AN Ofcom committee will today look into the BBC’s coverage of the Scottish Parliament election after Alex Salmond complained of a “virtual blackout” of his party by the broadcaster.
The Alba Party chief said while not being included in televised Leaders’ Debates is “deplorable”, the lack of coverage has been “even worse”.
“On the odd occasion when they deign to interview Alba representatives, the tone of the interviews has been unremittingly hostile,” he said.
“Aggressive questioning is perfectly acceptable if part of a range of coverage. However, inaccurate smearing is quite another when it dominates the few interviews BBC apparatchiks deign to grant Alba.”
Salmond accused the BBC of having “learnt nothing from their blatant bias of 2014”.
The former First Minister confirmed he had not complained to the media regulator regarding other broadcasters’ coverage, as he feels the likes of STV and others have “at least made some attempt at balance”.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We believe that, to date, we have provided the Alba Party with appropriate and proportionate coverage. We have supplied Ofcom with information on our coverage ahead of the meeting of their Election Committee.”
READ MORE: BBC U-turn and cancel live audience participation in final leaders' debate
Meanwhile Alba declared war on nuclear weapons in Scotland, with every one of its candidates joining a disarmament push.
Trident, the UK’s nuclear deterrent, is currently housed on Scottish soil.
Road convoys to and from HM Naval Base Clyde near Helensburgh move through major arteries and, despite assurances from the Ministry of Defence, Trident critics have repeatedly raised concerns about public safety.
Each Alba candidate will now sign Scottish CND’s pledge to support the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, speak out publicly in favour and – if elected – sign up to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (Ican) parliamentarians’ pledge.
Opposition to the weapons of mass destruction has long been a major feature of independence campaigning in Scotland, with the SNP and Greens both calling for Trident’s removal and urging the UK Government not to spend billions of public money on a replacement.
In a statement, Salmond said: “Any party that I lead will always put nuclear disarmament front and centre.
“Alba fully supports the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. An independent Scotland will be proud to ratify it.”
“I give this undertaking today, on behalf of Alba, that every candidate elected to the Scots Parliament will work to make nuclear disarmament a priority.”
Alba also announced a “step change” policy which would allow 500,000 low-earning households to receive an annual payment of £500.
Every home in receipt of council tax reduction would be eligible for the payment, which Alba say would reduce inequality.
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