BROADCASTING regulator Ofcom is still assessing a complaint from a National reader over an appearance on BBC Radio by Baroness Ruth Davidson back in February – despite telling us in August its finding would be published this week.
John Parker originally complained after Davidson appeared on the World at One (Wato) ahead of the scheduled – but postponed – appearance by former first minister Alex Salmond before the committee investigating how the Scottish Government handled harassment allegations against him.
England-born Parker – a resident of Wales – said the top-of-the-news story was given around 12 minutes of airtime, and Davidson was allowed more than five minutes to allege institutional corruption and an SNP cover-up, without any serious challenge against her.
He told The National in May he had previously had some success with a complaint to the broadcaster when Lord Nigel Lawson was allowed to make climate denial points, again with no challenge.
Wato featured reports from BBC Scotland editor Sarah Smith and political correspondent Nick Eardley, before Davidson was interviewed.
In the interview she said there were questions over whether Scotland’s democratic institutions were corrupt, which had featured in Eardley’s report.
Parker recorded and transcribed the entire programme segment, and said: “All in all, a very one-sided and tendentious presentation to be making with Holyrood elections just a few weeks away.”
His complaint was rebuffed at every level of the BBC. He then took the issue up with Ofcom, but said he was frustrated that the regulator was taking so long to investigate it.
Ofcom told us last month it finding would be published in a fortnightly bulletin on August 31, the day after the bank holiday weekend.
It did not appear and, when we spoke to Ofcom they said the complaint was still being assessed.
Parker said: “Whenever I look at the Ofcom website, I see many investigations launched, complaints assessed and decisions made on broadcasts occurring much later than 28 February 21.
“For me the February 28 World at One item was a disgrace, and the BBC should be held to account for it.”
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