SNP AND PLAID MAKE JOINT APPEAL TO BBC TRUST

SNP AND PLAID MAKE JOINT APPEAL TO BBC TRUST

URGENCY OF SITUATION MUST BE RECOGNISED WITH ORAL HEARING

The Leaders of the SNP and Plaid Cymru, Alex Salmond MSP and Ieuan Wyn Jones
AM, have written to the BBC Trust to request an oral hearing to appeal the
BBC Executive’s decision to reject any proposals to include the SNP and
Plaid Cymru from the forthcoming Leaders Debates.

The parties had written to the BBC Executive proposing several measures to
restore political balance to the General Election coverage including the
possibility of a fourth leaders debate featuring five parties including
Plaid Cymru and the SNP - parties of government in Wales and Scotland.

Mr Salmond and Mr Jones are seeking a face-to-face meeting with the Trust
within a timeframe that will allow for adjudication prior to the planned
broadcast on 29 April.

The move was backed by the SNP’s leader at Westminster Angus Robertson MP,
who said:

"From day one, the SNP and Plaid Cymru have argued for fair representation
for Scottish and Welsh voters in the BBC's General Election debate.
Despite our flexibility the BBC has refused to acknowledge that it is
doing a disservice to its Scottish and Welsh viewers and license fee
payers by continuing with this unbalanced proposal.

"In appealing to the BBC Trust - the guardians of the license fee - the
SNP and Plaid Cymru hope to finally get a fair hearing for the voters and
viewers of Scotland and Wales.

"The Trust exists to represent the public's interest in the BBC. They
must review the actions of the BBC's management with a view to restoring
fairness, balance, and a voice for all nations of the UK - not just
England - to the BBC's election coverage.

"The BBC's rejection of the proposed fourth debate is without reason or
rationale and I hope the Trust will recognise the sensible resolution
offered by such a debate.

“The cosy metropolitan consensus between the BBC Executive and the London
parties who agreed to cut Scotland and Wales out of these debates cannot
persist.

Plaid Cymru’s Director of Communications, Elin Jones AM added:

"We are asking the BBC Trust to recognise immediately the urgency of this
matter, the importance and exceptional circumstances of the case and to
grant the SNP the chance to appear in person as soon as possible to appeal
this decision.

“As the scheduled date of broadcast nears, the exclusion of Scotland and
Wales from these debates has become all the more pressing. Both Plaid and
the SNP are ready and willing to present our case in person at the
earliest opportunity.

"Appeals of this nature are rare and we urge the Trust to acknowledge and
act immediately on the important democratic principles at stake here."