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SNP legal threat over TV debate SNP legal threat over TV debate
(about 2 hours later)
The Scottish National Party are refusing to rule out legal action over plans for three election debates between the main UK party leaders.The Scottish National Party are refusing to rule out legal action over plans for three election debates between the main UK party leaders.
The BBC and Sky have promised to hold separate debates between the parties in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.The BBC and Sky have promised to hold separate debates between the parties in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
But the SNP and Plaid Cymru have attacked their exclusion from the main UK-wide prime ministerial debates as unacceptable and undemocratic.But the SNP and Plaid Cymru have attacked their exclusion from the main UK-wide prime ministerial debates as unacceptable and undemocratic.
SNP leader Alex Salmond says he will fight it in the courts if necessary.SNP leader Alex Salmond says he will fight it in the courts if necessary.
The first of the 90 minute programmes, with Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Conservative leader David Cameron and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg will be on ITV, the second on Sky and the third on the BBC.The first of the 90 minute programmes, with Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Conservative leader David Cameron and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg will be on ITV, the second on Sky and the third on the BBC.
ITV's Alastair Stewart will host the first, Sky's Adam Boulton the second and the BBC's David Dimbleby will host the third debate.ITV's Alastair Stewart will host the first, Sky's Adam Boulton the second and the BBC's David Dimbleby will host the third debate.
'Undemocratic''Undemocratic'
The format will be the same for each, although about half of each debate will be themed.The format will be the same for each, although about half of each debate will be themed.
There will be separate debates held in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland among all the main parties, which will be broadcast on BBC Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and across the UK on the BBC News Channel.There will be separate debates held in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland among all the main parties, which will be broadcast on BBC Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and across the UK on the BBC News Channel.
It is understood Sky News will hold debates in Scotland and Wales.It is understood Sky News will hold debates in Scotland and Wales.
The SNP have pointed out that the courts prevented the BBC from broadcasting an interview with the then prime minister John Major during Scottish local elections in the 1990s, and Alex Salmond has made it clear that legal action could be on the cards again this time.The SNP have pointed out that the courts prevented the BBC from broadcasting an interview with the then prime minister John Major during Scottish local elections in the 1990s, and Alex Salmond has made it clear that legal action could be on the cards again this time.
Mr Salmond said he would be seeking "guarantees of inclusion from the broadcasters, given their inescapable duty to ensure fairness and impartiality in election-related coverage in Scotland".Mr Salmond said he would be seeking "guarantees of inclusion from the broadcasters, given their inescapable duty to ensure fairness and impartiality in election-related coverage in Scotland".
He added: "It is entirely unacceptable to Scotland as well as to the SNP for the broadcasters to exclude the party that forms the government of Scotland - and indeed is now leading in Westminster election polls."He added: "It is entirely unacceptable to Scotland as well as to the SNP for the broadcasters to exclude the party that forms the government of Scotland - and indeed is now leading in Westminster election polls."
And Plaid Cymru's Westminster leader Elfyn Llwyd said it was "completely undemocratic" as it would give the main parties an unfair advantage. He said he would complain to the Electoral Commission.And Plaid Cymru's Westminster leader Elfyn Llwyd said it was "completely undemocratic" as it would give the main parties an unfair advantage. He said he would complain to the Electoral Commission.
"Both Plaid Cymru and the SNP are in government in the respective devolved administrations and it is an insult that such important political voices are to be left out of such a historic event," he said."Both Plaid Cymru and the SNP are in government in the respective devolved administrations and it is an insult that such important political voices are to be left out of such a historic event," he said.
Parties hoping to gain their first seat at Westminster are also understood to be upset by the format of the debates.
A Green Party spokesman said: "Why on earth shouldn't [Green Party leader] Caroline Lucas be part of it, when she has obviously got so much to say and when a significant portion of the electorate support what she has to say?"
He added: "We are taking this as seriously as you might expect us to.
"We believe that with our proven track record of support and our distinctive agenda we should be part of any such debate."
'Delighted''Delighted'
The leaders of the three main parties at Westminster have each welcomed the chance to take part in what will be a first for a general election in Britain.The leaders of the three main parties at Westminster have each welcomed the chance to take part in what will be a first for a general election in Britain.
Speaking at a public meeting, Conservative leader David Cameron said: "I have always believed in live television debates.Speaking at a public meeting, Conservative leader David Cameron said: "I have always believed in live television debates.
"I think they can help enliven our democracy, I think they will help answer people's questions, I think they will crystallise the debate about the change this country needs.""I think they can help enliven our democracy, I think they will help answer people's questions, I think they will crystallise the debate about the change this country needs."
Liberal Democrat leader Mr Clegg said he was "delighted".Liberal Democrat leader Mr Clegg said he was "delighted".
"After a terrible year for politicians because of the expenses scandals, these debates will be an opportunity to start re-engaging people with politics... I hope an open, honest and vigorous debate will encourage more people to have their say at the ballot box.""After a terrible year for politicians because of the expenses scandals, these debates will be an opportunity to start re-engaging people with politics... I hope an open, honest and vigorous debate will encourage more people to have their say at the ballot box."
The prime minister told the Daily Mirror: "I relish the opportunity provided by these debates to discuss the big choices the country faces.The prime minister told the Daily Mirror: "I relish the opportunity provided by these debates to discuss the big choices the country faces.
"Choices like whether we lock in the recovery or whether we choke it off; whether we protect the NHS, schools and police or whether we put them at risk to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy few.""Choices like whether we lock in the recovery or whether we choke it off; whether we protect the NHS, schools and police or whether we put them at risk to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy few."
The election is widely expected to be held on Thursday 6 May although there has been speculation that it could be called for 25 March instead.The election is widely expected to be held on Thursday 6 May although there has been speculation that it could be called for 25 March instead.