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Election 2015: Sinn Féin, DUP, SDLP and Alliance want to join TV debates Election 2015: NI parties not included in TV election debate plans
(about 1 hour later)
Four political parties from the Northern Ireland Assembly would be willing to take part in TV election debates. New proposals for TV election debates do not include parties from Northern Ireland, it has been confirmed.
It is understood broadcasters have put forward proposals that would include the SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Greens. The plans by broadcasters feature two debates with seven parties, including UKIP, SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Greens.
Earlier, four parties with Northern Ireland MPs said they would be willing to take part.
DUP leader Peter Robinson said he would write to the BBC and ITV to ask why his party has not been included, in spite of being fourth largest at Westminster.DUP leader Peter Robinson said he would write to the BBC and ITV to ask why his party has not been included, in spite of being fourth largest at Westminster.
Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance have all said they should be involved.Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance have all said they should be involved.
Sinn Féin said it would "challenge any attempt to discriminate against us. The new proposals include plans for two debates featuring the leaders of the Conservatives, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, UKIP, SNP, Green Party and Plaid Cymru.
There are also plans for one debate between David Cameron and Ed Miliband.
'Equal basis'
Sinn Féin said it would "challenge any attempt to discriminate against us".
"Sinn Féin will take every opportunity to present and promote its policies and positions," a party spokesman said."Sinn Féin will take every opportunity to present and promote its policies and positions," a party spokesman said.
SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell said that if one smaller party is included they all should.SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell said that if one smaller party is included they all should.
Alliance's sole MP Naomi Long said that if the TV debates pool was widened it should be done on a equal basis.Alliance's sole MP Naomi Long said that if the TV debates pool was widened it should be done on a equal basis.
Prime Minister David Cameron has refused to take part in the debates unless the Green Party is included.Prime Minister David Cameron has refused to take part in the debates unless the Green Party is included.
On Friday, the DUP's deputy leader Nigel Dodds told BBC's Daily Politics show that it would see what Ofcom and broadcasters have to say and then consider legal action.On Friday, the DUP's deputy leader Nigel Dodds told BBC's Daily Politics show that it would see what Ofcom and broadcasters have to say and then consider legal action.