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Salmond to meet BBC over debates Salmond to meet BBC over debates
(20 minutes later)
Senior SNP figures are to meet the BBC and ITV to discuss the row over the party's exclusion from UK-wide televised general election debates.Senior SNP figures are to meet the BBC and ITV 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' Devolved nations
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.
Labour MP David Cairns said: "I think this is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard, even by Alex Salmond's standards.Labour MP David Cairns said: "I think this is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard, even by Alex Salmond's standards.
"To say that if he doesn't get his face on the telly that the election is illegitimate and that the people of Scotland have been disenfranchised is, quiet frankly, bonkers.""To say that if he doesn't get his face on the telly that the election is illegitimate and that the people of Scotland have been disenfranchised is, quiet frankly, bonkers."
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. The SNP is clearly a major party in Scotland but it does not field candidates across the whole of the UK Ric BaileyBBC political adviser
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. The BBC's chief political adviser Ric Bailey said the prime ministerial debates were "incredibly difficult" to put together.
"We will continue to speak to the parties as we develop our plans." He told BBC Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "What we have said was we would have a series of debates.
"There are UK-wide debates, there will be a separate debate by the BBC in Scotland, on top of that we will make sure that around the prime ministerial debate there are lots of other opportunities where other parties, including the SNP, have an opportunity to put their views across.
"That's the key to this: 'Is it fair that the voters in Scotland hear the parties in an appropriate way?' Particularly on UK-wide coverage as well as our channels that broadcast just in Scotland."
Mr Bailey said: "The SNP is clearly a major party in Scotland but it does not field candidates across the whole of the UK.
"So it is important that voters in Scotland have an opportunity to hear the SNP appropriately on UK-wide outlets.
"And they will hear that, not just on our news coverage but on all our channels which broadcast UK wide. there will be plenty of opportunity for people who hear those channels in Scotland to hear the views of the SNP."