned down by Minneapolis police officers.

Following the controversy over Cummings, Maitlis did not appear as scheduled on an episode of Newsnight, saying she asked for the evening off.

READ MORE: BBC slammed for ‘gutless capitulation’ in slapping down Emily Maitlis

The presenter, widely lauded for her interview with the Duke of York last year, said she has been "overwhelmed" by support from viewers after her monologue on Cummings.

The 49-year-old broadcaster tweeted: "Been overwhelmed by all the kindness, messages – and support on here – and I've probably missed much of it.

"A big thank you from us all at Newsnight."