SSP given green light to describe Blair as a liar

THE Scottish Socialists were yesterday given permission to describe Tony Blair as a liar on national television.

Scottish Television and Grampian had objected to the contents of an SSP election broadcast because of its claims that the Prime Minister lied over Iraq.

The television companies demanded changes to the broadcast, but yesterday they backed down in the face of a legal challenge from the SSP and allowed the film to be broadcast, uncut.

In a statement, both companies, part of the media group SMG, said they were satisfied that the broadcast by the SSP fell within the rules. It was screened last night.

The SSP hailed the move as a victory but criticised TV station managers for leaving the decision so late.

"What is galling is that the delay in backing down from their ridiculous attempt at censorship has cost us in the region of 1,000," said Tommy Sheridan, the SSP leader.

"We have had to instruct junior counsel to prepare a petition to be presented in the Court of Session to seek a judicial review, should STV and Grampian have refused to show our broadcast."

The broadcast takes the form of a short drama featuring a woman who wants to lie in her bed instead of voting but can’t sleep because her conscience is troubling her.

It says, in part: "You’re quite happy to lie there and let Blair get away with murder, the man who lied through his teeth to us about Iraq."

Mr Sheridan said the party had originally been told by lawyers for STV and Grampian that the reference to Mr Blair was "on the face of it, defamatory", and they required either proof or confirmation that the SSP would edit or delete the reference.

"We have not provided evidence other than what is obvious to most people in Scotland, that Tony Blair has lied," he said. "As far as we are concerned, this is a victory for free speech, not just for the SSP but for politicians who wish to make statements."