BBC'S EXCLUSION OF SNP AND PLAID A "DEMOCRATIC DISGRACE"

BBC'S EXCLUSION OF SNP AND PLAID A "DEMOCRATIC DISGRACE"

CORPORATION HAS "JETTISONED 80 YEARS OF IMPARTIALITY" - SALMOND


Responding to the BBC Trust's decision today (Thu) to reject the SNP and
Plaid Cymru's appeal against the Corporation's decision to exclude the
parties from its election leaders' debate, party leader and First Minister
Alex Salmond said:

"The exclusion of the SNP and Plaid Cymru, parties of Government in
Scotland and Wales, from the election leaders' debates, is a democratic
disgrace.

"Today's decision shows that the BBC has given up all pretence of being a
national broadcaster for Scotland. Fairness and impartiality have been
thrown out of the window in what amounts to blatant discrimination against
both parties and both countries.

"The Corporation has jettisoned more than 80 years of impartiality for the
electoral convenience of the London-based parties.

"There can no longer be any question that the leaders' debates are
dominating the election campaign, but licence fee payers in Scotland and
Wales are being short-changed as the result of an undemocratic carve-up
which cuts both nations out of the picture.

"With today's decision, the BBC has proved it is part of the same
discredited establishment machine as the Westminster parties which the
electorate are raging against."