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Salmond to meet BBC over debates Salmond to meet BBC over debates
(10 minutes later)
Senior SNP figures are to meet the BBC to discuss the row over the party's exclusion from UK-wide televised general election debates.Senior SNP figures are to meet the BBC to discuss the row over the party's exclusion from UK-wide televised general election debates.
Among those attending the Edinburgh talks will be SNP leader Alex Salmond, Scotland's first minister.Among those attending the Edinburgh talks will be SNP leader Alex Salmond, Scotland's first minister.
Mr Salmond is angry that he will not be able to take part in the presidential-style debates which are to be hosted by the BBC, Sky News and ITV.Mr Salmond is angry that he will not be able to take part in the presidential-style debates which are to be hosted by the BBC, Sky News and ITV.
The debates will be held between the leaders of the three main UK parties.The debates will be held between the leaders of the three main UK parties.
Mr Salmond has claimed the exclusion of the SNP and Welsh nationalist party Plaid Cymru called into question "the impartiality of the BBC in advance of the general election".Mr Salmond has claimed the exclusion of the SNP and Welsh nationalist party Plaid Cymru called into question "the impartiality of the BBC in advance of the general election".
And he has criticised the decision to draw audience members for the three debates from within 30 miles of the English cities where they are to be filmed.And he has criticised the decision to draw audience members for the three debates from within 30 miles of the English cities where they are to be filmed.
'Mislead viewers''Mislead viewers'
This effectively excluded "the direct participation of licence fee payers from nations, regions and communities of the UK", Mr Salmond said.This effectively excluded "the direct participation of licence fee payers from nations, regions and communities of the UK", Mr Salmond said.
The first minister stated that the debates between Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Tory leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg would "effectively disenfranchise the people of Scotland and cannot do anything other than mislead viewers in Scotland due to the number of topics which will not be applicable to the situation here".The first minister stated that the debates between Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Tory leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg would "effectively disenfranchise the people of Scotland and cannot do anything other than mislead viewers in Scotland due to the number of topics which will not be applicable to the situation here".
Mr Salmond and the Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones accused the BBC of bias in a joint letter to BBC director general Mark Thompson on Thursday.Mr Salmond and the Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones accused the BBC of bias in a joint letter to BBC director general Mark Thompson on Thursday.
Last week, he questioned whether the broadcaster was the "British Broadcasting Corporation or the English Broadcasting Corporation", and claimed the BBC was running the risk of alienating viewers in the devolved nations.Last week, he questioned whether the broadcaster was the "British Broadcasting Corporation or the English Broadcasting Corporation", and claimed the BBC was running the risk of alienating viewers in the devolved nations.
Although all three party leader debates are to be held in England, special debates are also being scheduled for Scotland and Wales as part of efforts to ensure balance.Although all three party leader debates are to be held in England, special debates are also being scheduled for Scotland and Wales as part of efforts to ensure balance.
A BBC spokeswoman said the corporation had clearly set out the agreement reached on the televised Prime Ministerial Debates, including how impartiality would be achieved.
She added: "The BBC has also announced it is to hold subsequent leaders' debates in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, part of a range of measures to ensure that the SNP, Plaid Cymru, Northern Ireland and other parties have appropriate opportunities to be heard.
"We will continue to speak to the parties as we develop our plans."