CHANNEL 4 have faced a barrage of criticism online after The National revealed the SNP had been locked out of a flagship Brexit debate on TV tonight.
An inside source claims the broadcaster had pursued Nicola Sturgeon, but editors cut off contact after party bosses questioned who else was to appear on the panel.
If you're wondering who else will be appearing on the show, the answer is obviously ex-leader of UKIP Nigel Farage.
Twitter users are not happy with the decision.
Poor show from @Channel4 ....thought it was trying to shed its metro-centric image....Channel 4 shut out the SNP from flagship Brexit TV debate | The National https://t.co/GeSSwMuDzF
— Michael Russell (@Feorlean) November 5, 2018
Not YOU Scotland! https://t.co/jR3PTfPJe9
— Yes Stockbridge (@Yes_Stockbridge) November 5, 2018
@Channel4 and @Channel4News are broadcasting a Brexit debate tonight without representation from Scotland.
— Gordon Neish (@HaroldWragg) November 5, 2018
I thought the channel was better than this.
Full English Brexit indeed...
Thoughts, @Detroit67Book ?
I am a regular view of @Channel4News and a big fan of the team over there. I trust them but I feel like this is a breach of trust. Hopefully, they will do the right thing. @cathynewman @MichaelLCrick @krishgm @jonsnowC4
— John Silver 🏴☠️ (@JohnSilver_1715) November 4, 2018
That's ridiculous. Maybe they think we'll be Independent soon. https://t.co/ruU2X1ygsK
— Pat Byrne (@glasgowswestend) November 5, 2018
Really, is there anyone that's surprised? Only people in the world that ever voted to be insignificant. That's how we'll be treated. https://t.co/YDyU57Y5Da
— Benarmine (@benarmine1) November 4, 2018
@Channel4 not good to shut out the third biggest party and the elected Scottish Government . https://t.co/qo8kBzJhDy
— Fiona Harrison (@fionahtweet) November 4, 2018
@Channel4News - how can this "debate" have any credibility? Nigel Farage represents only himself yet he is given a voice while Scotland's biggest political party is refused the same. How can non-Scots understand why we voted Remain if the RUK isn't allowed to hear us? https://t.co/iioKHA2kY3
— Clare Donaldson (@Cladonal) November 4, 2018
Channel 4 news anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy tried to address the criticism...
Hi. It’s not @Channel4News , and no Lib Dem. It’s a prog about what voters think not a TV debate. Guests are govt and official opp (the only two who would steer UK through to Brexit date), People’s Vote and Leave Means Leave (cross party groups).
— Krishnan Guru-Murthy (@krishgm) November 5, 2018
...but only raised more questions, such as why wasn't somebody else from the SNP not invited?
The headline is not wrong. You're having a major Brexit debate in which Scotland – which overwhelmingly backed Remain – isn't represented. You insisted it was Nicola or nothing from the SNP but accepted C-listers from Labour and the Tories. https://t.co/BPFgzZIAfx
— The National (@ScotNational) November 5, 2018
C4 chief exec Alex Mahon said earlier this year: "With [our] new strategy we will go even further to make sure that people right across the UK are represented on screen".
— The National (@ScotNational) November 5, 2018
Advised this is not resp of @Channel4News. Good to know but point still stands & saying @NicolaSturgeon invited on not good enough. She’s party leader, FM of Scotland & has a country to run. May & Corbyn not on panel. @theSNP has plenty of other MSPs & MPs https://t.co/JWfSJDHjCP
— Joanna Cherry QC MP (@joannaccherry) November 5, 2018
Ok but viewers will see this as a programme with party political representation. If not Nicola then @Feorlean has done a Stirling job as @scotgov #brexit negotiator? The Scottish point of view here is key, otherwise this is just an English debate (sorry Wales).
— Michael Gill (@Gillymg) November 5, 2018
C4 should have invited Michael Russell on (not Nicola Sturgeon) as he is the Scottish government's Brexit minister - no wonder folks in Scotland are increasingly frustrated and angry with this whole debacle as we are swept along regardless and impotent
— Mrs McMarple (@MrsMcMarple) November 5, 2018
Without the SNP, your debate fails to reflect the very distinctive referendum outcome in Scotland and the political implications of that. Or is your 'national' debate really only about England? What Scottish voters think about Brexit matters.
— Graeme Purves (@GASPurves) November 5, 2018
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
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The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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