A complaint from Scottish Labour has been made to BBC director general Mark Thompson about the appearance of Scottish first minister Alex Salmond appearing on an episode Question Time.
According to The Herald, the Labour Party attempted to block Salmond’s appearance on the BBC1 programme, taking place in Liverpool, but was unsuccessful, and will now make a formal complaint to the BBC Trust claiming it unfair that the SNP leader be given the platform during the Holyrood election campaign, one that was not open to other competing parties.
The BBC has rejected the complaint, claiming that Questions Time was able to achieve impartiality across the UK during a number of different elections and a referendum through the careful selection of panellists representing different parties.
“On this week’s programme Labour is to be represented by Peter Hain, the Conservatives by Michael Howard, the Liberal Democrats by Chris Huhne and the SNP by Alex Salmond. There are clear and public BBC guidelines regarding the fair treatment of candidates in constituencies during election campaigns,” the spokesperson added.
David Whitton of Scottish Labour claimed the appearance of the SNP Leader highlighted a ‘BBC bias’ and queried why Salmond failed to appear on the edition of the programme that broadcast in Edinburgh recently instead.
Comments
Thought Mr Salmond came across very well and certainly took advantage of his opportunity to poke the major parties. Rather than bleat about the perceived unfairness perhaps Scottish Labour would do well to go out and find a politician who can compose and deliver well structured and reasoned arguments. One who can compete in a debate without being deflected, bullied or flustered. At the moment Mr Salmond is head and double chin above any other politician in Scotland and most of his peers at Westminster.
Missed the program, but good to hear that the Mayor of The Province of Scotland has brushed up his media skills. Keep up the good work. Love your pretend Parliament btw.
Anon 10:12 Thanks for your input. We have an excellent education system up here which teaches, among other things, spelling. I'm so sorry you missed out.
exxilent 10.19...
Labour who would vote for them? Oh the Scots would because we are stupid enough to do it. Not a big fan of the SNP but at least they have the best interests of the people at heart! Labour only look after themselves and are untrustworthy
Program/programme - it's up to you. Actually I'm a Scot who went through said 'excellent education system'. Just not impressed by the comedy Government in Scotland. Get yourself onto BBC parliament and watch Westminster followed by Holyrood. The difference in debating style is hilarious. From "the right honourable gentleman" to "ma dad's bigger than yer dad.." Shameful dross.
If you did watch the program last night you would have seen how A.S. blitzed the english sniping politicians re the megrahi debate around his release! His speech on the scottish/english nhs was even better. im positive after last night we (the scots) will need to employ tighter border controls around scotch corner!
'Labour only look after themselves and are untrustworthy'
sorry that's an 'I'm alright Jack' tory policy ?
nice to hear Big Eck's socialist principles coming out loud and clear...mmm, might even vote for him!!
Good on you 10:45!!! you're obviously a 'person of the people'...
Anon at 10:12:
I'm off to pick up a (free) prescription and then pick up my son from university (also free) this afternoon, before taking him to see his grandmother in her (free) nursing home. Our "pretend" parliament has created a 1st class country, while our nearest neighbours (you down souf) will soon be operating on an American model based on pay up or shut up and do without.
what a wonderful country we live in and we all chip in to pay for it...the way it should be.
Blame Billy Conolly, he's the one who called it the 'wee pretendy parliament'. As for 1st class, google 'Stockholm syndrome'.
Billy Connolly has turned into a first class nob.
Has Guy been drinking?
Regardless of parties, there is a Scottish election campaign underway and the media should give fair airtime to all parties.
Surely Alex's appearance is giving a bias as the programme is screened in Scotland, regardless of location.
Hmm.
Write Your Comment