THE BBC has been forced to defend Kirsty Wark’s The Trial of Alex Salmond documentary after angry viewers accused the public service broadcaster of bias.
Taking to Twitter, two SNP MPs claimed the documentary tried to put the former First Minister – who was cleared of all charges in March – back on trial.
Yesterday, the corporation insisted the hour-long programme, first shown on Monday night, was a fair telling of the court case.
The documentary was supposed to be a day-by-day account of the two-week trial of Salmond, who was accused of sexually assaulting nine women while he was First Minister.
A jury found him not guilty on 12 of the sexual assault charges facing him, while another was found not proven.
A further charge of sexually assaulting a 10th woman was dropped by prosecutors.
Three of the women who made the allegations against Salmond were interviewed by Wark.
The former party leader declined to take part.
READ MORE: If Alex Salmond can face retrial by BBC TV, why stop there?
Jim Sillars, former deputy leader of the SNP, and MP Kenny MacAskill spoke up for the ex-First Minister.
Responding to the show, SNP MP Angus MacNeil tweeted: “The TV retrial seems to be all about the judge that Kirsty Wark wants to be ... Reminder in the court said Salmond was Not Guilty.”
His Westminster colleague, Douglas Chapman tweeted: “Interesting that with 60 minutes to fill, Kirsty didn’t have time to interview just one defence witness.”
Chris McEleny asked Wark when “part two” of the documentary would air, “you know, the part that shows the actual defence evidence by seven women that resulted in a jury of his peers (majority of which were women) acquitting Alex Salmond of all charges”.
Responding to those who complained, the BBC said: “Alex Salmond has been a senior political figure for many years and his trial and subsequent acquittal was a major news story, which received extensive coverage at the time.
“The outcome was fairly reflected in the programme and would have been known to everyone watching.
“Within that context, the film aimed to examine what impact the trial had had in terms of the me too movement and Scottish politics.
“A range of different views were heard, including authoritative contributors who made points in support of Alex Salmond, such as Jim Sillars and Kenny MacAskill.”
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.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
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
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel