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Salmond to meet BBC over debates BBC to 'look at' SNP debate ideas
(about 11 hours 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. Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond wants to see a fourth "leaders" debate which would include the SNP and Welsh Nationalists Plaid Cymru.
Among those attending the Edinburgh talks will be SNP leader Alex Salmond, Scotland's first minister. Mr Salmond met BBC executives over his exclusion from the three 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". The BBC said the discussions were "very useful and constructive" and it would look at Mr Salmond's proposal.
But the corporation's chief political adviser Ric Bailey insisted there would be plenty of opportunities for the SNP to be heard during the election campaign.
Talk to colleagues
Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Conservative leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat chief Nick Clegg are due to take part in the debates in the run-up to the general election.
The exclusion of the SNP infuriated party chiefs.
The two-hour meeting in Edinburgh was held to tackle issues raised by the SNP.
Mr Bailey said: "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 about all the things that we're going to be doing during the campaign to ensure due impartiality."
Mr Salmond has claimed the exclusion of the SNP and Plaid Cymru called into question "the impartiality of the BBC in advance of the general election".
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 David CairnsLabour MP
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.
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 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, the SNP leader 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, the SNP leader 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.
'Frankly bonkers'
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."
Conservative David Mundell MP said: "What Alex Salmond seems incapable of admitting is that he isn't even standing as a candidate in this British general election.
"There is absolutely no prospect of him being Prime Minister, therefore, he has no part to play in these prime ministerial debates."
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.
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
The BBC's chief political adviser Ric Bailey said the prime ministerial debates were "incredibly difficult" to put together.
He told BBC Radio'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."
He said the key was whether voters in Scotland would hear the parties in an appropriate way.
"The SNP is clearly a major party in Scotland but it does not field candidates across the whole of the UK," he added.
"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."