SNP may demand end to TV licence fee after party left out of leaders' debate

QUESTIONS were asked last night over whether Scots should continue to be forced to pay the licence fee for the BBC.

• The SNP's Angus Robertson called the snub a 'stitch-up'. Picture: Julie Bull

The SNP has become the latest party to question the role of the BBC and its continued position as the national state broadcaster as part of the fallout over the exclusion of Nationalists in the general election leaders' debates.

Along with Plaid Cymru in Wales, the party has announced that it is to review is entire broadcasting policy, including whether Welsh and Scots should have to pay the licence fee.

The Nationalist decision, confirmed at a meeting of the two parties' parliamentary groups yesterday, has come because of fury over the "arrogant and high-handed" way the corporation's "London chiefs" have dealt with the leaders' debate issue.

The Scotsman understands that the way the Nationalists have been treated by the BBC has left SNP and Plaid politicians "incandescent with anger."

They had received no warning when the details were announced on Tuesday by the broadcasters about how the series of debates would be conducted, and the parties were forced to make holding statements.

The SNP has still not ruled out a legal challenge in the High Court in Scotland to block the broadcasts north of the Border on grounds of proportionality.

So far, the BBC, unlike Sky and ITN, has refused to meet the Nationalists over their exclusion from the leaders debates.

The SNP and Plaid want to discuss how they can receive a balance of 90 minutes lost to them from the leaders' debates.

Party leaders were keen to point out that the issue of the leaders' debates was just the final straw in what they believe is a London-centric organisation providing Scots and Welsh with little value for the 139.50 licence fee.

The recently published King Report highlighted the "metropolitan editorial bias of the broadcasters" and Scottish Broadcasting Commission proposals on greater control of broadcasting, SNP and Plaid parliamentarians have said the time has come to meet the issue head on.

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson MP added:

"This debacle underlines why Scotland and Wales need a strong voice at Westminster. A stitch-up between the London-based BBC management and the London parties has disenfranchised voters in three countries.

"With the cavalier attitude of London establishment continuing, we must devolve broadcasting to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly – where the interests of Scottish and Welsh licencepayers will be a priority, not an afterthought."

A spokesman for the BBC said: "Together with Sky and ITV, we have this week announced that full agreement has been reached on televised prime ministerial debates during the general election campaign.

"The BBC has also announced it is to hold subsequent leaders' debates in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland."