Rangers say they will not ‘resume discussions’ aimed at ending a long-running feud with the BBC after the corporation moved to reinstate pundit Michael Stewart.
The former Scotland midfielder was placed on ‘indefinite hiatus’ by the broadcaster following comments made about Rangers PR chief Jim Traynor on the February 3 edition of Sportsound.
Stewart accused Traynor of leaking stories to the press about Alfredo Morelos among a host of other issues following controversy around the Colombian forward’s time in Scotland.
READ MORE: Questions remain over a return for Michael Stewart after Sportscene absence
The BBC said on Tuesday that Stewart was “available for selection” after being reminded of broadcasting guidelines around ‘fairness and accuracy’.
But Rangers said the decision has done little to improve relations between the club and the corporation - who have had no presence at Ibrox since late 2015.
In a statement issued to the Scottish Sun, the Ibrox club say that the decision to reinstate Stewart proves that the Beeb "has no wish to resolve our long-standing issues".
The statement read: "We note BBC Scotland’s comment about Michael Stewart and we also note they have had to remind him about their guidelines around fairness and accuracy.
"That they have had to do so, makes it clear he was neither fair nor accurate during his outburst which was broadcast on radio.
"It is important to remember that during that broadcast he was dismissive of any racist behaviour towards Alfredo Morelos during the last Old Firm match.
READ MORE: Michael Stewart to return to BBC programming and radio after Traynor rant
"That the BBC is now happy to allow this contributor a return to their platforms even though he has shown no remorse or offered an apology to Rangers, Alfredo Morelos, or James Traynor, who has been attacked online and also physically, defies belief.
"This also tells us that BBC Scotland has no wish to resolve our long-standing issues, which are of course around fairness and accuracy.
"In light of this Rangers will not now resume discussions on resolving those issues with the BBC."
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