THE BBC has written to The National, responding to our story on two young SNP activists who were "ambushed" on BBC Radio 5.
Young Scots for Independence members Laura Pollock, 20, and Steven Campbell, 22, were invited on to Nihal Arthanayake's Radio 5 Live show ahead of Nicola Sturgeon's SNP conference speech.
READ MORE: BBC presenter who 'ambushed' young SNP pair doubles down
However, they accused the BBC of "lying", as despite being told they would be asked what they were hoping for in her speech, they were instead grilled on everything from mental health provision to teaching statistics – with the presenter citing out-of-date figures.
Now, the BBC has written to The National saying it "regrets" if Pollock and Campbell found the experience stressful.
A BBC Radio 5 Live spokesperson said: "Writing in response to your story about the BBC Radio 5 Live broadcast with SNP youth delegates from Aberdeen on Tuesday, we would like to point out that the interview was fixed in good faith but ended up running longer than we expected, because the First Minister’s speech was delayed during a live broadcast. We accept that the guests were not there to answer detailed questions on party policy and regret if they found this stressful
"The production team were not aware they were upset, especially as they both returned after the speech to answer more questions. When we became aware (the following day), we tried to make contact with them to check on them and had a debrief conversation with one. We always seek to be balanced and fair in our dealings, so it is unfortunate that they feel this way, and we will take their feedback on board."
LISTEN: Here's the interview with SNP youngsters BBC say was 'cordial and fair'
Campbell committed himself to returning after the speech as he felt he had to make amends, researching facts as he watched Nicola Sturgeon's speech.
However, the BBC cancelled that follow-up, saying the First Minister had overrun.
Asked what he would say to the BBC earlier this week, Campbell told us:
“You’ve shown yourself up for the liars that you are. I have defended the BBC before from bias, but this is just – now that I’ve experienced it …
“And I want to say to them you just knocked somebody’s confidence, someone who has suffered with bad social anxiety in the past, you’ve knocked their confidence for a reason I don’t understand.
“I hope you’re proud of yourself. I have a No-voting friend, and she said to me directly because of what the BBC did she’s going to be voting Yes. It’s backfired on them.”
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