BBC's James Cook condemns Twitter abuse in wake of SNP Sturgeon report
BBC journalist James Cook has hit out at the “vicious abuse” he received after questioning Nicola Sturgeon about a Telegraph report that she said she would prefer to see the Conservative Party win the general election.
Sparking Cook’s line of questioning was a leaked memo in which SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon was quoted saying she would prefer David Cameron to remain in power after the general election in order to help her consolidate Scotland against Tory austerity measures.
Cook said that he had spoken to members of the SNP who could see a Conservative win in the general election as a catalyst for Scottish independence in a TV interview.
Sturgeon did not comment on the accusation stating she did not know whether or not it was true.
Here's the @Telegraph story claiming @NicolaSturgeon told the French ambassador she would prefer David Cameron as PM. http://t.co/a1qHswMKK3
— James Cook (@BBCJamesCook) April 3, 2015
Spokesman for the French ambassador tells me @NicolaSturgeon did not express a preference for next British prime minister or government.
— James Cook (@BBCJamesCook) April 3, 2015
Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service Sir Jeremy Heywood confirms he has ordered a leak inquiry into the @NicolaSturgeon memo.
— James Cook (@BBCJamesCook) April 4, 2015
What an extraordinary level of vicious abuse I have received today for simply reporting the news. Is this the country we want folks? Is it?
— James Cook (@BBCJamesCook) April 4, 2015
OF COURSE there are some SNP strategists - I know, I've spoken to them - who say in private a Tory victory would hasten independence.
— James Cook (@BBCJamesCook) April 4, 2015
OF COURSE I should ask tough questions of politicians. This is a democracy. This is my role in it. We're the poorer without challenge.
— James Cook (@BBCJamesCook) April 4, 2015
OF COURSE I should ask tough questions of politicians. This is a democracy. This is my role in it. We're the poorer without challenge.
— James Cook (@BBCJamesCook) April 4, 2015
And finally if, despite my 23 years of reporting things straight, you think I simply make up conversations then do feel free to unfollow me.
— James Cook (@BBCJamesCook) April 4, 2015
Following the social media backlash, Sturgeon addressed Cook's critics.
For the record and IMO @BBCJamesCook is one of the best journalists in Scotland. Tough but scrupulously fair and a consummate professional
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) April 4, 2015
NUJ Scotland also condemned the criticism.
Robust interviewing by James Cook meant Nicola Sturgeon could give an equally robust response, not acceptable to then abuse the journalist
— NUJ Scotland (@NUJScotland) April 5, 2015People may have concerns about Telegraph story but James Cook shouldn't be brunt of that frustration for doing his job in moving story on
— NUJ Scotland (@NUJScotland) April 5, 2015NUJ Scotland welcomes FM's support for @BBCJamesCook as a "scrupulously fair and consummate professional"
— NUJ Scotland (@NUJScotland) April 5, 2015Cabinet secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood has since launched an inquiry into how Sturgeon’s supposed conversation with the French ambassador ended up in the Telegraph’s hands.
Following the report, the Telegraph came under fire on Twitter with social media users calling into questioning its political impartiality.