Drumlanrig: BBC | Jackie Baillie’s twitter mix-up

BBC Radio Scotland's flagship Good Morning Scotland programme presenter Gary Robertson. Picture: BBC

Decidedly muddled Aunty loses balance

THINGS get curiouser and curiouser over at Pacific Quay. In a segment on BBC Scotland’s flagship Good Morning Scotland programme last week, Gary Robertson interviewed two “undecided” voters in the independence referendum. It emerged yesterday one of these, businessman Ken Cairnduff, was actually a member of the pro-independence Business for Scotland group.

“He passionately believes that a self-governing nation can prosper,” its website says.

He used his chance on air to call for a debate between David Cameron and Alex Salmond.

Now it emerges the other guest, Orchid Liu, has worked as a researcher for SNP MSP Chic Brodie. To be fair, she came across as genuinely undecided.

But what exactly is the nation’s most respected (ahem) broadcasting outlet up to? You’d think with the gazillions of staff still trotting into work at its Glasgow HQ it might be able to find a couple of undecided voters who are not quite so politically connected.

Former deputy Mullin has mess to sort out

THE BBC’s efforts to mark One Year To Go to the referendum seems to have been too much for some last week.

In one case, self-styled fashionista and pro-UK supporter Tessa Hartmann didn’t turn up for a head-to-head against Indy campaigner Sarah-Jane Walls, forcing a BBC researcher to stand in her shoes.

Aides to Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont were then involved in livid exchanges with Pacific Quay’s finest over why no Labour figure was invited on to a referendum debate panel – despite shadow Scottish Secretary Margaret Curran making herself available. What a mess.

It seems that just about the only thing the two sides in the independence referendum agree on right now is that they both have had enough of Aunty’s handling of the referendum.

Much for BBC Scotland’s new referendum supremo, John Mullin (a former deputy editor of The Scotsman) to consider when he gets his feet under the desk.

MSP’s tweet is sweet success for Bond girl

When Labour’s Jackie Baillie tweeted her congratulations to new Dunfermline candidate Cara Hilton, she mistakenly used the wrong handle.

Instead of linking her tweet with councillor @cara_hilton, she linked to @CaraHilton – the username for a James Bond and Bolton Wanderers fan south of the Border. The “wrong” Cara was thrilled and started outlining policies such as free sweets for the people of Dunfermline. “I am clearly destined to be in power … next stop Number 10,” she tweeted.