The SNP has said that the BBC must “rectify a gross imbalance” over the representation they have on their political shows.
In a statement, Keith Brown, the SNP's depute leader accused the corporation of 'selective storytelling'
It comes after the Lib Dems had more than double the amount of SNP appearances on the broadcaster’s main political shows throughout September.
Data reported in our sister paper The National, showed the Lib Dems had 22 guests slots to the SNP's 10 with the Lib Dem conference being part of the reason for more guest slots. However, the SNP is now calling for the coverage to be matched during their own party conference which starts this weekend in Aberdeen.
READ MORE: BBC Question Time slammed after former UKIP candidate makes audience appearance for third time
Keith Brown, the SNP’s depute leader, told The National: “The BBC’s great excitement with the LibDems is an odd thing. The perennial General Election losers of UK politics being on the BBC over twice as much as the SNP – who have twice as many MPs than the LibDems – is a curious situation.
“This selective storytelling which benefited the LibDems on these programmes was mirrored at times by BBC network news coverage in September too.
“Last month the LibDems had their conference. Now, this Sunday, Monday and Tuesday the SNP’s conference is on in Aberdeen and we will be looking to the BBC to begin to rectify this gross imbalance.”
Brown also suggested that the BBC was “masking” the true number of Tory-aligned figures appearing on Newsnight.
READ MORE: BBC Question Time criticised over balance as panel show visits Elgin
Brown said: “At first glance, it looks like the BBC’s key political programmes have woken up to the fact that being dominated by Tory politicians is totally disproportionate – but the inclusion of an army of former Tory SPADs on Newsnight is a notable if rather dull development which masks the figures.”
Across shows such as Andrew Neil’s Wednesday evening show, Andrew Marr, Newsnight, Politics Live and Question Time, the Tories had a total of 55 slots, Labour 42, SNP, 10, the Brexit party seven, DUP three, Change UK two and both Plaid Cymru and the Greens one.
The BBC declined a request to respond to Brown’s remarks when contacted by The National.
The National originally ran this story. To read their story in full visit their site.
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