The BBC has been accused of "routinely and deliberately" ignoring the SNP after it was claimed two of Ian Blackford's speeches were cut from their coverage of yesterday’s key Brexit vote.
The National newspaper reported that the incidents happened on the broadcaster's 24-hour news channel and and the main BBC news channel as MPs were debating ahead of the meaningful vote on the Prime Minister’s revised Brexit deal.
A spokesman for the BBC said the speech had been broadcast in full on BBC Parliament and a wide range of voices were heard during its coverage.
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Referring to a review currently being carried out by Ofcom into the BBC’s news and current affairs output, the SNP’s depute leader Keith Brown said it was “no wonder the BBC bosses are under scrutiny” for “continually and consistently” marginalising Scotland.
Brown said: “The BBC routinely and deliberately ignores the SNP. It is ridiculous that Ian Blackford is treated this way. The corporation’s obsession with the Westminster bubble means they continually and consistently marginalise Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“The time for apologies is over, the BBC needs root and branch reform of its news operation and we welcome Ofcom’s intervention.”
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A BBC spokesman said: “Mr Blackford’s speech was broadcast in full on BBC Parliament and parts were shown on BBC One and the news channel during our BBC News Brexit Special.
“A broad range of voices appeared on our coverage across various platforms throughout the day – including Stephen Gethins [the SNP spokesman on International Affairs Europe] on the BBC news channel – in what was a fast paced breaking news story”.
Visit the National's website to read the story in full.
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