BBC considers SNP plan for extra leaders debate to end election row
By Scott Macnab and Lucy Collins
Published: 13/03/2010
The BBC is to consider SNP proposals aimed at resolving the row over the forthcoming general election TV debates after talks yesterday.
The meeting in Edinburgh, which was attended by Alex Salmond, was described afterwards by the corporation’s chief political adviser, Ric Bailey, as constructive.
The SNP said later it had proposed to the BBC an “additional leaders debate” involving the political leaders from the UK-wide debates alongside the SNP and the Welsh nationalists Plaid Cymru on constitutional issues and other issues of concern to Scotland and Wales.
The three presidential-style UK-wide debates – to be hosted by Sky, ITV and the BBC – will feature Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Tory leader David Cameron and Lib Dem counterpart Nick Clegg.
The exclusion of the Nationalists has infuriated party bosses and yesterday’s two-hour meeting was aimed at reaching a resolution. Mr Bailey said afterwards: “They came up with a number of questions and a number of suggestions that I’m going to take away and talk to colleagues on the BBC about.
“We talked to them about the UK debate, but also the debate among the leaders in Scotland, and the things that we’re going to be doing to ensure due impartiality.”
Mr Salmond said later of the “additional leaders” debate: “We await the BBC’s response to this idea before determining our next steps.”
The Nationalists also held talks with ITV.
Mr Salmond added: “As an example of how much thought has been given to the London parties, and how little to Scotland, ITV had not yet determined if they will broadcast the STV debate in the Borders – a move which could exclude a significant part of the Scottish population from the election. ITV have now indicated they will consider this issue.”
The first minister had called for an investigation into the BBC’s decision in a letter to Sir Michael Lyons, chairman of the BBC Trust. He has said the decision has brought into question the “impartiality” of the BBC in advance of the election.
Mr Bailey added: “I made it clear that we were happy to look at any suggestions around the UK-wide debates which they felt were worth looking at.
Mr Salmond and Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones accused the BBC of bias in a joint letter to BBC director-general Mark Thompson earlier this week.