Live televised debates will be a key area for Yes Scotland's bid to win the independence referendum, according to the campaign group's chief executive Blair Jenkins.

The Yes side can draw on "talent" such as First Minister Alex Salmond and his deputy Nicola Sturgeon, Mr Jenkins argued, while rivals Better Together are "looking around for the least worst option".

Mr Jenkins, a former head of news and current affairs at the BBC, told an audience at a referendum event at Glasgow University tonight that broadcasting would present an "enormous opportunity" in the final weeks of the campaign.

Mr Salmond has repeatedly challenged the Prime Minister to a live debate, while Better Together leader Alistair Darling has said he is ready to go head to head with the First Minister.

Mr Jenkins said: "I think broadcasting is an enormous opportunity - it is one of the key areas where we are going to win this referendum.

"In the final four, five, six weeks, those big broadcasting debates are going to be enormously important.

"I am just so much happier we have the talent we have in the Yes campaign.

"Better Together are having real, real problems about who they are putting into (television) studios.

"I think in terms of finding people who are compelling, convincing and likeable, I think they are looking around for the least worst option."

Mr Jenkins also defended his former employer against accusations of political bias.

During the question and answer session with Yes supporters and undecided voters, he said: "I am not happy and I am not satisfied with everything I see coming from the BBC, but I accept that mistakes are made and sometimes the wrong decisions are made.

"From my own experience of the BBC, the notion of some sort of systemic, corporation wide agenda to do us down is just not right."

Mr Jenkins answered questions on a range of issues related to independence at the event, held on the eve of the 16-week regulated referendum campaign period.

Asked by one audience member whether "the gloves should come off" during the final phase of the campaign, the Yes Scotland chief executive stressed the "positivity" of the Yes campaign.