Scottish and Welsh nationalists accused the BBC of being “politically compromised” over the arrangements for televised election debates.
The SNP and Plaid Cymru are furious at the decision to exclude them from three televised debates involving the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats leaders, and yesterday SNP leader Alex Salmond and Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones wrote to BBC director general Mark Thompson accusing the state broadcaster of bias.
“You will be aware that your own guidelines as well as Ofcom’s code of practice does not entitle your organisation to have unfettered discretion in how you comply with your duty to impartiality during a UK general election,” they wrote.
“Your correspondence with our parties does however lead us to believe that the discretion you have exercised to date in relation to your planned coverage of the 2010 UK general election is in breach of your obligations with respect to due impartiality.”
They have also written to the international Press complaining of their treatment.
Labour MP and former Scotland office minister David Cairns said, “I think Alex Salmond is losing the plot. His comments today show he isn’t even in control of the facts of the matter.”
He added, “Mr Salmond hates the BBC because he hates all things British, but his latest assault on the nation’s favourite broadcaster is now embarrassing the office of the first minister itself.
“He is attempting to bully an independent broadcaster in a way and style which I do not think a government minister has ever done before.”
The BBC said, “We have clearly set out the agreement reached on the televised prime ministerial debates during the general election campaign, including how impartiality will be achieved.
“The BBC has also announced it is to hold subsequent leaders’ debates in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, part of a range of measures to ensure that the SNP, Plaid Cymru, Northern Ireland and other parties have appropriate opportunities to be heard. We will continue to speak to the parties as we develop our plans.”
Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg are due to take part in the three main debates, which will be hosted by Sky News, ITV and the BBC.
All three sessions will be held at locations in England.
Special debates are also being scheduled in Scotland and Wales.