Jeremy Paxman: Cross-Border Newsnight skirmisher

FOR 22 years, Jeremy Paxman, has presented Newsnight where he has earned a formidable reputation for skewering politicians, and, according to sources within Newsnight Scotland, at times, his own northern colleagues.

Ever since the launch of Newsnight Scotland in 1999 it’s been said that Paxman has seen the Scottish programme as little more than an irritant, as it requires him to end interviews punctually at 11pm, to provide a break in which BBC Scotland can cut in. It has been alleged he would deliberately allow interviews to over run thus frustrating the Scots. We thought we’d ask him if this was true.

“You were very antagonistic about Newsnight Scotland in the early days,” I say. “Did you deliberately miss the link when you were supposed to hand over?”

“No. No. No. But that is a very good example of exactly…”

“Everyone thought you did.”

“Complete drivel.”

“Newsnight Scotland thought you did.”

“Of course they did. I know that.”

“You are a trained professional. If you have to hit a cue at 11 o’clock, you do it.”

“Yes, but it is the active seeking out of offence.”

“I would disagree. You are the biggest figure on Newsnight, and Newsnight Scotland is trying to get going and if you considered it an irritation and had the power to breeze over it…”

“You are making an accusation and I am saying it is not true.

“It may well be that due to incompetence or something one did miss a junction by a few seconds occasionally. I don’t know. But I assure you it was not by design.

“As far as I am concerned, if they want to opt out of the whole of Newsnight that is fine, but don’t mess up the rest of the programme for this thing that occurs at, what time does it come on? 11 o’clock. I just don’t understand it, if you look at the audience figures, the relationship between the two sections, why the whole thing should be conditioned by the needs of a pretty small number – I can’t remember what the figures are…”

“50,000” (The actual figure for August is 60,000)

“Is that what they claim?” he laughs. “It is not intentional. But in my opinion if Newsnight Scotland came on at 10:30 and went on until 11:20 that would probably be preferable. I understand why there is this readiness … no I don’t understand why there is this readiness to take offence. I observe that it happens.”

Despite reports of sinking ratings, Paxman resolutely defends Newsnight, which can regularly drop by a further 200,000 when he is absent: “I do think there is no point in pretending that it is equally enjoyable and exciting every night… If it is as good twice and less good once in a five-day week that strikes me as as good as it is ever going to get. In that context you have got to kiss quite a few frogs to get the occasional prince, but I would defend everything we have done.”