STV and David Cameron accuse each other of running away from Scottish independence broadcast
STV has denied claims from David Cameron on Prime Minister’s Questions that it “ran away” from the opportunity to have the Tory leader on the channel to discuss the Scottish independence referendum.
STV denied the PM's claims that it ran away from the broadcast
During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday morning, SNP MP Angus Robertson asked the PM whether or not he will participate in an STV programme to discuss independence.
Robertson said: “Will you be doing that or will you be running away just as you ran away from the First Minister in a debate?"
In response Cameron claimed that he was keen for the show to happen, having even offered a date and a format for the broadcast, just to have it rejected by the STV.
He said: “They seemed to run away themselves which is a great pity."
The Scottish broadcaster, which also aired one referendum debates between Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling, disagreed with the PM’s comments, a spokeswoman said: “STV proposed a format for this programme in January.
“This was rejected by Downing Street and the alternative editorial specification suggested by the Prime Minister’s office was not acceptable to STV.
“We are aware that undecided voters would appreciate the opportunity to put their questions to the Prime Minister before the referendum vote and as such STV’s programme offer still stands."
Craig Oliver, Downing Street director of communications, responded: “We are happy to arrange for the Prime Minister to sit down with some genuinely floating voters. I understand that you would like to do more and if you do not think this is appropriate, we will happily offer the opportunity to the BBC or Sky."
This comes after the editor of the Drum, Gordon Young, on Tuesday came out in favour of Scottish independence - after also affirming his love of England.